WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for June, 1997: Re: Awaiting the results

Re: Awaiting the results

From: D. Ashley Hill, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 17 Jun 1997 23:14:21 -0500 (CDT)

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At Tue, 17 Jun 1997, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote:

>I went for the ultrasound today. I asked the nurse who was taking it, to
>PLEASE show me anything that she sees. In the process of her doing it i say
>her taking pictures of something. When i asked what she was taking pictures
>of, i got told " I cant tell you"! Needles to say i got very upset.

Carrie-

It sure sounds like there is a communication breakdown somewhere, but in defense of the ultrasound tech (who is not a nurse) and the radiologist, I would usually be very unhappy to have either of them making editorial comments to my patients about their ultrasounds. The tech is a trained professional, but is not a doctor or nurse, and as such would not be comfortable making complex medical evaluations. Radiologists are usually extremely bright (in fact, most were near the top of their med school class) but they do not have the benefit of the entire clinical picture, nor have they done the all important pelvic exam. So, their remarks would be pure speculation. The only person really qualified to evaluate the "big picture" is the doctor, midwife, or nurse practitioner who has examined you and knows your history the best.

It sounds like your doctor needs to "tune up" his office staff with regards to considerate communication (and you can help him or her do this by making your feelings known, by letter, with a carbon copy to the office manager). However, your doctor has numerous patients, many of whom had equally important tests ordered that day. It would simply be impossible to field the hundreds (literally) of phone calls from patients who called the same day as their ultrasound (or blood work, or Pap smear, or mammogram) to find out the results and speak to the doctor. It just can't be done, nor is it in the best interests of you or other patients. Please give him or her a few days to get the report from the radiologist, find your chart, review the test results in the context of your history and exam, and call you with the results. As much as you want the results, there are very, very few test results in medicine that cannot wait a few days :)

Please consider voicing your concerns about discourteous staff to the doctor and office manager. It may be just the documentation they are looking for to "educate" that staff member!

Take care, and best of luck with your situation.

Ashley

--
Ashley Hill
D. Ashley Hill, M.D.
Assistant Director, Department of Ob/Gyn
Florida Hospital Family Practice Residency
Orlando, FL
dahmd@gate.net

Next message: Jill: "Re: Post natal Protruding Uterus"
Previous message: Joanne: "Re: help with path report"
In reply to: anonymous@obgyn.net: "Awaiting the results"
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