Summary-line: 2-May mfoley@arisia.Xerox.COM #dealing with the medical establishment *** EOOH *** Return-Path: Date: Thu, 2 May 91 18:29:19 -0700 From: Mary Ellen Foley To: immune@weber.ucsd.edu Subject: dealing with the medical establishment I would like to hear how others have dealt with the problem of ill-treatment at the hands of doctors' office staff. My doctors are really nice, but the dragons that are stationed at the door to keep the sick people away can be a real problem. I get the distinct impression that they are as tired of seeing me as I am of being sick...but I don't have a choice. I feel like they wish I would just have the good manners to get myself healthy and not bother them anymore. I assume that others with chronic conditions have encountered this...is that so? What did you do about it? I'm tired of being treated like a lower form of life, but am almost afraid (who am I kidding, I *AM* afraid) say anything (to them OR to the doctor) for fear of making them mad, because they control my access to health care! (I'm in an HMO where nothing's paid for unless it is ordered by your Primary Care Physician.) Mary Ellen