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What is happening in the doctor's exam rooms? There was a computer tech (called a scribe) taking notes. He is standing in the corner, with his computer on a stand.

Does he have any medical qualifications to be present at an exam?
Or just a BA in computer science?

No notes on the suggested prescription for Diflucan. Not at pharmacy, not at the other pharmacy. Called the urgent care, no Rx. was written or sent.

Fail.
Invasion of privacy with a stranger in the room.
Patient made to follow up with 6 frustrating phone calls, searching for a prescription that does not exist.
Delayed treatment.

A UTI can cause irritability, and bad mood, So can a yeast infection. A yeast infection can lead to tears, crying.

Used to be that an exam room was sacrosanct.
Defined: "(especially of a principle, place, or routine) regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with."

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My apologies, Sendhelp! Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I switched your post to a discussion since it struck me as more of a thought-provoking statement on current policies and procedures for doctor's appointments than a request for answers. You're correct that the reply feature does not apply to discussions.

For reference, questions/discussions are reviewed separately from answers/comments/replies. To complicate things further, I can't differentiate replies from answers in our moderating tool, so cleaning up forum activity inadvertently results in more confusion at times!

I've restored the question status of your post and the missing replies. Hope this helps.
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Sendhelp Feb 2022
Feb. 23, 2022
Aging Care CM
In re: Thread restored to Questions

You are correct, it was meant more as a statement on current policies and procedures for doctor's offices than a report on my own symptoms. It could have been a discussion if that had not messed with the replies.

You are very kind to do that.

Thank you for fixing the chronological order of the thread!
I had a discussion with my tech dH, who said the website is limited as to it's function. That is okay with me because I just don't need to see another facebook. Well, except for the ability to delete our own comments anytime. I think Gladimhere has mentioned that before as something she would like.

Thanks again! You are doing a great job!
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Send, I was medically qualified, not a computer tech. I have several semesters of anatomy, 2 semesters of medical laboratory technology, 3 semesters of pharmacology. I have a BS in Medical Technology. I worked my way thru a MS degree and a PhD in Clinical Psychology as a full time Cardiology Transcriptionist for a transplant surgeon. I was/am fully trained and certified in CPR and other hospital procedures.
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Sendhelp Feb 2022
Yes! That is how it used to be, and how it should be, imo.
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Send, I'm sorry for these frustrations. I don't think you're the one being difficult.

I got over long ago fearing being labeled a "difficult" patient. To most docs, the difficult patient is the non-compliant one, not the one who asks clarifying questions.
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Interesting about the BP thing, Send.

My doc's nurse takes my BP. When my doc comes in, he takes it again. And then takes it again at the end of the visit. He satisfies himself that my BP is within range at least once. No idea what goes into the record. But he's never recommended meds.
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Feb. 23, 2022
@ AgingCare
In RE: My question about "Going to the doctor in 2022

When my question was transferred from 'Questions' to 'Discussions', it caused the chronological order of 'reply' to change, and no longer make sense. There is no 'reply' available in discussions.

I will return to what was taught in elementary schools, which was:
Always address your correspondence to someone.
Always write the question in your answers.
Always put the date on your correspondence.
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SendHelp, thanks for sharing insights on nonmedical personnel in an exam room.  I haven't been to any medical facilities since my father died, so I was unaware of this.   It may also be a California specific event so far.  But I ntend to ask when I try to get all medical issues resolved before the next pandemic surge which I anticipate to be in the fall or later.

One issue I'll raise is to confirm that the note taker has been advised that HIPAA compliance is mandatory.  (I might even ask for a copy of the notes, stating that I plan to move later in the year and need to compile charts for the next group of practitioners.)

I'm not going to comment on the mistakes I've in hospital records though. I can't imagine how disastrous this could be if the notetaker has no medical training.

Just thought of something though; our ophthalmologist always made medical comments if not dictated them while he performed exams.   There was always a medical person in the room at those times.   But his staff was highly trained, and outstanding in my opinion.   I doubt he'd ever dictate complex medical issues and terms to a nonmedical person.
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Becky04489 Feb 2022
GA, A transcriptionist or trailer is fairly common. I've worked in hospitals and medical schools in North Carolina, Virginia, Massachusetts, Maine, Ohio, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. I always worked with cardiologists and surgeons. I worked as a traveling transcriptionist while I was getting my PhD. It allowed me to get my clinical psychology hours, class hours in required settings while supporting myself. HIPPA is required for all personnel affiliated with a licensed facility or practice. With electronic records your complete chart can be sent from multiple medical ofices Most within minutes. I've had my transferred while in a new physician's office. Ask for a copy while your there. Many times if call later, the office will charge per page fees or copying and postage. Get it free while you can.
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A bigger issue than medications, it is the status of receiving better medical care, less frustrating medical treatment, and a return to respect and privacy at the doctor's office.

BTW, there was no exam to discover the true diagnosis. But they sent in a urinalysis for culture which may or may not yield a diagnosis days from now.

I think patients are on their own now, and at times better off staying home with Dr. Internet. BTW, a self-exam disclosed the diagnostic evidence of a yeast infection causing the burning. Looks like 'cottage cheese, white'.

Angry.
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Becoming more common in many offices and hospitals. I worked full time for many years as a medical transcriber. The last three years I worked directly in exam and procedure rooms with a cardiologist. Same standards for privacy and following all HIPPA rules along with rules of the individual physicians and facilities. The prescription snafu is probably the doctors error not the transcriptionist. In some facilities the person is referred to as a trailer. Doing notes this way frees up doctors time and is more cost efficient. My doctor at the NH comes with his transcriptionist.
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Sendhelp Feb 2022
A medical transcriptionist would qualify, imo.
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Send, my sympathies.

Transcriptionists allow the doc to interact with you and not stare and her/his computer screen.

I always confirm with out Urgent care AND our reg doc's receptionist (the front desk/check out people) that the script has been sent to to correct pharmacy. Because there have been times where it has gone astray.

Was the urgent care center not quick to re-send to your preferred pharmacy?
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Sendhelp Feb 2022
Yes, the pharmacy was confirmed with the receptionist upon leaving, but they had not sent it yet.

There has never been a time when my Rx did not go astray! Questioning them in advance just makes me a difficult patient, in their opinion.
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Feb. 23, 2022 10:38a.m.
Reply @ BarbBrooklyn
In RE: Interesting about the B/P thing.

Thank you Barb.
Once again, that is how it should work, they re-take the high blood pressure reading. The doctor retakes the reading. They did this especially in the cardiologist's office, it was required by the doctor where I worked.

I am reassured that someone is getting good care out there.

And that is how it has worked for me in the past. But not anymore, not for years now. The delivery of routine medical procedures has changed, and not for the better, imo.

Changed from a medically qualified note taker in the exam room to a computer tech and his computer in the exam room, a person without a medical background.
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