Re: Vent (sorry!)...doc didn't run tests I asked for...why rely on an old Dx?
From: Dona (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 4 Nov 2001 13:02:55 -0600 (CST)
This is all very true Bell,but most doctors know about how long to
expect tests back and so do there staff, and also know how busy they
are.Maybe they shouldnt tell a patient they will call them back tomorrow
if they can not.Maybe they should tell the truth from the start and
say..."I will call you in a few days or a week",or.."I don't think you
need all the same tests done lets just go with an old diagnosis".What if
the old DX was wrong?
I feel lucky to have an RE who did do all my tests over again.Not only
did he find that they were incomplete,but that not all of the tests
needed were done.My last doc had dropped the ball with me.He also is one
who never called back when he said he would.Very frustrating.My new
Doctor at Stanford Medical center always calls me back when he say's he
would and has had tests back in a day or 2 because fortunately they do
have an inhouse lab in the REI.I was going to an outside local lab and
he was getting very fustrated with them not getting labs back in a
timely manner so I had to start having them done at the REI lab.He
called and asked me not to go to my local lab anymore because he was
upset with them.
I am very fortunate to have found this caring and understanding Doc who
always follows up and does what he says he is going to do.and if he is
not the one to call me personally he at least has a nurse call me with
test results and RX's for medication or to tell me they are waiting for
certain tests or things to happen.
We wre not in the room with Chris at her appointment and we don't know
exactly what was said.All we know is that she is dissapointed with her
doctor for making statements or promises she could not for some reason
keep. I don't blame Chris for being upset and fustrated with this "New
Doc" I would think that if a new doc would want to impress and keep a
pateint they would at least make a phone call to tell the patient that
things are going to take longer than expected and that not all the tests
were needed.I know thats what my doctor would have done.Especailly after
telling him about the bad experiences at my old RE.There are some really
caring doctors out there who make an effort no matter how busy the
office is.I think that work load or being busy is a piss poor
excuse.sorry
By the way I work for a Dentist and if we practiced dentistry and ran
our office the way that some of these MD's do ..we would be out of
business.We always return phone calls and call patients with Dx or
treatment plans when we say we will.Sorry about my Rant..I think I am
just PMSing,but I feel better now.
Dona
>At Sat, 3 Nov 2001, Belle wrote:
>This is going to hurt, but you deserve the truth.
>
>The internist talked with you for over an hour, did her homework, let
>you go get your blood drawn to make you happy and you are still upset. I
>can tell you exactly why you did not get the tests you asked for: The
>were not necessary! You already have a diagnosis of PCOS. The test you
>want are for the diagnosis of PCOS. They are not necessary for the
>treatment of PCOS.
She was also told that she would see what additional tests were needed.
I guess no additional were needed.
>
>She did the right thing by not jumping in with both feet to untested
>waters. This is a dr who will not recommend unnecessary procedures or
>surgeries. This is a dr who will not have patients with antibiotic
>strains of strep.
>
>What answers do you need? You have the diagnosis so it would seem that
>you need treatment. The endocrinologist would be better prepared to
>offer tx for insulin problems (I hope that you asked for insulin/glucose
>levels since they would have been informative).
>
>BTW, these tests are *extremely* expensive. You could easily get a bill
>for $700 - $800.
>
>The person who told you that the dr would get the results of the test by
>the next day probably lied. Here's why: It takes time to run the tests.
>They do not have a room full of little mice in the next room who sing
>and run tests all day and make gown for princesses at night. (I guess
>that is the way I always figured it.) Then your results need to be
>reviewed by a supervisor (who also has a million other things on their
>plate). Then the results are written up, put into the computer, put
>into your file, your insurance information is cross-referenced and your
>doctor is noted. It is only then that the doctor is notified.
>
>Assuming that they faxed the doctor immediately (and that no one else
>had test that were completed before yours whose doctors were in the
>process of being notified when your results hit the desk), the doctor's
>office probably had other patients waiting and may have not been able to
>jump up to get your results right away. Even if they did, they then had
>to pull your file, put your transcribed results in it and give it to the
>doctor. The doctor may have had other patients, possibly some in the
>hospital, possibly some that she had to do homework on, possibly some
>that had cancer.
>
>Bottom line, it is not uncommon for it to take two weeks for the results
>to come back, be transcribed and get to the doctor. If your doctor
>actually did some research for you, that could take more that a day as
>well. They may not have been aware of how long that this could take
>until they got involved with it. If you have ever done research, you
>know that this is true. There is a huge possibility that you were not
>her only patient that day. Charts, reports, follow ups, etc. have to
>be done even if you want immediate results.
>
>You do not mention that the office became upset with you because of your
>phone calls. It sounds like they are patient, reasonable people.
>
>I do however understand that you were anxious and you wanted to know but
>I ask you to look at reality. What we have is terrible and I would not
>wish it on anyone but the truth is that if we have to wait a week or two
>or more for a doctor who is willing to treat us as humans, it is worth
>it to get the right treatment.
>
>At Sat, 3 Nov 2001, Chris wrote:
>> I went to a new internist three weeks ago.
>>She talked to me for over an hour (!!!!) and I left feeling so great,
>>hopeful, and excited. >So I tell her I was dxed w/PCOS in August 2000 by ultrasound,
>>anovulation, acne, lh:fsh ratio, but got pregnant shortly after that so
>>I never have received treatment. I gave her a list of tests I
>>wanted...she agreed my problems could all be hormonally based. So she
>>says she's going to "do some homework" to determine which additional
>>tests she wants run before I have blood drawn, so I can get it "all over
>>with in one fell swoop" the doc will have the results
>>tomorrow. So another week passes (no call) and I finally demand the
>>office fax me the results. So I get the results....SHE DIDN'T TEST ANY
>>OF MY HORMONES!!!!!!
>> (the basics, testosterone, estrogen,
>>progesterone, lh, fsh, etc.)
>
> But I need answers! I have an appt.
>>with a new endocrinologist on Tuesday...
>> I
>>will pay cash for these darn tests if I need to, I don't even care about
>>insurance, all I want is for somebody, ANYBODY to RUN THE TESTS!!!!!!
>Love, Chris
>
>--
>Hope this helps you understand,
>
>Belle
>
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