For patients struggling with chronic back or neck pain, the experience of trying to seek help for their symptoms can be almost as frustrating as the limitations their pain imposes on their lives. Neck and back pain can arise from a variety of causes, and determining both the source of the pain and an effective treatment plan may not be straightforward. Trust between patient and physician is essential to promote the best outcomes, as it leads to a more collaborative and effective treatment process and better compliance with treatment recommendations.
However, many factors can erode that trust, ultimately increasing the frustration and dissatisfaction patients feel about the direction and quality of their care. While some may be out of the direct control of either doctor or patient, others are not. Before you settle for a less-than-satisfactory patient experience, it is worth examining some common causes of frustration.
When somebody is dealing with chronic back or neck pain, they’re often not at their best—worn down from attempting to maintain their regular work schedule despite their discomfort, or chafing because the pain is severe enough to sideline them as they seek answers. Encountering obstacles in obtaining effective care takes someone who is already primed for distrust and confirms their lurking suspicions about healthcare in general and perhaps the provider they’re dealing with in particular. Such obstacles include:
| Healthcare challenge | How it impacts patient experience |
| Limited access to care | Difficulty navigating the healthcare system, such as having to obtain pre-authorizations to see relevant specialists, then enduring long wait times for appointments with those experts. Someone who believes they’re not receiving timely or appropriate care understandably feels abandoned and neglected. |
| Inadequate explanations | A lack of clear and sufficient information about the cause of their pain and treatment options. When patients feel their physician isn’t spending enough time explaining their condition, they leave appointments with unanswered questions and uncertainty rather than confidence in their treatment plan. |
| Perceived lack of validation | Perceiving negative attitudes or a lack of belief from clinicians as to the severity or impact of their pain. Patients want to feel heard and believed by their physicians, especially when dealing with chronic pain, and having that downplayed or dismissed can lead to frustration and decreased satisfaction. |
| Differing expectations and goals | Patients may prioritize symptom relief while physicians may prioritize diagnosis and treatment, even when that has different impacts on pain management. Having differing perspectives and goals can hinder the development of a collaborative, mutually agreeable treatment plan. |
| Lack of shared decision-making | Shared decision-making, where patients are treated as informed partners in their pain treatment plans, can lead to increased satisfaction and improved outcomes. Conversely, patients who don’t feel like active participants in their treatment decisions can become frustrated. |
| Assumptions about patient motives | In some situations, physicians may assume that patients seeking pain relief are exaggerating symptoms to obtain medication. This attitude of suspicion can set up an adversarial relationship that hinders shared, mutually respectful decision-making. |
| Cultural and racial differences | Some patients, especially those from minority groups, may experience additional challenges in communicating their pain concerns to physicians and can feel that their pain is not taken seriously enough. This may lead to disparities in pain management and contribute to patient frustration. |
Once the tone of the patient-provider relationship has been set with each speaking past each other or treating what the other says with suspicion, it can be very difficult to repair. We prefer not to go down that path at all.
We understand that when patients come to our office with a bulging disc, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or any of a range of conditions that can cause chronic neck or back pain, what matters is not the notes in their chart but how well the care we provide works to give them back the quality of life they deserve. Dr. Tiffany Rogers, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a background in physical therapy, pursued medical training after suffering a back injury during her senior year of college. Her experience as a patient herself informs her holistic, patient-centered approach to finding the least invasive means to effectively relieve back and neck pain. Whether this means a non-operative approach such as physical therapy, medication, or spinal injections or a surgical procedure like artificial disc replacement or spinal fusion, Dr. Rogers will create an individualized treatment plan that is right for you. To find out more about your options, contact us here today.
Physicians are welcome to send referrals over. Dr. Rogers is all about helping the community.
Yes, everyone has the right to get a second opinion. Often times there could be primary care physicians who are great at what they do, but your condition may require a specialist who has spent years learning about the spine, chronic pain, and your specific condition. That is what Dr. Rogers specializes in: spine health. Get her opinion so you can get your life back together. Get help today, call 310-295-9269
Every spine surgeon has a different approach. Dr. Rogers is about getting you the right help, and she is an expert in solutions that may involve physical therapy, fusion surgery, and, of recent times, with brilliant innovation with synthetic disc replacement, a.k.a. artificial disc replacement. Some spell this as artificial disk replacement – take your pick – Dr. Rogers can help either way.
Mike was barely able to walk. I did his surgery and now he’s traveling the world with his wife! That pic is from Africa, hiked up to see mountain gorillas…
I feel very blessed to have walked in to the office for a consultation with Dr Rogers. On that day upon review of my MRI report she determined that I needed emergency surgery due to extremely compressed spinal cord at C3/4. Now I knew it was compressed for some time but I avoided going to the surgeon because I was afraid to have surgery. She calmly explained the alternatives to not having the surgery and it was a no brainer. My symptoms had gotten really bad and I knew she was right. I trusted her judgement and I am so happy that I had the surgery. Almost immediately my symptoms improved!! All of the nurses and other doctors at Torrance Memorial praised her work also and she was very well respected. I would recommend Dr Rogers because not only was my surgery a success but she also showed great compassion for me because I was very sad to be in the hospital during the Holidays. To me this shows she cares about healing the whole person.
