Covid/Mask Issue w/Medical Provider Rant

[NewIma]

So as I mentioned in another thread, last week I got a bad ear infection. On Friday I went to my doctor. They said they had protocols in place. Patients wait in their cars until the masked nurse comes to get them. Given this, I am not concerned (more than usual anyway). I go in to the room and the doctor comes in completely unmasked!! I was in shock. When I got home dh and I decided we should start looking for a new doctor. 

Fast forward 4 days, my ear infection isn't better and I obviously haven't found a new doctor yet. I call my doctor to schedule another appointment and ask the receptionist to request the doctor wear a mask. She said that he won't!!!!!!  Can you believe that!?!  I told her to cancel the appointment and I would figure something else out.

After I got off the phone I called the health department and filed a complaint.

I then spent all morning on the phone finding an ent who could see me soon and then getting a referral to said ent from my ob-gyn because I can't ask my regular doctor at this point. Insanity.

Can you believe it?!? I still can't really. What doctor won't wear a mask, even if the patient asks?!? And it seems extra deceptive with how they make you wait in the car etc. so you think they are taking it seriously until the doctor walks in...

Edited September 29, 2020 by NewIma

[Jean in Newcastle]

Good for you for sticking up for good medical science and practice.  An ENT is a good choice. 

[Lady Florida.]

Wow. I truly don't get any medical people not requiring masks as well as not wearing one themselves. Glad you found someone you could go to, and an ENT was a good choice. I hope you can find a new primary doctor (he was your primary?) soon.

Recently in my area a doctor who ran a mask optional clinic died and it was discovered he had Covid. That isn't necessarily what killed him but he was still passing it to his patients and staff. What is wrong with people?

I was going to use the link to our local newspaper but it might be behind a paywall.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/melbourne-doctor-dies-covid-found-in-body-while-death-is-investigated/ar-BB19m6zL

[Pen]

I would ask what the rationale is.

 

For example:

 

Could he be part of a vaccine study?

 

Could he be testing some other prophylaxis protocol on himself?

 

[mathnerd]

If he had some health condition that precluded him from wearing a mask, then, it is understandable, but impossible for me to see such a doctor during the pandemic. If he is part of a medical group or hospital and you are being treated through them, you can call their customer service desk and lodge a complaint and ask for an investigation. I have always seen doctors who are part of a medical group which had its own policies which are usually very customer friendly and they ask me to fill a feedback form after every single visit.

[NewIma]

56 minutes ago, Lady Florida. said:

Wow. I truly don't get any medical people not requiring masks as well as not wearing one themselves. Glad you found someone you could go to, and an ENT was a good choice. I hope you can find a new primary doctor (he was your primary?) soon.

Recently in my area a doctor who ran a mask optional clinic died and it was discovered he had Covid. That isn't necessarily what killed him but he was still passing it to his patients and staff. What is wrong with people?

I was going to use the link to our local newspaper but it might be behind a paywall.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/melbourne-doctor-dies-covid-found-in-body-while-death-is-investigated/ar-BB19m6zL

Thank you Lady Florida! Finding a new primary doctor is top of my agenda now. I just don't trust him anymore and to give the outward appearance of following our state mask mandate while actually completely flouting it is dishonest. How many other patients felt confident he was being careful and then he walked into the room unmasked? Just crazy...  Cases are rising in our area and I really hope he doesn't end up spreading it to his patients.

[NewIma]

59 minutes ago, Bagels McGruffikin said:

I don’t particularly care if the doctor doesn’t mask, provided he is upfront about it. But making the patients follow the protocol he, himself, flouts is asinine. Good luck with the ENT!

Thanks! We have a state mandate where he has to wear a mask and everything his office puts out  says they have strict protocols. It is horribly misleading!

[NewIma]

40 minutes ago, Pen said:

I would ask what the rationale is.

 

For example:

 

Could he be part of a vaccine study?

 

Could he be testing some other prophylaxis protocol on himself?

