<p>I went to see a medical specialist last Monday for some symptoms. The doctor did not examine me after taking a medical history. The doctor ordered some blood tests and prescribed medication for my symptoms (he “squeezed me into his day” last minute, and I appreciated that). He said that “we would talk” after the blood test results are in and let me know that other testing may also be required. I had not heard back from the office, so I called them yesterday morning. I knew that they had the test results on Tuesday. The blood test results are sitting on the doctor’s desk. I asked the office to fax the lab results to me and provided a fax number. The person who took the call told me that my blood results look “fine” and that she will fax the results to me once the doctor reviews them. </p>
<p>It is now Thursday and I still have not heard back from this doctor. I don’t want to be impatient and annoying, but I know that I still need medical attention and I feel that my medical problems are being ignored at this point. I have not even had an exam yet! I know that not having more medical care until next week won’t kill me, but I know that my symptoms can also get worse. What would you do?</p>
<p>I understand that they don’t want to give out medical info before a doctor has reviewed or explained the results. Frankly, I can work around him for these results because I was smart enough to also have the results sent to my regular doctor too. What I need more is advice as to how to proceed. At this point I am thinking of taking the lab work and switching doctors. OTOH, I want to give this doctor a chance. Just don’t know when to throw in the towel. </p>
<p>I think that I am going to call them and tell them that I need someone from the office to call me and follow up. Then I think that I sit back and wait until the end of the day before contacting a new doctor. </p>
<p>Hi nemom.
Understand your apprehension. Don’t know what your symptoms are, and its fine to be private about them, but speaking in generalities, there are lots of things for which an “exam” might not be immediately indicated, and that initial labwork might be the appropriate first route. If you are having trouble reaching the doctor and the lab results have been cc’d to your primary care, it might make sense to call your PCP. Good luck.</p>
<p>jym, I am annoyed at this point because I am beginning to believe that I am not getting proper medical care. I know that I can get the blood results from my GP though. Thanks.</p>
<p>Thanks for your post because I called my doctor’s office quite a while ago and asked them to maill me my lab results. They haven’t so I just called and asked them to fax them to me. That is one thing that drives me crazy…they can bill me $300+ for blood tests, but never think I deserve a copy of them.</p>
<p>Don’t know what kind of specialist you saw, NEM, but perhaps the Dr. has a nurse or PA return calls after results are in, but still needs to review the lab, sign off on it and make any recommendations, if indicated, before that call is made. Sometimes just getting a lab result faxed isn’t going to tell you what it means or what to do, nor is it really a good practice of medicine. Perhaps calling the specialists office one more time, especially if you are still symptomatic (thats the key thing to mention, IMO) and asking to speak to the Drs nurse, PA or whoever is the first line of contact, to see if you can get some answers. Good luck.</p>
<p>jym, I know that I require more medical work up and I know that I must speak with either the nurse or the doctor. I am just wondering how long of a wait is reasonable at this point.</p>
<p>I understand that you are anxious to hear something, but if the Drs office uses an outside lab, the labs usually get picked up at the end of the day (Monday) and it sounds like the results came back maybe yesterday (if it wasn’t ordered as a “stat” order, it might not get a 24 hr turnaround - not 100% sure of this). If the results are benign and don’t require some urgent follow-up, its possible that there were other ones that required a higher priority response. Not meaning to minimize the importance of whatever it is that is going on for you, but just saying there may have been issues with a higher urgency, or that he was called into the hospital for some emergency issue (what kind of specialist did you see?). And some doctors make calls at the end of their workday. Again, its hard to say with limited information, but it doesn’t sound like you are not getting proper care. </p>
<p>It may be day 3 from your visit (don’t know what time of day you were seen) but it may be less than 24 hrs since the lab results came back. If you are anxious, as we have all suggested, certainly, call again. But no news may be good news :)</p>
<p>I personally think three days is too long. I am a firm believer that some of the best medical care is care of the mind and spirit as well as the body. NEM is obviously stressed out over the situation, as I would be, and I think most doctors would tell you that stress is good for nothing.</p>
<p>If I were in your situation, I would call and ask to speak with a nurse. Explain that you are stressed out, wanting answers and ask for her/him to help you. If she/he blows you off, simply ask if she knows another doctor in the field that she can recommend to help you. Empathize with her/him and tell her/him that you are confident in their ability but you understand at any given time, everyone can be overwhelmed. But your number one priority is your health and you are simply trying to make sure you are getting the care you deserve.</p>
<p>I bet you have your answers and a game plan in 15 minutes or less. :)</p>
<p>Eight kids, a husband, some dogs…I don’t wait well. And I have dealt with enough bunk in my life to figure out how to wiggle around it…lol.</p>
<p>I cannot think of a reason why you would want to continue with this doctor. (There may be one which you simply have not posted). Let’s say he finally gets back to you today. Assuming you need further treatment, is this the MD and practice where you want to receive it?</p>
<p>collegeshopping, thanks for your post. I needed that.</p>
<p>jmmom, I would rather not switch so quickly, but I am on the fence about it currently. Nice to hear from you and see that you are still reading CC! Hope all is well with you and yours!</p>
<p>Another thing to consider is the physician’s schedule. Again we don’t know what kind of specialist but some general thoughts…</p>
<p>Most of my experiences have come with orthopedic surgeons so maybe it’s different for others, but these guys work crazy schedules. I know one of our team physicians travels about 90 minutes to see patients one day a week I think. Then they have time set aside for surgery. Then they have time to see patients. </p>
<p>I just received faxed blood test results. I’m so glad that I pressed to receive them. The first time I went to a doc in this practice three years ago, the results went on for two pages…the extensive testing is what diagnosed the autoimmune condition, plus they tested for cholesterol, etc. I thought that this is what was being run every six months. Now that I have seen the results, I find that they are now only testing for a few things. I’m going to ask the doctor about this tomorrow.</p>
<p>Okay, just got off the phone with the office. I waited until noon because I kinow that today they have late hours (late start, and evening hours). I started by asking to speak with the nurse, who was “with a patient”. The receptionist saw that my labwork was in. I asked her to fax it to me (we’ll see if it gets faxed this time). She noted my concerns and said that she is going to have the doctor call me, as some notes about further testing were made in my records (I knew about this). So, I wait. If I do not hear by tomorrow (early AM), I will go to a new doctor tomorrow. Thanks everyone.</p>
<p>I crossposted with you Missypie. Glad that you have your test results! Now for me to get mine…</p>