Just got fired from our doctor for not vaxing.

[Dolphin]

Just venting mostly. I feel like I've been sucker punched. I took ds in for his 2 year well check and was told that she just doesn't feel comfortable seeing non vaxed children. This is after 2 years of seeing my kids, and after I interviewed her and asked her how she felt about it, and was told "that's great - I have no problem with it". Wow, I just feel so in shock right now.

[kalisis]

Aw, that sucks. But really, do you want a doctor seeing your kids who doesn't really want to see/be responsible for them? You're probably better off without her.

BTW - I : Tom Robbins (in your siggy)!

[Ruthla]

The same thing happened to me a little over a year ago. What really bothered me is that, while this pediatric group never agreed with my decisions, they were always very respectful about them. It was worth it to me to have a friendly office staff, convenient hours, etc, even though we didn't see eye-to-eye on most medical stuff.

But I selected another pediatrician that's part of a large clinic-like office, where my own PCP (and GYN and optician and rheumatologist and.....) are located. They're just too BIG to kick people out for "differing philosophies." They're too big to even notice the differing philosophies!

I'm not unhappy with the new ped, but I really don't like her as much as the old doctors.

[tanyalynn]

That's a bummer. But if she said it was just fine when you first interviewed her, I'm guessing the real reason she's doing this is pressure from either insurance companies (the ones who pay her paycheck) or her own insurer (the liability insurance she purchases) or both. Take a look at the other thread someone started about their insurance company--reviews like that, checking whether kids are up-to-date, are intended to put pressure on doctors. She may just be making a practical financial decision, which has got to suck for her too. Our old family doc (from when I was a kid, I mean) felt a lot of pressure on a lot of things from the insurance companies, I think it really detracted from the enjoyment he got from helping people.

eta: It's the Don't I live in a free country thread

[spero]

BTDT ... last fall we were discharged from the ped practice we used for over 18 years. IMO it's becoming more and more common for peds to take a hard line stand on vaccines. Do it their way, or get the hell out.

We found a FANTASTIC family practitioner. Wish I'd gone that route years ago!

[Gitti]

Originally Posted by Dolphin

Just venting mostly. I feel like I've been sucker punched. I took ds in for his 2 year well check and was told that she just doesn't feel comfortable seeing non vaxed children. This is after 2 years of seeing my kids, and after I interviewed her and asked her how she felt about it, and was told "that's great - I have no problem with it". Wow, I just feel so in shock right now.

I bet big pharma promised her a toaster if 100% of her patients are up to date on vaccines. She sold out! imo

:

[MamatoPeach]

Originally Posted by Gitti

I bet big pharma promised her a toaster if 100% of her patients are up to date on vaccines. She sold out! imo

:

Ooo a toaster. laughup

[Deborah]

Us plebes get toasters. Doctors get something fancier. Maybe a microwave?

[mom0810]

Just a suggestion, but can you check on Dr Sear's website for a non vax friendly doctor in your area?

So sorry that happened to you.

Oh, and I am sure what the dr was promised was more like a vacation or something for having 100% vax compliance. They get all kinds of that stuff.

[Dolphin]

Thanks everyone for your replies and support. I'm still just reeling from the experience, and a little surprised by how hard this has hit me. I had always heard about stuff like this happening but never expected it from her. It was like she was a different person yesterday, and she informed me of her decision in front of both my kids, so I know my 6 year old will be processing it and asking me about it. The crazy thing is she is the one doc on all the local AP message boards that everyone recommended as being very laid back about vaxes and respectful of parents' choices. So it's back to the drawing board.

Ironically I had been noticing a lot more "get your flu shot here", and several pharmaceutical ads in her office over the past several months that weren't there when we first started seeing her. She actually said "I have had many sleepless nights worrying about these kids that aren't immunized"... Wow. *sigh* So frustrating.

[Dolphin]

Originally Posted by kalisis

Aw, that sucks. But really, do you want a doctor seeing your kids who doesn't really want to see/be responsible for them? You're probably better off without her.

BTW - I : Tom Robbins (in your siggy)!

