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Have you ever changed diabetes healthcare providers because you did not like their personality?
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Yes. I didn’t like my first Endo. He was a bit rude and blamed me for my T1D. My second Endo was very good to work with and was supportive. He qas a teacher and would explain things so I could understand each ossue. He helped me get on the pump.
I have never changed providers because I have liked all 3 of my endo Dr. and NPs. However, my adult son, who is a type 1 diabetic did change because he did not like the demanding personality of a Chicago endo female. Maybe it was a female demanding a professional male, or maybe she was the witch of the west like my son described. He is now with another female Dr. and likes her very much.
No. But, I WOULD if I didn’t like his/her personality!! My son has been seeing the same Pediatric Endo for the 10 years since he was diagnosed.
Never because of personality. I did change once my long-time endo no longer had local hospital privileges. Being diabetic under the care of a hospitalist is not something I want to experience again.
Oops… I called her my ‘son’. She’s transgender (came out recently, so I still make this mistake). 🙁 So… correction: my DAUGHTER.
No as of now, but I would like to.
I actually changed because my doctor not only questioned every decision I made, but didn’t believe my A1C could be as low as it was after seeing my meter readings. It also was due to the fact that I had to drive 60 minutes to get to his office. Chose my current endo (now with him almost 20 years) first because he was 10 minutes away, but then because he’s always given me really positive reinforcement.
I once had an Endo that thought he couldn’t ever be questioned, 2nd opinioned or told his instruction was ‘off’. I literally ended up in hospital because my doses were off and he was convinced it was my doet over his instruction. Yes, we dropped him.
This is one of the main reasons I have left multiple endos–for some reason, it seems to be so challenging to find one with a hospitable bedside manner. A few years ago, I was having some suspected thyroid issues that my PCP told me to mention to my endo. Long story short, after a very rude and uncomfortable conversation she “diagnosed” me as having bipolar disorder and completely disregarded my thyroid concerns (my PCP subsequently ordered the labs he thought I needed and it turns out I was having some hormone issues). I ended up finding a different endo immediately, and while he has excellent bedside manner, he’s not nearly as knowledgeable as the first endo regarding the nuances of the interplay among food, insulin, and exercise. I feel like this is a tradeoff I have to make as I refuse to be belittled by a doctor who I’m basically forced to see so I can live and get the insulin I need. I feel like bedside manner is incredibly overlooked when it comes to endos as I’ve dealt with these types of issues literally since I was diagnosed at age 9 (I’m 34 now).
It wasn’t actually his personality, it was his complete lack of any understanding of what it is like to live with diabetes and the daily mental burden of trying to stay between the lines and still work, play and live.
No, but I would. My first endo was awesome. She always came in on time and smiling. She was very knowledgeable and helpful. She always listened and answered my questions. Then she retired. I like my new one OK, but I am not as happy with her.
Not so much “personality,” but bedside manner, certainly. I established with an endo a few years ago who told me that, because of my T1D (and without looking at any data related to my management of T1D), I’d be dead by age 50. During the next appointment, she looked at one data point on my blood work, but without asking me about my diet, and told me I needed to eat more vegetables and less meat (I was a vegetarian at the time). I never returned.
Others have similar comments to mine. I changed from one endo because he thought he could get through to me by telling me I wouldn’t live very much longer. I finally left when he said I wouldn’t see my newborn son reach high school. The next endo I went to was very likeable and didn’t threaten me but he was behind the times with treatment. A friend recommended my current endo 17 years ago and I’ve been with him ever since. He never has threatened me, he listens to his patients and shares what he’s come to understand from them. He also tells me when he doesn’t know the answer to something. It took me two years to trust him but then I realized he really did want to be my health care partner. No doctor should ever think it’s okay to shame their patients. It doesn’t work. I went from an average A1C of 12 down to 6.5.
I haven’t changed endo but have chosen one very carefully each time I’ve relocated. I find out as much as I can beforehand then choose one. It has worked so far. The first endocrinologist I had was recommended by my primary care physician and it was an amazing recommendation.
Not yet, but I want to. Current endo is fine, but GP needs to retire. Goes through the motions. And didn’t diagnose my Celiac for ten years. Always had icky feeling in stomach, and she kept giving me antacids. Finally I demanded referral to gastroenterologist, who ordered upper and lower GI tests. He thought I had stomach cancer, but turned out to be Celiac. Boy was I mad. Now gluten free and much better
Several times. Sadly, and as others have stated, it’s challenging to find the balance.
I changed because I didn’t agree with his attitude. From what I could figure out, he believed if anyone was Dx’d with diabetes (of any type) they MUSDYT be Dx’d with 3 co-morbidities: stupidity, laziness and a propensity to lie (perhaps if handwritten bg logs were involved – but he gets my CGM and pump records as uploads – and PDF!). The first time I saw him (chair of the Endo Dept I have to use – HMO plan) before even saying hello or his name he said (and I quote I will never forget this) “…it is impossible for someone like you to have such good labs…” I was offended and whipped out hard copies of my Dexcom history. I also promised to bring my Mensa Membership Card to the next appt (actually borrowing my mother’s, but if I hold it right you can’t see her first name on it). I was able to change to another Endo in the practice and that Chair still scowls at me if he sees e in the waiting area. The newer Endo is in the process of being trained by me that many of us do know to do this.
The only changes I have made in providers over the 58 years since diagnosis were caused by my relocation to new communities. Some have been more helpful than others, but all have been adequate for the medical needs I faced so far.
I have only changed one endo due to their personality. They seemed to lack a scientific state of mind and way of describing things in a less simple minded way. They would have been fine as a friend, but not as my doctor. After becoming unhappy with this endo and my GP for similar reasons, more than ten years ago, I decided to use a local university hospital for my healthcare.
