A while ago I wrote about how I had been fast tracked to cardiology by some unknown person and the cardiologist I saw was very dismissive and made me feel very uncomfortable before reluctantly ordering an echocardiogram which when I got it months later showed there had been a serious problem.
Today I had my annual asthma review and the subject of the heart problem came up because there was a bit of a question over the basic cause of my breathlessness. I mentioned that I hadn’t taken to the cardiologist and when I said who it was the nurse couldn’t stop laughing. I said ‘Not just me then?’ and he said ‘He’s a funny chap’ giving the impression he could have said a lot more!
I don’t know whether consultants don’t realise what effect their behaviour has on patients or whether they don’t care. I suspect ‘God syndrome’ is alive and kicking!
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Buffafly
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Years ago I had a problem with my right wrist and had to see a consultant in case it was carpal tunnel syndrome. He was renowned for being rude and whilst waiting to see him I heard him berating several previous patients. When it was my turn I walked in and said "Good morning Mr King, we aren't going to shout at each other now are we" He was a pussycat to me! . ( If you've ever seen the Bigus Dickus bit in Life of Brian, that was his nurse too ).
The power these arrogant turnips have !!!! Simpering nurses and quaking patients!! My worst one is in Rheumatology!! Saw him privately once and he was quite endearing !! Told me all about his playing golf in the South of France!! Then I saw him on NHS !! He was horrendous refused to ansser sny of my questions. I got to the door ( safety) and said “ you were a lot nicer to me in the Nuffield”.
I had a very similar experience about 10 years ago. Paid privately to see a consultant and he was like my best friend. Had treatment on NHS with him and he was arrogant in his manner, treated like an object and never said one word to me. Only communication was with the 2 nurses in the room. He is still at the hospital and I’ve refused to see him again if the need arose.
He wasn’t even an EP, just a random cardiologist because I couldn’t make the first appointment offered. You don’t usually Iget assigned a regular cardiologist at our hospital, they discharge you asap and then if you have a crisis you see someone else. So I won’t be stuck with him, I’ve been assigned an ‘interventional cardiologist’ I can call if I get very breathless in case the fluid builds up again. He was very pleasant!
Reading your story makes me realise how lucky I am.
The parting words from my EP last month were something like “it is not your annual consultation with me that is important. We are here all the time and should you need any help between now and next year just call us “.
After suffering increasing AF episodes the cardiologist suggested I get a new pair of glasses............to look at life in a different way! True story, totally deaf to the effects AF can have on a person.
I think had I been quick enough to think of a response, it would have been along the lines of ‘And have you ever thought of viewing AF through the lens of your patient? If not, why not?’
Of course we never do think of these retorts until later. I had one interview with a cardiologist with similar attitude and because I refused his view on treatment options and asked ‘difficult’ questions which he didn’t want to answer, I believe he originally thought I was a middle aged, middle class woman he could patronise, he later refused to treat me in clinic when his registrar asked him to come look at me as she was concerned about an ECG she had just taken. She returned telling me just about word for word that as I had ignored his original advice and gone for a private appointment that I should go back to the private consultant now and he was ‘busy’ - only didn’t have the nerve to say that to my face so told the registrar to tell me! Not sure who was more angry but she was a lot more upset than I because I hadn’t expected much more from him anyway. This time adrenaline worked in my favour and walking back to the car park the tachycardia which had been +140 for days came down and by the time I was back at the car I was in normal rate. I’ll take Paradoxical when it works!
I had a heart attack caused by coronary artery spasm and had to have an angiogram. The cardiologist who did it was in a foul mood and very rude in his manner. I mentioned this to my GP and she said ‘Oh well, people do have bad days’. I saw him again in clinic some time later and he was making a noticeable effort to be charming. I suspect he’d been reported by other people too!
They don't always have a good bedside manner or a nice business smile do they and though I've been extremely lucky with two lovely cardiologists, I have heard horror reports about the manner of some. That's why I liked Bobs response...sometimes what you say to them first makes them think!! Xx
Yes, I have had a few car crash moments with the wrong cardiologist.
I had read that of all the cardiologists in the world, only 15% of them went on to further study to become electrophiliologists.
After being initially diagnosed with AF, I wasted 12 months talking with a plumber of the vascular system. Unbeknownst to me, I later learned he had no interest in electopysiology or ablations, which in effect denied me the correct care.
This could have all been avoided if general practitioners knew more about AF and who to refer patients to.
Sorry that you had an unpleasant experience. I cannot sing the praises of my Cardiologist [Dr. Affolter] Aberdeen. He listens, explains and advises. I feel very lucky to have him as my Cardiologist.
Same here waited 2 hours (late) to see EP who is a Professor. His demeanour was like he wasn’t interested at all. Had ECG & Echo before appointment went in to see him. 5 min appointment given 3 options (stay on meds, another ablation or pace and ablate) no discussion wanted decision there and then. Couldn’t give a decision immediately needed to think about it said he would put me on list.
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