Do Doctors Have to Tell You?
I’ve been going to the same doctor for a rare disease for 3 months now. Just got through my 2nd surgery to see if the disease has spread. And they recieved my pathology reports back today with the result if it has spread. I called to see what the pathology reports said and they told me that I would need to wait until my next appointment; which is 2 weeks away b/c the doctor need to speak with me in person?!? Is that usually a bad sign. I mean; its not like they have not given me results over the phone before. And the girl I spoke with is a girl that knows me by name. I speak with her at least a few times a week about some issue. I’m just very concerned. And I asked her to mail me my records then if she couldnt tell me over the phone and she said she would have to ok it with the doctor. If I have filled out a release for my medical records; do they not have to send it no matter what?? I’m very frustrated. I feel like my full time job is fighting with the medical profession.
It’s always best to get the results in person because that’s what doctors are there for rather than just machines. Sometimes results need further explanation, sometimes it is bad news and sometimes its good news. It’s never a good idea to go through your own reports . Hope the news is better than you think.xx
The bad news first. You just might
be worried about nothing at all.
Now the good news: it would be to
your benefit not to worry about it at
all… period. That’s quite a bit easier
said than done, what you need to
realize here, is that if your doctor
takes as much time as yours is go-
ing over your medical records, it is
because he/she wants to be sure
you aren’t misinformed; that is one
sure sign of a good doctor.
Your doctor’s secretary won’t tell
you anything over the phone not be-
cause she’s on the stubborn side.
Even if she knew what to tell you,
she would not be allowed to. (It’s
simply not her job.)
It’s a doctor’s job to keep their pat-
ients in the best shape possible. It’s
the job of the secretary to make sure
that they keep their appointments,
and to keep their medical insurance
records straight.
Best of health & good luck.