No, you're absolutely right - I don't. I'm just feeling like someone pulled the rug out from under me at the moment - waiting to get my footing back.

and I love love love Tom Robbins

[medusaatemydog]

Originally Posted by TanyaLopez

That's a bummer. But if she said it was just fine when you first interviewed her, I'm guessing the real reason she's doing this is pressure from either insurance companies (the ones who pay her paycheck) or her own insurer (the liability insurance she purchases) or both. Take a look at the other thread someone started about their insurance company--reviews like that, checking whether kids are up-to-date, are intended to put pressure on doctors. She may just be making a practical financial decision, which has got to suck for her too. Our old family doc (from when I was a kid, I mean) felt a lot of pressure on a lot of things from the insurance companies, I think it really detracted from the enjoyment he got from helping people.

eta: It's the Don't I live in a free country thread

that is probably spot on... i had read somewhere that pharmacutcal corporations own a large share in or of insurance companies....it seems to me that much of this would have been unconstitutional at some point in this countrys' history... my doctor doesn't accept alot of insurance, and from my own experience... when it comes to general medicine ..insurance only covers the cheapest most toxic medial treatments that i do not use anyway... modern medicine has it's place but the problems that are occuring... the medical establishment is crossing the line. how can these doctors call themselves doctors? do they even have a conscience?

[runes]

On several levels, it's sucks that you were fired, but a part of me wants to give you a big old hearty CONGRATULATIONS for finding out the true colors of this particular practice.

[Dolphin]

Originally Posted by kidspiration

On several levels, it's sucks that you were fired, but a part of me wants to give you a big old hearty CONGRATULATIONS for finding out the true colors of this particular practice.

Thanks kidspiration I think it is a good thing in the long run. I was trying to think of one benefit she has offered, some piece of advice or treatment that has actually benefited my family over the past two years. I couldn't think of one thing. I guess she's just been that conventional medicine safety net that made me feel like I was doing something semi-normal by at least consulting her during an illness.

[MidnightCommando]

Originally Posted by Gitti

I bet big pharma promised her a toaster if 100% of her patients are up to date on vaccines. She sold out! imo

:

I was at our peds this morning and noticed a plaque on the wall claiming a 100% vaccination rate, from the department of health. It was dated the year before DD started going there While our ped is not on board with our decision she doesn't hound me when i go in there - just ask me if I've changed my mind - I say no and that is that.

OP - that really stinks. Could you ask them their reasons for deciding that? I hope you find a better MD

[newyorkone]

Welcome to the club. You're better off without her IMHO...

Good luck on your search for a REAL doctor.

[angie7]

I think we are going to be hearing about more and more of these with President Obama's new stimilus bill that has a healthcare clause in it. It's very scary for those that don't vax....

[Dolphin]

Originally Posted by angie7

I think we are going to be hearing about more and more of these with President Obama's new stimilus bill that has a healthcare clause in it. It's very scary for those that don't vax....

I'm curious about what you mean Angie... I admit I haven't researched the stimulus bill in detail. Do you have a link to more info?

[gbailey]

I am sorry for your experience. I was about to create a thread regarding something similar. DH and I had a consult with a new ped yesterday and told her that we delay/selectively vax and she said she has absolutely no problem with it and that we are not the only patients she sees who does this. She also has quite a few patients that don't vax at all. She also felt it important to let me know in her 15 years of practice none of her non vaxed patients have ever gotten a disease the parents choose not to vaccinate against. She also mentioned that she is finding that about 90% of doctors will refuse to see a patient if they refuse the MMR. She said the MMR specifically and I found this very odd. Makes me feel even more confident about not giving this vax to DD.

I think it's horrible that the CDC, pediatricians and the pharm companies are trying to bully parents into vaccinating their children. If a parent wants to vaccinate fine but I don't think a doctor should turn patients away.

I am also highly offended that she said this in front of your children. Not a conversation they needed to be privy to.

[Dolphin]

Originally Posted by gbailey

I am sorry for your experience. I was about to create a thread regarding something similar. DH and I had a consult with a new ped yesterday and told her that we delay/selectively vax and she said she has absolutely no problem with it and that we are not the only patients she sees who does this. She also has quite a few patients that don't vax at all. She also felt it important to let me know in her 15 years of practice none of her non vaxed patients have ever gotten a disease the parents choose not to vaccinate against. She also mentioned that she is finding that about 90% of doctors will refuse to see a patient if they refuse the MMR. She said the MMR specifically and I found this very odd. Makes me feel even more confident about not giving this vax to DD.

I think it's horrible that the CDC, pediatricians and the pharm companies are trying to bully parents into vaccinating their children. If a parent wants to vaccinate fine but I don't think a doctor should turn patients away.

I am also highly offended that she said this in front of your children. Not a conversation they needed to be privy to.

Thank you gbailey - I'm glad you've found a good one. The fact that she said everything in front of my kids is probably the worst part of the whole experience. I've done a little research and apparently in my state, doctors are supposed to follow some sort of protocol to terminate the patient/doctor relationship. She didn't follow any of the "rules", although I'm not sure how set in stone they are. I am considering filing a complaint with the medical board over the way she handled it. And I do feel bullied -it's very frustrating.