I have Dr Rogers to thank for the rest of my life. At 12 I was told by a specialist that I was born with a deformity in my spine which was causing slight scoliosis. At 20, I started experiencing back pain, constantly feeling the need to crack my back for some relief, tossing and turning all hours of the night, seeking massages. As I started to get older, the pain only increased. By 23, my back began to “lock” on me. I would bend over or lean forward and my nerves would pitch, causing me to not be able to move for a few seconds. At first I had kaiser insurance, the “spinal specialist” if you can even call her that said there was no possible surgery to fix my spine and back pain. She told me PT and epidural spinal injections were the answer….. (wrong, very wrong!) I got this run around with kaiser for 2 years!!!!
By 25, I was BEYOND frustrated and in pain, so my (now) husband put me on his insurance, and I was able to find Dr Rogers. She requested an MRI and X-rays, and saw what was wrong with my spine and what needed to be done. I needed a spinal fusion and decompression. She even referred me to a spinal specialist in LA, to get a second recommendation, and he agreed with everything she wanted to do for my surgery. I had full trust in Dr Rogers. She was always kind, always informative, and reassured me I was going to be alright. As a fellow athlete, she understood what I was sacrificing for this surgery. My love for playing soccer would have to come to an end post surgery due to the risk of blowing out another level of my spine. She was compassionate and again gave me reassurance I would eventually be pain free and be able to carry my own children which was the most important to me.
I underwent my lumbar spinal surgery with a spinal fusion and decompression August 2016. The pain and recovery I experienced post surgery was the most pain I’ve ever felt. Pain meds helped, but you really have to be dedicated to taking the vitamins Dr Roger recommends, and doing the amazing PT she prescribed. The PT was Pilates based, and it seriously did my recovery wonders.
By March 2017, I was ready to move to another state and went in for one last check up with Dr Rogers. She did another X-ray, and told me that my fusion looked so good and healthy , that I could start playing soccer again. Not competitively, but recreationally, and now I am nearly 2 years post spinal surgery, playing on 2 soccer teams, active in the gym, and my husband and I are trying to start a family.
I still experience soreness in my lower spine if I lift too heavy of objects the wrong way or work out too hard, but that is to be expected. I have been off any type of medication spine related for over a year now, and it’s nothing a little ice won’t cure. All in all I have a lot to thank Dr Rogers for. She saved my back.
Thank you so much Dr Rogers!!!!
Dr Rogers has been taking care of my back issues for years. It came to a point that I did need a major surgery. A fusion. I am so glad it was done. Just wished I’d done it earlier. My leg pain is gone, the back spasms are gone , feeling like my ribs were stabbing me is also gone and though I’m still healing I feel so much better. I am so grateful to Dr Rogers !! I would highly recommend her for spine issues. Forever thankful!! The staff is professional and friendly also.
Update!!
It’s been a year and a half since my back surgery with Dr Rogers and I’m doing great!! Thank you again Dr Rogers!!
There are two major factors in my thinking a doctors office is 5 stars… #1 is the office and staff itself… #2 is the moment you meet the doctor and how they present themselves to you. Being someone that’s had multiple surgeries, dealt with dozens of doctors and facilities… if these two are in line when you go on your first visit, you know the experience and the healing to come will be worth it.
I have to say, the offices, ease of getting there, parking… were amazing… the staff at the front desk (and on the phone for that matter) were some of the most engaging, informative and easy to deal with that I’ve ever encountered. They made it EASY for me to check in, etc… I was taken in at the exact time of my appointment (I did listen and get there 15 minutes early) and was escorted through, had X-rays and waited for Dr. Rogers…
The moment I met Dr. Rogers, I had faith that I was in the right hands. Her eye contact, the way she shook my hand, the way she listened… the deep understanding she immediately had for my symptoms and the journey I’ve been on for the last 10 years after of my spine surgery in New York… made me incredibly calm and gave me such peace.
I see her again next week, after a battery of tests… but I look forward to finding answers with this healing doctor and her colleagues and staff…
xoxox
I am writing this review on behalf of Dr. Rogers patient, Yolanda Phelps.
Dr.Rogers performed an anterior cervical disectomy and cervical fusion on me last Tuesday. I am home now and my recovery is going great. Dr. Tiffany Rogers was so caring, thorough, and made me feel so comfortable during this difficult procedure. She took very good care of me and I am so thankful for her help.
Also her PA Jeff was so kind and helpful as well. Thank you so much you two for everything!!
PS don’t waste time going through pain go to dr. Tiffany Rogers. She does all the bells and whistles!!
Dr. Rogers is Exceptional. I am a patient of hers. I was in extreme pain Christmas week. Doctor Rogers ordered an MRI. Diagnosis was dislocated shoulder. I called her office 12/27/18. Doctor called back. She asked if I could be in her office immediately. I saw her within 1/2 hour. She injected me with Cortisone.What a God given gift!
Dr. Rogers is obsessed with the ability to heal. She went above and beyond to releive my pain.
Thank you Dr. Rogers.
