What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? TN
I am a disabled veteran and received treatment at a V.A. clinic for years. My assigned doctor continuously mistreated me by refusing to address my *real* medical concerns, said things to make me upset, wrote untruthful comments in my medical records and sent me to the lab with orders for a PAIN UR (illegal drug test). The doctor never told me he was going to do this NOR did he have a valid reason for doing so. The doctor also wrote in my records that I am NOT disabled and basically accused me of malingering. (I am 90% disabled and receive compensation for my service-connected disabilities - since 1982.) My visits to this doctor continuously resulted in me leaving the clinic in tears with noticeable anxiety and frustration.
I wrote the V.A. a letter of complaint outlining the many times this particular doctor mistreated me, explained details of my visits, his attitude, etc. The V.A. wrote me back to apologize and assigned me to another doctor. I never returned to the clinic for medical assistance. I now use non-VA doctors and specialists for my *real* disabilities.
Is it legal for a doctor to order a drug test on a patient without a valid medical reason or, most importantly, without the patient's consent OR knowledge? Also, is it legal for a doctor to write miscellaneous, derogative and non-professional comments in my records? Thank you.
I am a disabled veteran and received treatment at a V.A. clinic for years. My assigned doctor continuously mistreated me by refusing to address my *real* medical concerns, said things to make me upset, wrote untruthful comments in my medical records and sent me to the lab with orders for a PAIN UR (illegal drug test). The doctor never told me he was going to do this NOR did he have a valid reason for doing so. The doctor also wrote in my records that I am NOT disabled and basically accused me of malingering. (I am 90% disabled and receive compensation for my service-connected disabilities - since 1982.) My visits to this doctor continuously resulted in me leaving the clinic in tears with noticeable anxiety and frustration.
I wrote the V.A. a letter of complaint outlining the many times this particular doctor mistreated me, explained details of my visits, his attitude, etc. The V.A. wrote me back to apologize and assigned me to another doctor. I never returned to the clinic for medical assistance. I now use non-VA doctors and specialists for my *real* disabilities.
Is it legal for a doctor to order a drug test on a patient without a valid medical reason or, most importantly, without the patient's consent OR knowledge? Also, is it legal for a doctor to write miscellaneous, derogative and non-professional comments in my records? Thank you.
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