Doctors' Offices and Test Results

[Christine]

Why is it always such a huge deal.

I had some bloodwork done last Wednesday. One of the tests I'm VERY anxious about. My doctor generally calls me directly during his lunch (12:00-1:15) or afterhours.

So, I've been GLUED to my office phone since Thursday. No calls.

I was just laying on the couch, watching the news, and my house phone rings (it is across the room). I scramble to get to it, see my doctor's name on the caller ID, and grab it between the third and fourth ring. I say "Hello" and all I hear is a dial tone. I guess I didn't answer fast enough (my voicemail will come on at the 5th ring so I know it wasn't that long).

Of course, I call them RIGHT back but they are closed. GRRRRRRRRRR.....so now I get to wait around tomorrow.

 

[disfan07]

I'm right there with you. I had a Head CT done last wednesday and i called on friday to see of they had gotten the results yet have and they didnt have them so they said they will probably have them on monday.
Well, mondays here and they never called....if they dont call by like 1:00 tomorrow i'm going to be calling... again.
Getting test results is like pulling teeth sometimes

 

[WDWAurora]

Drives me crazy. One I called multiple times and left messages asking about the results. They NEVER called back with them. One I hadn't been worried about came back BAD. Finally, after 2 months I had to go back in, and that's when I found out the results. Not fun to hear. Especially since they retested, and it was apparently an error. I spent weeks in terror because they wouldn't call me back, then I had to redo the test, and in the end, everything was fine. ARG!

 

[Christine]

This new doctor is actually very good about the test results. He calls the day the tests arrive in his office and he calls personally--normal or abnormal results. I just always feel like it's Murphy's Law when it comes to getting these darned things. I mean, I waited and waited, didn't really expect a call at 5:00 p.m. to tell you the truth and when I get it, I guess I didn't get to the phone "fast" enough. Now tomorrow, you watch, he'll call when I have to go to the ladies room.

 

[disfan07]

Yeah i completely understand that it must be murphys law when it comes to these phone calls.

In the past 3 weeks ive only missed 3 phone calls....and guess who form...ALL from doctors about test results. But somehow i never miss a call when my parents or my friends call

 

[Ohiodislover]

Yep--Been there-done that. Years ago, when I was pregnant with my first DD, I had the AFP test done, and then left for Disney. I called home to get messages, and the Dr. office had left one about the results. I called the office, on 12/23 and the nurse stated that the Dr. wanted to speak to me in person, but was out for Christmas, and New Years, and wouldn't be able to discuss the results until he was back. Try enjoying the holidays in WDW, thinking something is wrong w/ your baby When I returned home, and finally spoke w/ him, and he told me "everything looks good" I laid him out. The nurse later called an apologized. Just frickin ridiculous.

OP- Hope Everything turns out OK

 

[maps]

Unfortunately it seems like no matter how you handle it, it may never be right for the person waiting.

I had a patient who got blood work done at 9am and at 2pm was calling looking for the results. This was for routine cholesterol check.

Imagine if everyone who got blood work wanted their test results immediately---depending on the size of the practice, that could mean thousands of phone calls just to let people know their results are normal.

Since my practice is small, I have the ability to call people personally with their results but I also work in a large clinic with thousands of patients and we send out letters.

Just know that we try our best!

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Why is it always such a huge deal.

I had some bloodwork done last Wednesday. One of the tests I'm VERY anxious about. My doctor generally calls me directly during his lunch (12:00-1:15) or afterhours.

So, I've been GLUED to my office phone since Thursday. No calls.

I was just laying on the couch, watching the news, and my house phone rings (it is across the room). I scramble to get to it, see my doctor's name on the caller ID, and grab it between the third and fourth ring. I say "Hello" and all I hear is a dial tone. I guess I didn't answer fast enough (my voicemail will come on at the 5th ring so I know it wasn't that long).

Of course, I call them RIGHT back but they are closed. GRRRRRRRRRR.....so now I get to wait around tomorrow.

I would change doctors - that is a pet peeve of mine. All of my doctors participate in an online program - I get test results and emails from my doctors as soon as they do. I can make appointments and email my docs with questions. No waste of time waiting for phone calls.

 

[Christine]

I would change doctors - that is a pet peeve of mine. All of my doctors participate in an online program - I get test results and emails from my doctors as soon as they do. I can make appointments and email my docs with questions. No waste of time waiting for phone calls.

I have yet to find a doctor who does this and I have looked.

Good news--I called the doctor a few minutes ago and he got right on the phone with. The *bad* test came out good (it's a cancer marker). My ferritin (iron stores) were low but I kind of expected that.