I put no but I would like to I can’t really relate to her. Her office staff is wonderful tho
Not so much his personality, but his approach to effectively treating my condition.
An occasional endocrinologist or two are sometime as dense as the material studied by dendrochronologists – tree rings. (っ-̶●̃益●̶̃)っ ,︵‿ When I first came to town, one had the personality of the TV character Doc Martin, otherwise known as Doctor Martin Ellingham, a socially challenged doctor who hadn’t the foggiest notion why his wife Louisa was separating from him. (っ-̶●̃益●̶̃)っ ,︵‿ S Usually, personality types do not affect me, having worked with all sorts of characters over the years. But I made the change decision on technical terms, not the Ivan-the-Terrible personality.
I’ve been type 1 for 53 years, so I’ve had a lot of doctors. One in NJ was older and his vision wasn’t too good. Back in those days you used some plastic strips with 2 reagent strips to check the level of sugar in the urine. He checked my urine by holding the plastic strip to the color chart and said it was fine. But he was looking at the back of the strip, not the side with the test strips. That was my last visit to him. Another experience was in CT about 20 years ago. The FBI raided the doctor’s office and seized all his records. The doc went to prison for Medicare fraud, and my CDE (who started me on my first insulin pump) made quite a bit of money. Turns out she was the whistleblower.
As others have commented “personality” is perhaps not quite the right word. I have moved away from.health care professionals because I have disagreed with their ethics, their approaches to research (particularly when their approach is “I’ll wait until I’m forced to change my practices by law”), or seem to not think that I would do whatever they said without question.
I had one that I saw once. Only once. I told her exactly what I thought of her too. I never went back.
I have not changed doctor due to personality it was due to stupidity trying to give me t2d when I’m t1d changed doctor and started the pump and then another doctor trued it again both time had to do the test again to say I was t1d for my insurance twice
When a long time endocrinologist I had been seeing for a few years was getting ready to retire he advised me to “find someone to grow old with” regarding my diabetes care. The health insurance company I had at the time made an appt with a female endocrinologist who was recruiting patients for her new practice. K heard thru the diabetes support group grapevine that she was lacking in compassion and patience toward the PWDs going to see her. I cancelled the appt before meeting her due to the word of mouth reputation. Several years later, I worked as a RN, CDE with the medical group she is affiliated with and was assigned to work in her office twice a month seeing PWDs for diabetes education. She was arrogant, unpleasant and seemed disinterested in caring about the PWDs coming to see her unless they had thyroid issues. When I would ask for her input to discuss the possibility or to suggest/recommend to start someone struggling with BG control on a pump or cgm her response and attitude was, “Why should I waste my time? He/she is a lazy and stupid diabetic who doesn’t care about themselves.” It was not easy working with her. Eventually she admitted that she hated working with PWDs and now only treats people with thyroid disorders. Needless to say I am glad that I fired her before I went to see her as a patient.
YES!!!OH,YES!!! I crochet a pocket on EVERY shirt I wear! I place it on the lower left of the garment, so I can use it comfortably (I’m left-handed). Being female, the location doesn’t interfere with my personal needs. One doctor took a picture of it at Joslin! I’ve been told I should start a business.
I once had an endocrinologist who was all about blame and shame. At the time, pre CGM, she would look at my blood sugar logs and pick out random high sugars and start in with what did you do wrong here, why did you not count correctly. I fired her. I now have a wonderful new Endocronologist. Have been seeing him for over 16 years now.
The only time l changed due? to dissatisfaction was when the “endocrinologist” kept saying l was too old to be TYPE 1 and added meds. Found those medical trials, walking in the doc said I was a TYPE 1 just by looking, the rest is history.
I had an endo that was great for the beginning. (I was coming from a Primary that “specialized” in Diabetes… Yes I know not a good idea… ) I was able to get on a pump and get on the right road. After 10 years our visits were you are doing fine… I wasn’t. Id ask questions and I felt rushed out of office. I switched to a new group who listened and answers questions with cold hard facts. very happy now
Yes, I am a brittle type 1, despite everything I would do exercise, diet etc my sugar was all over. One Dr said I was not a candidate for a pump because I was non-compliant. I left, found an endo who understood “brittle diabetes” and never looked back. After 18 years with my current endo, I am doing well. Who needs to be shamed at every appointment? Not I.
Recently switched doctors because of some verbal aggressiveness in my appointments, “Well that strategy is just plain naughty, if not illegal.” “Those lows will kill ya!” – regarding a 60 on my meter. Also, he refused to accept my decision to use injection therapy instead of pumping because of the occlusions. Legally and ethically it is my decision as the patient. I cannot be coerced to live a lifestyle I don’t want. He really seemed to think he could trick me into it, like a child who doesn’t want to eat their broccoli. The way doctors verbally bully people with diabetes really needs to be strongly addressed in medical school training. People skip their appointments because of doctor behavior and attitude, not because they’re being irresponsible or lazy, as we’re often treated. Courtesy is necessary. The end does not justify the means when it comes to demoralizing condescension and blaming & shaming. Shame on the endocrinology field.
I changed because she was old-fashioned in her in her views about diabetic technology, not because she was unpleasant. When I moved to a new state 22 years ago, I looked online to find new doctors. The endocrinologist I selected from the few that were in the area had good reviews from patients. However, after visiting her twice I changed to a different doctor because she was not up to speed about changes happening with diabetic technology and in general just seemed “out of touch.” When I mentioned that I wanted to learn more about insulin pumps, she looked downward and said something like, “Oh, I don’t think those are a good idea.” That was it. I chose another practice and have been pleased ever since then.