 

No-unfortunately, based on what I know about him personally I think this is a political stance...

[NewIma]

3 minutes ago, mathnerd said:

If he had some health condition that precluded him from wearing a mask, then, it is understandable, but impossible for me to see such a doctor during the pandemic. If he is part of a medical group or hospital and you are being treated through them, you can call their customer service desk and lodge a complaint and ask for an investigation. I have always seen doctors who are part of a medical group which had its own policies which are usually very customer friendly and they ask me to fill a feedback form after every single visit.

My knowledge of his background and the comments from the receptionist lead me to believe this is a political stance, not based on health issues.  If that was the case he would really need to do only telehealth visits with our state mandate. It is really sad because he has served our family well for 8 years, but this is so appalling we will be finding a new doctor.

[itsheresomewhere]

6 minutes ago, NewIma said:

My knowledge of his background and the comments from the receptionist lead me to believe this is a political stance, not based on health issues.  If that was the case he would really need to do only telehealth visits with our state mandate. It is really sad because he has served our family well for 8 years, but this is so appalling we will be finding a new doctor.

Personally, a good doctor you liked who has treated you for 8 years is something I wouldn’t want  to throw away.  Good doctors are hard to find especially ones taking new patients.  I would still see one who didn’t wear a mask if I liked the doctor and they have served me well for years.   He knows the risk and may have a reason for not wearing it. 

Edited September 29, 2020 by itsheresomewhere

[NewIma]

6 minutes ago, itsheresomewhere said:

Personally, a good doctor you liked who has treated you for 8 years is something I wouldn’t want  to throw away.  Good doctors are hard to find especially ones taking new patients.  I would still see one who didn’t wear a mask if I liked the doctor and they have served me well for years.   He knows the risk and may have a reason for not wearing it. 

We might have stayed if he agreed to wear a mask at least with us, but if he won't wear one even when we ask, or tell patients that in advance (and really actually misleading them into thinking he is cautious) , I don't think we can trust him anymore. It is a big blow.

[NewIma]

When I called the health department to make a report the person I spoke to was completely taken aback. She must hear all sorts of stories and still this one really shocked her. 

[mathnerd]

23 minutes ago, itsheresomewhere said:

Personally, a good doctor you liked who has treated you for 8 years is something I wouldn’t want  to throw away.  Good doctors are hard to find especially ones taking new patients.  I would still see one who didn’t wear a mask if I liked the doctor and they have served me well for years.   He knows the risk and may have a reason for not wearing it. 

Personally, I would never trust my health with someone who refused to wear a mask when interacting with non-family persons inside a closed room setting. The person who he is interacting with have their rights as well and the customer is paying for his time (my ENT rates were $450 after insurance deductions for a 15 minute visit almost 4 yers ago, which is exorbitant). I would trust them even less if they were meeting new people every 15 minutes for 8 hours a day. I know a pediatrician who got Covid from exposure through his interaction with his patients - he was always masked.

[Jean in Newcastle]

38 minutes ago, itsheresomewhere said:

Personally, a good doctor you liked who has treated you for 8 years is something I wouldn’t want  to throw away.  Good doctors are hard to find especially ones taking new patients.  I would still see one who didn’t wear a mask if I liked the doctor and they have served me well for years.   He knows the risk and may have a reason for not wearing it. 

A medical professional who puts his patients at risk during a pandemic is not a good doctor.  It doesn't matter if he knows the risk.  He's putting his patients at risk. 

[NewIma]

Just now, Jean in Newcastle said:

A medical professional who puts his patients at risk during a pandemic is not a good doctor.  It doesn't matter if he knows the risk.  He's putting his patients at risk. 

Yes! Without their consent!

[Shoeless]

I would not trust a doctor that put personal political opinion over scientific facts. 

[ktgrok]

1 hour ago, Pen said:

I would ask what the rationale is.

 

For example:

 

Could he be part of a vaccine study?

 

Could he be testing some other prophylaxis protocol on himself?

