Pain Chronicles: Kiss-Off Letter to Shitty Pain Doc

Where we left off here was Pain Doc #2, aka Shitty Pain Doc, had me go in for an MRI on 9/6, my chiropractor was in possession of the report of the MRI on 9/8, and Shitty Pain Doc had finally dislodged the thumb from her ass on or about 9/23 when she left the first of many voicemails.

She called me once on 9/23, then moving forward for the following week, she called me TWICE A DAY, EVERY DAY, until 9/30 when she left a voicemail indicating since she's having problems communicating with me via phone, she was going to send me a letter.

Ominously, she sent it certified mail, conveying to me she was tracking this, and was making sure on her end I finally got my report--ONE FULL MONTH AFTER THE MRI WAS DONE.  The letter (such as it was) was nothing more then a copy of my MRI report (which I already had thanks to my chiropractor) as well as her "interpretations" of it which essentially was her copying and pasting the radiologist's comments. This letter was lacking the CHIEF ITEM I WAS SEEKING: The Rx for the MRI of my RIGHT hip.  

I had written the following letter and was planning on sending it to her sight-unseen. I was not planning on going to the Post Office to sign for and take receipt of her letter. I wanted it returned to her, unopened. But part of me was curious if in the end she'd do the right thing by me and send the MRI of the right hip.

But no. I really wish I went with my gut instinct to blow off getting the letter as it was entirely useless to me.

So, I picked up my letter on the morning of October 6th, opened it up (and summarily said a few FUCK YOUS to the letter), and promptly dropped a letter of my own into the mail.  (To date, 11/2/16, my letter has gone unacknowledged on her end. Not that I anticipated a response, but it was so compelling/damning, anyone who actually GAVE A SHIT about their patients WOULD acknowledge it--no?).

For your reading enjoyment, here is the letter, in entirety, with only the personal info redacted out:

Dr. P.,

In combination with the on-going scheduling problems I have experienced, where most of my recent appointments have had to be rescheduled, then to wait excessively before entering the exam room, and wait even longer to get my issues addressed,  I feel it is germane to share my snapshot of the last six weeks:  

·         8/19 Appointment ; Judy called to reschedule.  (Note: This was a day off, and I had other appointments that day and built my day around YOUR schedule.)

·         8/24 Date of Rescheduled appointment: TWENTY MINUTES prior to my appointment time, Judy called to reschedule YET AGAIN. Neither an apology nor reason were provided.

·         8/25 I arrived  five minutes early (because I value YOUR time) to then be made to wait FORTY-ONE minutes above and beyond my scheduled appointment time, which then put me back in my office by 5 p.m.

Due to all THOSE delays, plus the fact I was going on vacation over Labor Day weekend, the earliest I could get my MRI (of LEFT HIP) scheduled was eleven days later on  9/6.

·         8/29 (WHILE ON VACATION) I called your office (IN ACTIVE PAIN) regarding an Rx for an MRI of the right hip. I was informed to call back on 9/7.

·         9/6 I had the MRI and had presence of mind to CC my chiropractor.

·         9/7 I called your office AGAIN, re: the request of an MRI of RIGHT HIP.

·         9/8 I saw my chiropractor, who provided me a copy of the MRI report.

·         9/23 I get a nebulous/vague voicemail from you, “Sorry I missed your call.” (This then begs the question: Which call were you returning? 8/29? 9/7? Why did it take 2-3 weeks to return my call?)

·         9/26 – 9/29 Two voicemails a day, every day from you, yet no mention of the MRI of the right hip which I requested.

·         9/30 Final voicemail indicating you would be communicating via mail.

·         10/5 Received your letter, which did not contain an Rx for the MRI of right hip.

As of today’s date, October 6^th, it is now six weeks since my appointment with you, and I am no closer to getting my pain issues resolved. Additionally, I feel confident that even if I were to have taken any of your calls, it would only serve to provide me more delays in getting the necessary imaging done to finally address the pain in my right hip.

Time is an important, valuable commodity for all of us, and despite the courtesy I have shown you as a professional, by showing up to my appointments on time (if not early), that same measure of courtesy has not been reciprocated.  Additionally, I require a certain level of responsiveness, which also has been inconsistent. As a result,  I will be changing physicians. I would like to thank you for your efforts on my behalf and wish you well in your practice.

ETA: Dr. P. never reached out to me after receiving my letter. Characteristic of how she operated. Sadly.