Damn doctor office won't give test results over the phone.

[DCal430]

Yesterday I had a scan done, and this morning the radiologist sent over the results to the doctor office. The doctor office then calls me, and says I need to see the doctor as soon as possible to go over the result, and ask for me to come in next Tuesday.


I ask the person so was anything serious on the result?
Her response: I can't tell you.

I ask if it was serious the doctor would have told me, instead of having me come in on Tuesday right?
Her response: I can't tell you that.

Can I drop by and pick up the result in person: No you can't. The doctor wants to see you.

I am 99% sure there is NOTHING Remarkable on the results. 99% sure.

Stupid

 

[McLovin]

I bet in Best Korea dear reader would never let this happen.

 

[DCal430]

I am sure they do this to get more money from the insurance, another visit.

 

[DCal430]

I bet in Best Korea dear reader would never let this happen.

Well Best Korea has no disease.

 

[lxskllr]

You should be happy they take privacy seriously. I too can be DCal430 on the phone. Do you want me to have your medical information?

 

[DCal430]

You should be happy they take privacy seriously. I too can be DCal430 on the phone. Do you want me to have your medical information?

Well, ok the phone I understand. But what about dropping by and picking it up.

 

[TheVrolok]

Well, ok the phone I understand. But what about dropping by and picking it up.

Not to worry you at all, but if it were normal I find it hard to believe the Doc would make you come in and speak to him/her personally.

 

[lxskllr]

Well, ok the phone I understand. But what about dropping by and picking it up.

You should be able to get the data imo. There's good reasons and bad reasons to enforce seeing the doctor.

GOOD

There's something wrong, and he needs to go over it with you
There's something questionable that could be misinterpreted by an amateur
He has to finish work previously started

BAD

He's trying to get a paycheck for nothing

See what happens when you go, and the answer may suggest finding another doctor.

 

[Anonemous]

Yea had the same thing happen to a family member. They got a scan done and the doctor gave them the results over email. They sent back 3-4 questions and doctor said to come in to talk. The questions were a simple yes/no and the doctor was done within 5 minutes ($$$).

 

[gorcorps]

Having both cancer and AIDS at the same time isn't news one should get over the phone. It's best to just go talk to him.

 

[KaOTiK]

You can call up the place you got the scan at and request a copy for your records. Most places will give the patient 1 copy of their own at no extra charge. It should also have the notes for whoever looked it over before sending it to your Dr.

 

[brianmanahan]

blame bush

 

[DCal430]

You can call up the place you got the scan at and request a copy for your records. Most places will give the patient 1 copy of their own at no extra charge. It should also have the notes for whoever looked it over before sending it to your Dr.

California actually does not allow this. California requires test results to only be given to the ordering physician, who can then decide to tell you if he wants.

California is one of the few states with this law.

 

[KaOTiK]

California actually does not allow this. California requires test results to only be given to the ordering physician, who can then decide to tell you if he wants.

California is one of the few states with this law.

Wow what a fucking scam.

 

[Brigandier]

Can I have your stuff?

 

[DCal430]

Wow what a fucking scam.

It is because the AMA says that test results without the guiding hands of a doctor to explain them, can cause problems.

 

[TheVrolok]

It is because the AMA says that test results without the guiding hands of a doctor to explain them, can cause problems.

Which can be fairly accurate .. though still a terrible law. I never knew such a thing existed.

 

[Doppel]

It is because the AMA says that test results without the guiding hands of a doctor to explain them, can cause problems.

Oh, is little dcal now complaining about the big bad government being overly burdensome? The irony is delicious. Considering your view on things, this law is made for people like you, to protect you from yourselves.

 

[Kyle]

damn that sucks...w/ my MD/clinic they have a messaging/email type system that my MD has given me test results over and always is quick to respond to follow up q's- never had to go back in.

 

[DCal430]

Yea this is a small family type doctor office. They don't have a website to publish results. I knew this when I selected him. The doctor said it would be too burdensome for an independent doctor like him to run a site like that.

 

[DCal430]

Not to worry you at all, but if it were normal I find it hard to believe the Doc would make you come in and speak to him/her personally.

Actually if you think about it, the fact that the radiologist was able to fax over his report in only a day, means it must be very short, short enough to say nothing was found.

 

[KaOTiK]

Actually if you think about it, the fact that the radiologist was able to fax over his report in only a day, means it must be very short, short enough to say nothing was found.

Or they saw something bad and made it a priority to get it to your Dr so they can get a hold of you :awe:

Back in October when I wasn't well and had a scan done, the next day the Dr called me and wanted to see me as soon as possible and told me not to drink any alcohol at all. Found out my gallbladder was done the day after that call and had to get surgery lol

 

[Gooberlx2]

Yeah, providing a website that delivers secure electronic results, records and communication, while complying all with the required regulations, really isn't terribly feasible for a small private office....or rather they almost certainly wouldn't see a return on the expense.

An office assistant can't deliver results over the phone. Hell, she may not even be able to see the details of the results at all if it isn't pertinent to her job. You probably can get a disc of the scan itself from the radiology center. I know our hospital will provide discs, and most other radioligy depts I've asked before have given me discs if I fill a records request form. Might have to go through the actual records department though if you want the radiologist's notes and whatnot.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Actually if you think about it, the fact that the radiologist was able to fax over his report in only a day, means it must be very short, short enough to say nothing was found.

That doesn't mean anything. Radiologists can read a study pretty quickly if they're experienced.

 

[DCal430]

Yeah, providing a website that delivers secure electronic results, records and communication, while complying all with the required regulations, really isn't terribly feasible for a small private office....or rather they almost certainly wouldn't see a return on the expense.

An office assistant can't deliver results over the phone. Hell, she may not even be able to see the details of the results at all if it isn't pertinent to her job. You probably can get a disc of the scan itself from the radiology center. I know our hospital will provide discs, and most other radioligy depts I've asked before have given me discs if I fill a records request form. Might have to go through the actual records department though if you want the radiologist's notes and whatnot.

Yea, as I said above scans can only be released by the ordering physician in California. When ever you get scans, or lab work places usually have a sign saying something like

"We cannot release results to patients, results can only be released to ordering physician"

The Dr doesn't work on Friday and Monday, so I wonder if it is serious if he would have come in Friday to see me, though probably unlikely if he felt a few day difference wouldn't make a big impact.