Posted by Jack Drum on November 20, 2001 at 13:15:30:
In Reply to: Cardiologists approval or disapproval of Maze posted by SuLynn Mester on November 20, 2001 at 00:38:26:
SuLynn, Terry, and most of the others, I can understand the frustration about the cardiologist and other doctors not knowing or not recognize the availability or effectiveness of the maze procedure. There is one other reason that could enter into this, and this reason was given to me by a maze surgeon. I asked one surgeon if he took patients on self referrals or did they have to be referred by a cardiologist.
I can't find his exact letter, but his said,
Most of his patients are self referrals, as many cardiologist do not want to loose a patient to a cure. It is all in the bottom line.
It is a shame that some, (thank God not all), people in the medical profession feel this way. If I had not had a good cardiologist advising me to have the maze I would of never known about it, because at that time I did not have a PC, and no way to access the WWW. I saw my cardiologist shortly after surgery and then at 2 years and at that time he told me not to come back any more.
Since he released me, his group is now doing ablations and they may not be as fast to recommend the maze. I don't know about this, as it is only my guess.
- Re: Cardiologists approval or disapproval of Maze SuLynn Mester 17:49:26 11/20/2001 (0)