We have an ongoing family controversy regarding what doctor Dad should see. Dad is currently back seeing the doctor that Brother and I have questions about. I took Dad to see him today. I asked about having the home health care agency draw blood so we wouldn't have to take him to the doctor so often. The doctor is unhappy because we switched agencies. The one he wants us to use (my brother said the doctor is related to the owner) was not doing a good job. The physical therapist was prescribing exercises he couldn't do. They drew blood once, messed it up, and never drew it again. When the nurse heard he'd been admitted to the hospital, she said, "I'm not surprised, he looked awful the last time I was there." So why didn't she call the doctor?
Anyway, we chose to go back to the health care agency that most impressed us a year or so ago. So, the doctor didn't give orders for them to draw blood. He wants to see Dad again in 10 days. He also didn't like the medication they put him on for his low hemoglobin, so without even waiting to see if it is working, he ordered a different medication. He ordered a medication that his insurance won't cover without preauthorization, which could take 4-6 weeks. Each doctor's appointment means either Brother or Sister has to take half a day off work to take him. Each appointment means Dad has to pay a copay. The doctor checks his blood pressure and asks him about his weight, listens to his lung, and draws blood. All of those things could be done by a visiting nurse and reported to him. I can understand if he wanted to see him once a month or so, but every 10 days? Dad is on insulin, and needs to check his blood sugar before meals and at bedtime. The doctor refused to order testing supplies for more than 3 tests a day.
This doctor also will not refer Dad. Dad has a history of heart problems and kidney problems but doesn't think he needs to see any specialists. The last few hospitalizations have been because his medication was managed properly, so he became dehydrated or went into congestive heart failure. Dad is getting weaker. I'm watching him struggle more each time he tries to get out of his chair. I'm frustrated, to say the least.
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