Re: Am I Expecting too Much From Docs?

September 12, 2008

Dear Barbara,The next time you see the Dr, while you have him in person, ask if you can email him with quick questions so that you don't have to take up his time with phone calls. We had one Dr. like this who didn't mind answering a quick email but that we couldnever get on the phone. You need to get it from him/her though as the office will not give it out and they shouldn't.LeeI need some input from the group. I need to know if your docs (Hep, Gastro) contact you or your caregiver with results of lab tests and/or MRCP's, CT's, etc.

September 12, 2008

Barbara,

Generally doctors don't call if test results are in " normal " range or as expected. Ask the doctor or their office for an appointment to discuss results and suggest as an alternative a 10 minute phone call or an email dialog.

Ian

I need some input from the group. I need to know if your docs (Hep, Gastro) contact you or your caregiver with results of lab tests and/or MRCP's, CT's, etc.

First, you need to know that I have internet access to get the results of the labs and imaging reports. However, we never get calls from the docs about the results of these tests and I don't think they even know I have access to the information. However, I only get the results and the ranges on the labs - I don't get to see the comments. I can see the final radiology reports on the MRCP's, MRI's, CT's and other imaging. I do call the Coordinator and, although she is very " testy " and bad tempered, she does give messages to the docs and she usually calls me within a couple of days with what the doc said. The only time we get any communication is if one test leads to another, then we get called saying they have set up the appt.

had labs and MRCP and CT scans a couple of weeks ago. Not much had changed but there were several items that I wanted to talk to the doc about. I told the Coordinator that I wanted to talk to the doc and she called me back 3 days later and said that he would talk to me but he is very busy and could call me some time next week and he wanted to know exactly what I wanted to know and she was supposed to try to answer my questions for me. I had already gone that route so I really need to talk to the doc.

So, my question is: Am I asking too much? These docs are very good and I trust them completely, however I get the feeling that their way of working is " no news is good news so don't bother me " and that doesn't really work for me. I can turn into a mama bear when I need to and I am having a difficult time finding balance.

I would appreciate any input or suggestions.

LOVE & LIGHT

Barbara (Wife of , PSC'07, HE, Chronic Pancr, Osteo, Diabetes, Listed) -- Ian Cribb P.Eng.

September 12, 2008

Barbara,

Every doctor has their own style. I would not be able to work with the

system that you are describing. I interview my doctors the first day

that we meet so that we both know what the expectations and limits of

the relationship will be. I schedule an appointmetn with my doctor for

one week after any tests are conducted to review the results and

determine what if any course of action is needed. That's how I do

things; however, I know that some insurance plans and physician offices

will not allow this to happen. Since I am the way that I am, and

discuss these expectations up front, I will not work with a doctor that

practices this way. I do believe that it would be worth scheduling an

appointmetn with the doctor to discuss your concerns. This is

something that the doctor may not be aware of as being a problem and if

not you will need to deside if you can tollerate his ways or if your

needs will be better served with another physican. You sound like you

like the doctor, so I would encourage you to discuss this with him

first.

Dawn

>

> So, my question is: Am I asking too much? These docs are very good

and I trust them completely, however I get the feeling that their way

of working is " no news is good news so don't bother me " and that

doesn't really work for me. I can turn into a mama bear when I need to

and I am having a difficult time finding balance.

>

> I would appreciate any input or suggestions.

>

> LOVE & LIGHT

> Barbara (Wife of , PSC'07, HE, Chronic Pancr, Osteo, Diabetes,

Listed)

>

September 12, 2008