Serious question about doctors

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Is it normal for doctors to refuse to discuss test results over the phone and insist you come in, or would you be right to expect the worst from that? Of course they'll say on the phone that it's their policy to not discuss results - but like I get a blood test done at a routine examination, right? When I talk to the doctor, he'll tell me on the phone, "Oh, iron is low but otherwise normal" - I've never had a doctor not tell me a test result over the phone. A couple people I talked to said that's probably a bad sign, but I thought maybe someone here would have experience? I'm clueless on doctors.

(Not that this isn't horribly obvious who it is writing this, hello, but I have to keep my name out of the post because despite my own recent bout with serious illness this isn't actually about me, it's about a friend but he's not telling ANYONE about his problems and I'm afraid someone who knows us both will google my name for some inexplicable reason and find out so I'm going to request really seriously now that if you know who this is writing it you don't say my name, and if you know who I'm talking about you don't say his name, it's actually really important for a lot of reasons - please?)

― no-one, Monday, 3 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Are you familiar with the "Patient's Bill of Rights" in medical care? Go to:

http://www.aha.org/resource/pbillofrights.asp

In my view of the situation you have described, if you really need to know right then and there what your results were over the phone, I believe you have that right as the patient to get your information delivered as YOU want it, not how the doctor wants it. If you don't have an established rapport with that doctor, then at the very least he/she owes you a reasonable and satisfactory explanation for why he/she won't discuss your results with you over the phone, for the very reason you mentioned (instilling unnecessary fear, etc.).

A GOOD practitioner will tell you what you want to know, when and how you want to know it. They will let you read in detail what they want you to sign, not get indignant and huffy. In short, a GOOD doctor is WITH you, not against you. Don't fall for medical establishment power-trip BS; you are a consumer with rights, and the doctor is providing a service that you are paying for, much like anything else. If they can't hack that fact, then take your business elsewhere to a doctor who can.

― Joe, Tuesday, 4 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Years ago I seem to recall doctors' surgeries that gave test results over the phone but none of the doctors I've been to in recent years will. They say it is due to the privacy act but I reckon it's also a money spinner because you have to make another appointment!

I wouldn't take it as a bad sign. Who knows, maybe that doctor has got in strife in the past for giving out results over the phone to the wrong person or something.

― toraneko, Tuesday, 4 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

As the son of a doctor, I can say that there is a legitimate reason for not giving test results over the phone.

Basically, how can the doctor be certain who they're talking to? Test results are confidential between doctor and patient, so by giving you results face to face they eliminate the chance that someone else may get your results.

Jason

― Jason, Tuesday, 4 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I used to get test results over the phone but now don't - I had to come in to get the results of an iron test.

― maryann, Tuesday, 4 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I had to come in for the results of the last test I had, and it actually wasn't anything that serious. So it's not necessarily something bad.

― Nicole, Tuesday, 4 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I had to go to the Dr.'s office for my results.

― Gale, Tuesday, 4 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

so what you're all basically implying is that my friend needs to stop worrying quite so much? The chances are that it's not a great situation but I think he's really overreacting, that even if it's something bad it's probably very treatable because I'm assuming he hasn't let it go on for so long.

― no-one, Tuesday, 4 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

The only thing we can do is take results as they come and trust in God to see you through, in whatever we have to face.

― Gale, Tuesday, 4 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Yeah, confidentiality. Also they are in a better position to explain the meaning of the tests when you are in the office for a scheduled appointment - which got time to properly talk to you. I would be surprised if it was actually the doctor phoning to say they have test results - the receptionist would normally do that, and tro set up a quickly scheduled appointment.

― Pete, Wednesday, 5 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

He's okay, by the way - he will not need chemo or any radical crap like that, it's nothing malignant so it's all good for the time being.

― me again, Wednesday, 5 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Yay!

― Dan Perry, Wednesday, 5 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Ha, I went to confidentally get the results to a pap-smear yesterday only for my doctor to tell me that she had confidentally sent my results to me in the mail...to a previous address...I've moved five times since then.

― toraneko, Friday, 7 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

My sister apparently went to the gyno by herself, quietly, to get birth control (she's 18 so I guess she didn't want to tell my mom yet). Only to have the doctor leave a voicemail at our house telling her all about it. Public voicemail for the whole house. Public speakerphone voicemail. Answered by my dad.

― Ally, Friday, 7 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Hi Ally, That was very unfeeling of that Dr. and If I were your sister I would give him the devil, and find a doctor I could trust.

― Gale, Thursday, 13 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

To no one, I'm happy that your friend did not require chemo. I hope he feels better soon.:)

― Gale, Thursday, 13 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

He is doing a lot better now, he seems happier and more relaxed. I don't know if he's feeling a lot better physically but he seems to be doing healthier.

― no-one, Thursday, 13 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

one year passes...

My question is regarding several spasms ( invonluntary) on my left arm most of the time. Also, when these spasms accure my fingers get paralyzed and I have to separated my fingers to its normal position.It last about a second, but i'm worried that something bad is going to happened if I don't take it of it soon. I am only 20 years old, a current college student.

Thanks,
Marry Lu

― Marry Lu, Thursday, 27 May 2004 19:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Key advice as ever when anyone asks such things here: ask a doctor, not random interweb mentalists.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 27 May 2004 19:19 (twenty-one years ago)

SEE A DOCTOR, DUMBASS.
xpost

― NA (Nick A.), Thursday, 27 May 2004 19:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Now, Martin, don't hide your/our light under a bushel. The people of ILX do a number of things well. May I remind you of our expertise in hair dying? Not to mention ride pimping.

Therefore, I think extremely specific medical advice is something we can dispense with ease. And skill. And a certain, may I say, creative flair.

Now then...

Marry Lu, first it's clear that you're neither a college student nor is your name Marry Lu.

But you are very very stupid. Therefore, I prescribe banging your head against a hard surface until severe concussion develops. Then you won't worry about your punk ass fingers! Problem Solved!

Calling Dr. Bombay! Come right away!

― Skottie, Friday, 28 May 2004 06:14 (twenty-one years ago)

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