When a doctor calls with test results, or Can doctors give test results over the phone A question asked by patients whore desperate to know the results. If results are concerning, they may call you or have a receptionist call to schedule an appointment. Medical records are tricky. nag your doctor. Oh, good, that leads to my joke about the "open" MRI. 2017;64(1):53-59. doi:10.1093/cid/ciw666. I was told my my neuro that they place the scans on some specific software that only the hospital has, so she couldnt give me copies that I could view in a normal computer, but she could tell me what the scans showed. When first meeting with a new healthcare provider, ask about their test result policies. Ask our community of thousands of members your health questions, and learn from others experiences. The rest of them disclosed different views; some said: info should not always be conveyed exactly, because patients need to hear what is appropriate at the time. Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. I was there for about an hour. | Reasons and Precautions, When i cough my stomach hurts what does that mean? The neurologist has scheduled me for an emergency consult If results are shared by phone, email, or online, how does the office ensure they will only be shared with me or my designees? She doesn't think the flank pain is my kidney because you barely touch it or lean back on it & it hurts. Well, ok the phone I understand. We want you to understand the seriousness of your test nature, whether you went only for a Malaria test or youve some serious problem. I have a cyst in my head, and get MRIs or CT scans frequently to check on it. Trisha Torrey is a patient empowerment and advocacy consultant. Similar to BMP, CBC results also come in a day. The ill patients are vulnerable to stress and mental distress because of the disease and they cant digest the bad news at a time. Second, mistakes happen. 5.2k views Answered >2 years ago Thank The thing is that they can't give results over the phone because it is poor practice to give people bad news by telephone. BellyBelly Life Subscriber. I would try not to worry about it to much and just get in whenever you can. Does your staff contact patients regardless of results? She suffers from anxiety so not helpful, and needless to say stress levels have hit a high. Some families dont want to let the patient know about the severity of his disease, and they ask me to hide but I ask them if your loved one doesnt have the right to know whats going on with him? I usually go with patients desire and need of the hour, I try to not to make my patients worry and cause tension. I'm in the same situation I've had tests for a mass found in uterus and I had MRI scan 14th October, secretary rang me today to say the doctor will ring me on the 23rd of November. I think most doctors are like Better to sit down with him and discuss it all in detail and ask questions etc. Youve been feeling low for quite a long time. They will most likely give you a copy of the report a well as a computer generated disk of the actual images. But if the results are worrying, then immediately you can be needed for further tests, doctors should tell you all together. She wants a bone scan because she said I could have a stress fracture & that wouldn't show up on the x-ray. Im obviously thinking the worse and to prepare myself. Just because a result is normal doesn't mean that the visit is unwarranted. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Same with pathology and bloods. I know my doctor will not discuss much over the phone, especially if there is stuff to look at or read. Healthcare providers sometimes ask you to make an appointment to get the results of routine medical tests. Doctors will tell you to fast for 12 hours before going for this test, test results come within one day. Every time I get results back I ALWAYS ask the consultant if I can give out the results if the patient rings. But they wouldn't give me the results over the phone, I have to see the doctor. In addition to needing to speak to you in person about the results and if and how they may affect you, giving tests results by phone is not HIPAA c Ask simple questions about the law in Australia to get pointed in the right direction for real advice. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. They got a scan done and the doctor gave them the results over email. Theres a number of reasons why, as a doctor, I prefer not to give test results over the phone. Verification & Confidentiality Who exactly is calli I would ask him to give me a call. and a wide variety of abnormalities, too numerous to list. Please understand that these things arent done because were being arseholes. However, if you feel okay receiving test results over the phone, then doctors co-operate with patients and let them know the good news. Are doctors receptionists supposed to tell you your MRI results over the phone? HIPAA not only allows your healthcare provider to give a copy of your medical records directly to you, it requires it. They finally started being willing to give me the results over the phone. I keep everything crossed for you that everything turns out to befine! The laboratory you went for blood test will send the test results to the Doctors office. I would be happy to receive news and updates from Cancer Chat, NICE suspected cancer referral guidelines, Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People. If somebody had kidney cancer can doctors tell what stage it's in by doing an MRI or cat scan on the patient? | A detailed answer 2020, why does my throat feel like its closing up? JavaScript is disabled. She was a 39 old woman with a family history of gettingOvary and Breast cancer. