One of the questions I am asked quite often is how do I file a complaint against a doctor or someone in his or her office, who has provided gross or unacceptable care.
A woman told me today that she and her husband drove two hours to see a specialist. The doctor didn't bother to see the woman himself. Instead, he had a woman without medical training examine the patient. This individual said she had a master's degree, but was not a nurse or other medical personnel. However, she did write prescriptions. The doctor was in the office, but was in a hurry, the patient was told, to leave for a conference. The man didn't even have the courtesy to say "hello".
I suspect the patient will still be billed for a consultation with the doctor. My answer for this patient was to go to the Web site for the Medical Board of California, get their address, and write a letter to the state board with a carbon copy to the Medical Society in the county where the doctor practices. The letter should be addressed to the "Professional Conduct Committee." Unfortunately, it takes a long time for a doctor or other practitioner 's license to be revoked, but the more complaints, the sooner this will happen.
A patient can also go to a state medical board Web site, put in a doctor's name and find out if he or she has had malpractice suits filed against them. Some of these suits may have no merit, so be careful because even very good doctors can be sued by a litiginous patient.
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