 

doesn't matter.

A docotor in a closed in exam room with sick people (the OP has a freaking issue that I'm betting started out as respiratory!) going from room to room who refuses to mask during a pandemic spread via respiratory droplets  is the modern day equivalent of a doctor performing surgery without washing his hands or wearing gloves. 

[Pen]

51 minutes ago, NewIma said:

No-unfortunately, based on what I know about him personally I think this is a political stance...

 

I guess the health department will help sort it out.

And you will find someone new. 

I guess you will need some way to determine if Mask wearing will be done by the next person. 

 

 

😞

[NewIma]

Just now, Pen said:

 

I guess the health department will help sort it out.

And you will find someone new. 

I guess you will need some way to determine if Mask wearing will be done by the next person. 

 

 

😞

Who would have thought I'd have to ask if the doctors wear masks when I call around?!? Apparently I do...

[melmichigan]

I've been to medical facilities under three separate large hospitals since covid hit.  Every single doctor (so 12 to date) has worn a N-95 mask.  In two of my doctors offices they are standard for all staff, from the receptionist to the lab person.  I would have walked right out the door.  I'm glad you filed a complaint. I hope you find someone better.

 

[Terabith]

2 minutes ago, melmichigan said:

I've been to medical facilities under three separate large hospitals since covid hit.  Every single doctor (so 12 to date) has worn a N-95 mask.  In two of my doctors offices they are standard for all staff, from the receptionist to the lab person.  I would have walked right out the door.  I'm glad you filed a complaint. I hope you find someone better.

 

I've seen two providers (a gyn and a gp) as well as had an ER trip since the pandemic started, and nobody had an N-95 mask, but everyone in their offices wore a surgical mask.  It might have been different if it had been anything other than a routine visit and a kidney stone, respectively.  

[melmichigan]

11 minutes ago, Terabith said:

I've seen two providers (a gyn and a gp) as well as had an ER trip since the pandemic started, and nobody had an N-95 mask, but everyone in their offices wore a surgical mask.  It might have been different if it had been anything other than a routine visit and a kidney stone, respectively.  

I'm sure much of it is regional.  All the big hospitals here worked with the outbreak we had in Michigan earlier this year.  All of their precautions are very much in place.

[Terabith]

3 minutes ago, melmichigan said:

I'm sure much of it is regional.  All the big hospitals here worked with the outbreak we had in Michigan earlier this year.  All of their precautions are very much in place.

Yeah.  My understanding is that it's challenging for providers to source N-95 masks here, still.  

[Jean in Newcastle]

30 minutes ago, Terabith said:

Yeah.  My understanding is that it's challenging for providers to source N-95 masks here, still.  

There is a huge difference between a surgical mask and no mask.  Or even a cotton mask if they absolutely cannot get PPE (though it doesn't sound like this is a resource issue). 

[Terabith]

2 minutes ago, Jean in Newcastle said:

There is a huge difference between a surgical mask and no mask.  Or even a cotton mask if they absolutely cannot get PPE (though it doesn't sound like this is a resource issue). 

Right!  Exactly.  I certainly wouldn't think less of a provider not in an N-95, especially if not treating someone with covid suspicion.  I would be VERY alarmed by a provider not wearing any mask.  

That said, I have discovered our chiropractor isn't masking, which makes me very uncomfortable.  It's totally a political issue for him.  I am mostly just avoiding his practice, although I did reluctantly take my kid, in our most protective mask, today because they've been in a lot of pain for quite awhile.  But I'm also completely unable to find another chiropractor that DOES mask and is effective.  

[Jean in Newcastle]

1 minute ago, Terabith said:

Right!  Exactly.  I certainly wouldn't think less of a provider not in an N-95, especially if not treating someone with covid suspicion.  I would be VERY alarmed by a provider not wearing any mask.  