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. I don't know if it is certain things they upload or certain places that add it. Every patient has a different psychological state; some people worry all day if test results are not told over the phone and made them wait. ), she didn't say, "Bring a driver", which is a good thing! Apr 25, 2011 #9. If they can't help, then I would try making a FOI request to the hospital for your records. Trisha Torrey is a patient empowerment and advocacy consultant. Having said that, 6 months later she handed me a CD with my scans on it that I can view on my laptop. Thats why you must see the doctor for these results. Sometimes it can be discussed over the phone but if he wants to talk about options with you then it is better to be in his office so you can get more details. If the office says they can't deliver results by phone because it violates HIPAA privacy laws, they're wrong. Do all test results require a follow-up appointment? Be a rational patient, consult your Doctor over the phone, and hell let you know if the meeting is needed or not. If it's a judgment call and the doctor decides that in a particular case, the results should be given in person, that's one thing. Tests like Biopsy should be told in person to the patient. Maybe check with your GP if they have a copy of the results? Don't wait. As laws can vary by state, please edit your submission to include a location. An appointment gives you an opportunity to talk about: It can also help avoid confusion over what the results mean. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Try not to panic. Sad but true. I had an oncologist call me and tell me to bring my father to the emergency room (or call an ambulance) immediately once, so I would assume if it's anything dire they would have said "come in today" at a MINIMUM. Read over sons old MRI results. I don't think it means anything in itself but you did well to chase up your results. If you're taking medications for chronic conditions, regular in-person appointments can help you stick to the treatment regimen. Part of the reason continued poor service in any organisation is that not enough people complain. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Chronic conditions that are well managed shouldn't require many appointments, either. Just a thought. The CT scan should prove to my parents that I don't have cancer, and then they will feel better. Family Practice. From what I understand the MRI will show soft tissues & swelling & muscle issues. Love a friend xxx. Normal results. All I understood was that it was recommended I got a USS guided biopsy as the lesions were suspicious. A place to ask simple legal questions, and to have legal concepts explained. Seeing her state of anxiousness, the Doctor shared the results as they were negative. Do you want me to have your medical information? In some cases, they want you to get tested a week or two before an appointment. If a healthcare provider asks you to schedule an appointment to go over test results and it doesn't seem necessary, ask why. 2.3M subscribers in the legaladvice community. These were some of the tests for your info, although there are many blood tests which can take more than a day for a result to come. Even with certain types of cancer, including colorectal and prostate cancer, there's little evidence quarterly visits reduce your relapse risk or improve survival rates. To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account. I have been told by more than one nurse and doctor when I have complained about it, that it is because they can't charge for it. If a doctor were to give you a report without having gone through it with you first and the report found something extremely serious, then your doctor could be facing a serious medical negligence lawsuit. This type of blood test lets doctors know about the patients blood glucose level, metabolism rate, kidney health, and the levels of elements in the blood, including acids, bases, and electrolytes. Do not copy or redistribute in any form! That's because your health is at risk in some way. I might be wrong and jumping to conclusion, so dont make your patient worry until youre sure about the results. Everything else happened really quickly,internal ultrasound and hystercopy because I was on the emergency pathway feel like it should be good news but can't help but feel anxious, everything was fine they confirmed mine was benign and for another follow up in six months everyone I know with cancer had face to face appointment try not to worry you will be fine xx, Thank you for your quick reply! I really thought I would have this all figured out today, but no luck. It depends on your age, health, and the type and stage of your cancer. Keep an open mind and remember they're meant to be a partner in your care. Twenty percent of them agreed thatcases of doctors withholding information from patientsshould not be made a prevalent issue. It's best to just go talk to him. Its the shit I cop at work everyday as a receptionist. American Associated of Retired Persons: AARP. I guess they wanted it done right away. The bone scan will be done next week. Join the conversation! I think the results go to the referring doctor who then talks to you about the results. Had MRI of entire back;part of work up for cause of iritis. She gave me a new script for Norco (7.5/325) since I am taking so much of the vicodin (5/500) & all that tylenol with it is bad for your liver. How to stop breastfeeding a 1 year old? My Mum went But even if follow-up is needed, that can be $. Copay Doctor. Went to one for a couple years. Ordered all kinds of blood work. And with every test was an office visit. Hes now working for an Doctors should manage free time and privacy to thoroughly convey the message to the patient. Patients that genuinely can not comprehend why I (a receptionist with no clinical I went for an MRI almost 2 weeks ago. Mri of brain : Routine imaging of the brain with MS protocol was carried out. Second, mistakes happen. 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