Dr. Felecia Froe is a urologist in practice for over 20 years. Approximately 3% of the over 11,000 urologists in the US are women. She completed her residency at the University of Missouri-Columbia Hospitals and Clinics in 1993.
A physician listens to a patient for 18 seconds before interrupting according to Jerome Groopman, MD in his book “How Doctor’s Think”. That’s only 18 seconds. Seems impossible, right? How can you only get 18 seconds to tell your story? I can tell you some get even less. Those who cannot get out the important stuff, get the doctor “hooked” into the story and answer questions efficiently when asked, are likely doomed to more frequent misdiagnoses, more tests and more expense.
While I couldn’t have told you 18 seconds, I knew it wasn’t long. In the beginning, I felt like I had the time to listen. As medicine has evolved, I feel that I have less and less time to give you to talk.
Money and medicine cannot be separated: Whether it is the money you pay via insurance payments and copays, or the money I make by collecting them. I have employees to pay, lights to keep on, children to feed, etc. Over time, the cost of running a practice increased and the payments from insurance companies decreased. The only way to keep up is to get as many patients through the door as possible.
Can you see the problem? Your doctor wants to help you, I can almost guarantee that, but you only have 18 seconds to tell your story, give your symptoms and tell how they affect you.
You aren’t organized and have not thought it through. Oops, times up. Your doctor has either come up with a diagnosis (right or wrong) or has no idea; this leads them to pronounce, “Go have these tests, take these pills and come back if you are not better”.
My desire is to help you get organized and get your story out during those crucial 18 seconds. I would like to see doctors be able to devote more time to you, but I am unsure this can happen without changes on both sides.
Throughout this site, you will find articles to help educate you to get the most out of your appointments. I want you to be able to watch for clues that your doctor is paying attention. If he or she is preoccupied with something else, my hope is you will be able to get her back in the room with you, politely, but definitively.
It’s all about communication. I’m here to help bridge the gap between you and your doctor.
If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail me at feleciafroemd@gmail.com. I love reader response!
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