Random musings...

I went to my chiropractor's office today to pick up copies of my medical records and x-rays for a so called 'independent medical exam' (IME) earlier today. I asked if I could step inside to grab an apple and a cookie (they cancel each other out...right?). As I grabbed the apple, one of the women working there said to me, "My Daughter said you were rude to her. You were rude to my daughter.", and she didn't look especially pleased either.

She'd told me (before I ended chiropractic care at this office to return to physical therapy) that her daughter worked at the office from where I would be receiving my physical therapy. To be honest, I'd forgotten to look for the girl with 'red streaks' in her hair. I've got enough on my mind to remember that too.

The moment she said I was rude to her daughter, I knew about whom she was talking. I didn't remember 'red streaked hair'. Rather, there was one instance where I was not happy with the person setting up my table for heat therapy. I felt that she was a bit rude, and she did not do things as previous therapists had. When I questioned her, she seemed to take exception to my questioning her. I made the unfortunate mistake of advising one of the therapists I knew that I was not happy with her services when she was within hearing distance (behind a curtain working with another patient). When I was talking to this other therapist, she said, from behind the curtain (directed to the therapist whom I was speaking with), "She's talking about me'.

I did apologise to her for overhearing what was meant to be private. She wasn't meant to hear what I'd said. I don't feel I was rude. I thought, at the time, perhaps she was having a bad day. I then forgot about it. I never gave another thought to it.

Until today.

I feel personally affronted by the situation. This young woman's mother made me feel very uncomfortable. This woman had no right to put me in such an uncomfortable position. She discussed this while a patient walked past. The office manager walked right into the middle of it and seemed a bit confused as to what was going on.

What am I supposed to say? Any parent is going to believe their child over what someone else might say...unless they witness the offending behavior personally. I tried to soft-shoe around what happened, saying that either her daughter's perception or mine that day might not have been the best...and other things along that vein.

I nearly told this woman off. Even if I was rude to her daughter, what business is it of hers to call me on the carpet for it? It's the fricking medical profession, I was in physical therapy, and for all she knew, I might have been in a lot of pain that particular day. Not that I was rude, because I wasn't (though her daughter's perception that day might have been that I was. I have no control over that.). Neither the daughter nor the mother should be discussing me in regards to anything I do as a patient. They work for separate doctor's offices. What happened is a violation of my privacy. If they are talking about me...how can I be assured that my patient confidentiality in other regards is being respected? How can I trust that this is not the only matter regarding myself that was discussed between them?

I called the office manager at the Chiropractic office around 5:45PM today to advise her just how upset and disturbed I am by the situation. The office manager advised me that the situation would be addressed. I was unable to speak to the office manager at the physical therapists office today...but will do so first thing on Monday morning. I may even file a HIPAA violation complaint. I haven't yet decided. I'm not a mean person and do not want either woman to lose their jobs over this. On the other hand, I have the right to privacy when it comes to all aspects of my treatment. It was completely unprofessional for both women to be discussing anything about me, period.

I am *so* not happy. Heck...this warrants the use of a good swear word or three.

I wouldn't have known had the mother not felt the need to advise me of what her daughter said...so in a way, I'm glad she brought this up. I am 'quitting' both offices. I can not return to either office when it is obvious that my confidentiality is not assured, and I am not being treated respectfully.

"Choice of attention - to pay attention to this and ignore that - is to the inner life what choice of action is to the outer. In both cases, a man is responsible for his choice and must accept the consequences, whatever they may be."
-W. H. Auden, A Certain World