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Doctor issue!
So I was going to finally get help on my depression. I was looking up my doctor's phone number online when a familiar site showed up again. Each doctor has their own page and people post comments and rate their doctor on various things.
There's only one good comment of course and 6 bad ones about him and look at the most recent one:
I found the man arrogant, opinionated and judgmental. I went to him for help with depression over a 2 year period and felt worse about myself than I ever did. It turns out he misdiagnosed me and had me on medication that I was barely able to get through each day. When I said anything he didn't like to hear he had temper tantrums that scared the hell out of me. Calls himself a Christian ... churches are full of people like him .... denial isn't just a river in Egypt!
And I know that I shouldn’t make judgments based on comment on the internet because angry people probably go on searching for places to type these things and the happy people maybe are outside doing other things, but still!
And this comment was posted one month ago in July! And it's true, he does have a temper! I'm not going anywhere near the church stuff because that's a crazy subject to discuss and has nothing to do with medical care as of now. But I always get advice that if my doctor isn't good and isn't helping you, go to another one. Well, I'm not allowed. That’s the first thing he yelled at us for when we went to the walk-in-clinic while he was on vacation and couldn’t wait for him to come back! What do I do? And should I even call him now?
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Maybe give some free advice about: Mental health?
Find a new doctor, then go speak to a lawyer.
Misdiagnosis and the treatment you've received break the Hippocratic Oath to Do No Harm. As in every profession there are good and bad doctors. Find a new doctor, and speak to a lawyer about a malpractice suit. You very well could have a case, and if you do you should pursue it.
Your doctor has no control over who you see. Your insurance company does, so you should speak to them about changing physicians. Do this _after_ you speak to an attorney if you choose to do so.
Ninjaneer is correct in that a family doctor has no business diagnosing depression and medicating you for it, he should have referred you to a specialist (like a counselor or psychiatrist) instead of attempting to keep the billing for himself.
I want you to add up in your head the money you've paid him to diagnose and treat this issue. I want you to think about what you've paid for medicine. These are damages. The emotional rigors of having depression and being given the wrong medication for a year are damages. In legal terms, this asshole deserves a lawsuit, because that's the only way you have to try to impact his ability to do something else.
Speak to a lawyer asap. I don't usually advocate stuff like this, but medical malpractice suits exist for a reason, and your situation is a perfect example of that reason.
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I suggest you find a new doctor, and don't think about going back.
The fact that you know he has a temper is something that you should never have come close knowing as a patient. That's an indicator of how out of control he is.
You need help, and from someone whose own problems aren't out of control.
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First things first; if he's a family doctor, he shouldn't be treating you for depression. He's not qualified, and he's overstepping his bounds. Would you go to this guy for an angioplasty, for a skin biopsy or to fix a broken spine? No! There's a reason why specialists exist. Family doctors help you to deal with minor medical problems or ongoing maintenance (like if you have asthma/diabetes). He can't forbid you from seeing a specialist.
Secondly, if you've seen these opinions posted on websites, you're not just morbidly making them up to satisfy some dark need to be miserable and paranoid. Other people are having bad experiences with your doctor. If anything, you should feel reassured in knowing that you're not just seeing things that aren't there.
What I would do is to check around and see if any other family doctors are accepting patients right now. It's a big enough town that there are bound to be some doctors accepting. Once you've got a clinic that is, then you can contact his office and have them send over your records to the new doctor.
You can also submit a complaint to the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons on this website:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
If you don't trust the doctor, you're not going to trust the care you receive, and you're less likely to improve. There's nothing selfish about getting better care for yourself. If the doctor can't handle that, then your family should consider switching as well.
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You are allowed to find another doctor.
Because you need serious ongoing care and medications, it will simply be a bit more difficult for you to find someone able to take on your needs. That is all. Your doctor has either misled you, or is confused. The fact he yelled at you doesn't change YOUR rights. Although most people in Ontario do register with their family doctor, they may end that registration at any time.
You would be wise to call the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and get clarification from them on your next steps.
It is up to you to get the correct information and care you need.
You should read through the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care website here: [Link](Mouse over link to see full location) to find out more about the programs they offer and how to access care.
If you are still uncertain, someone may be able to help you at the ministry hotline at 1-866-532-3161. The hotline is called ServiceOntario, and they can talk to you about ending your registration with your current doctor, and begin looking for another.
I have been depressed myself. I remmeber very well how I used any reason to keep myself away from a doctor - whether that reason was a good one like yours, or just some crazy stuff I made up to keep myself isolated and sick. Please don't do that. Step up and use the services that exist for you.
Change is always hard work. This is the hard work you must begin to get better.
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