That said, I have discovered our chiropractor isn't masking, which makes me very uncomfortable.  It's totally a political issue for him.  I am mostly just avoiding his practice, although I did reluctantly take my kid, in our most protective mask, today because they've been in a lot of pain for quite awhile.  But I'm also completely unable to find another chiropractor that DOES mask and is effective.  

Fortunately our chiro does mask.  He did say to me that a lot of chiropractor's aren't so convinced about masks (though he personally is on the fence) but he risks losing his business if he doesn't, so he does.  Which, fine, if that's what it takes as an incentive then I'm still happy with the results. 

[kbutton]

1 minute ago, Terabith said:

Right!  Exactly.  I certainly wouldn't think less of a provider not in an N-95, especially if not treating someone with covid suspicion.  I would be VERY alarmed by a provider not wearing any mask.  

That said, I have discovered our chiropractor isn't masking, which makes me very uncomfortable.  It's totally a political issue for him.  I am mostly just avoiding his practice, although I did reluctantly take my kid, in our most protective mask, today because they've been in a lot of pain for quite awhile.  But I'm also completely unable to find another chiropractor that DOES mask and is effective.  

Same with our chiropractor. I tolerate it only because I have no option; otherwise, I would call the health department. He keeps me walking upright and able to exercise, and he keeps my son aligned while watching his scoliosis very carefully. 

Our chiro isn't a neck cracker, so he's not really in anyone's face. Half the visit, I am face down, and I am masked. They are cleaning carefully, distancing, etc.--everything recommended except masks. Sigh.

[Miss Tick]

3 hours ago, NewIma said:

Thank you Lady Florida! Finding a new primary doctor is top of my agenda now.

Depending on your health and your insurance you might not have to replace him. My GYN had been my only Dr for 20 years. Some day when she retires I'll probably just switch to a geriatrics specialist.

[Sarah0000]

I'm surprised you had to go in at all for a simple ear infection. Are they not doing video appointments? Even before COVID I didn't have to bring my kids or myself in for simple things like that.

Right now I only have to go in for blood work, infusions, and surgeries. 

[Terabith]

4 hours ago, Sarah0000 said:

I'm surprised you had to go in at all for a simple ear infection. Are they not doing video appointments? Even before COVID I didn't have to bring my kids or myself in for simple things like that.

Right now I only have to go in for blood work, infusions, and surgeries. 

It can be hard to determine what kind of ear infection it is (outer/ middle/ inner).  And it matters for treatment.  It's one of the things I would expect to have to go in person for.  (My oldest child complained about their ear hurting last week, and we had a discussion about this, but it stopped with a sudafed.)

[easypeasy]

Ack! I'm glad you called it in!

We had a somewhat similar situation with a specialist. We  called and asked about their requirements (very minimal: suggested mask wearing). We wore *our* best masks and went in anyway - thinking the "optional mask" would be for the patients and they had spaced their patients apart quite a bit and DD and DH had side-by-side appointments, so we didn't think anyone would be waiting with us, so we chanced it.

The dr did wear a surgical mask - but neither the intake lady nor the nurse wore one! So, we were in a tiny room with each of them and more than a bit shocked.

How the dr could wear a mask in his own practice and not require his assistants to also wear a mask was beyond me!

So - now I ask - Will the dr and staff also be wearing masks?

[NewIma]

4 hours ago, easypeasy said:

Ack! I'm glad you called it in!

We had a somewhat similar situation with a specialist. We  called and asked about their requirements (very minimal: suggested mask wearing). We wore *our* best masks and went in anyway - thinking the "optional mask" would be for the patients and they had spaced their patients apart quite a bit and DD and DH had side-by-side appointments, so we didn't think anyone would be waiting with us, so we chanced it.

The dr did wear a surgical mask - but neither the intake lady nor the nurse wore one! So, we were in a tiny room with each of them and more than a bit shocked.

How the dr could wear a mask in his own practice and not require his assistants to also wear a mask was beyond me!

So - now I ask - Will the dr and staff also be wearing masks?

Completely insane...of all places a doctor's office should be a place you can depend on people being careful.