Being referred to a specialist at UVA? (Richmond, Charlottesville: health insurance, school)

[va_lucky]

So my wife is sick in the Fredericksburg area and the doctor here won't touch my wife without getting a second opinion from a Doctor at UVA because she has been kicked around from doctor to doctor a few times.

I feel strange about sending my wife to a Doctor at UVA. Does that mean that my wife will be looked at by a student? That makes me feel uncomfortable for more than one reason:

1) Is my wife possibly becoming some sort of example for the media?

2) I don't want anyone inexperienced looking at my wife.

3) This delays my wife's treatment (which can wait but there's always a chance I could get fired and lose my health insurance). This is the USA and that is how things work sometimes!

Maybe I just don't understand how Universities work. I just want the best for my wife.

Thanks for helping me understand what this might be about.

[YesMovingagain]

Dearest, UVA is the best state school in the entire united states of America. People that write the books about conditions work there. No, your wife will not be a guinea pig and no, a swarm of pimple face students won't come to experiment on her. That is not how it ok'd. In every hospital they may be n intern or a student to observe, but they will ask you and you have the right to decline. if she is being seen by an specialist, rest assured that she will get the very best, she is not being referred there for no reason. I think you are indeed misunderstanding how UVA works. Good luck and best of wishes for the prompt recovery of your wife.

[va_lucky]

Originally Posted by YesMovingagain

Dearest, UVA is the best state school in the entire united states of America. People that write the books about conditions work there. No, your wife will not be a guinea pig and no, a swarm of pimple face students won't come to experiment on her. That is not how it ok'd. In every hospital they may be n intern or a student to observe, but they will ask you and you have the right to decline. if she is being seen by an specialist, rest assured that she will get the very best, she is not being referred there for no reason. I think you are indeed misunderstanding how UVA works. Good luck and best of wishes for the prompt recovery of your wife.

Lol, thank you for your help. Your post is encouraging! You just never know these days, so it makes sense to ask. Sorry if I offended anyone in C-ville

[emsman]

The student part was covered in the first reply, students may participate in her care w/ her consent and then it's all overseen by a Doctor at all times.

For your specific questions;
1) Nothing can be told to the media without her consent.

2) At least at UVA your told if they are a student or not. At other hospitals you may get someone who was just 'released' to go it alone.

3)File the FMLA papers with your job, they can't fire you as long as you file the FMLA papers as early as possible to let them know you have to care for your wife. It's a wonderful Federal Law, your absence from work is allowed without penalty and your job is protected to a degree.

If she needs more than the "local" hospital can give then she needs UVA. All the complicated stuff goes there or MCV in Richmond. As State hospitals they have access to a lot more resources, my friend had a specalist flown in from Boston by UVA to care for her.

[va_lucky]

Originally Posted by emsman

The student part was covered in the first reply, students may participate in her care w/ her consent and then it's all overseen by a Doctor at all times.

For your specific questions;
1) Nothing can be told to the media without her consent.

2) At least at UVA your told if they are a student or not. At other hospitals you may get someone who was just 'released' to go it alone.

3)File the FMLA papers with your job, they can't fire you as long as you file the FMLA papers as early as possible to let them know you have to care for your wife. It's a wonderful Federal Law, your absence from work is allowed without penalty and your job is protected to a degree.

If she needs more than the "local" hospital can give then she needs UVA. All the complicated stuff goes there or MCV in Richmond. As State hospitals they have access to a lot more resources, my friend had a specalist flown in from Boston by UVA to care for her.

Thank you as well!

[AudioDon]

I am very impressed with the results the docs get at UVA. Yes, since it is a teaching hospital, there will be a few students trailing the physician and listening to your interaction. If that does not bother you, you will receive excellent care.

[va_lucky]

Thanks...it seems like a whole new world in Charlottesville by the way....I have found people to be much more polite than Fredericksburg at the hospital as compared to the hospitals in the F-Berg area.

Originally Posted by AudioDon

I am very impressed with the results the docs get at UVA. Yes, since it is a teaching hospital, there will be a few students trailing the physician and listening to your interaction. If that does not bother you, you will receive excellent care.