Guest guest Posted February 17, 2003 Report Share Posted February 17, 2003 Labs seem to be an ongoing saga. Before I ws associated with adoc who is part of an HMO, the labs wee always reviewed at th next visti, and a call fom the doc OR the nurse if anything was unusual. I have asked for a copy for years, and always got one. THAT doc retired. The new one is with an HMO...the CMA...a medical assistant, NOT a nurse calls withthe results...'normal' or some figure. When I realized she doesn't know the signifigance of what she is saying, I have asked for a call from the doc, and a copy of the labs and have interjecteedd my oinion for treatment options. She always says 'I'll hve to talk to the docter about that.', and then she calls with a new scrip of advice...what I wsaid ion the first pl;ace, and a signed lab copy withthe order follows. I thank the short circuiting of the doc is an HMO scheme to save time, which translates as $$$. She also likes to save time by having the labs done before the doc encounter itself. I asked her what labs were going to be done...she stated a CBC, UA, and Potassium. I asked why the Potassium? She said it was standard. I told hr, no, and I am not rtaking a diuretic, so why was it being done? Did the doc order it? If so , why? well, she backed off and said she would let him decide..AHA! there was the key. It is not up to the CMA to order labs!! At the GYN, I had an FSG drawn a year ago to determine my menopauwsal status. the nurse called...'Mrs Grantwit, you are not in menopause'...well, I was 57 then, and told her I thought 'differently.' ' No, your FSH indicates you are not. Keep taking the prometrium.' WEll, this year I told the doc about it, and said I would like a call from him, as the nurse is NOT prepared to discuss this, as well as estrogen is stored in fat, and withthe weight loss, there will be more circulating, as well as Evista has some estrogen in it. He called me himself, told me the result was the same as ayear ago, agreed with me that I am postmenopausal, based on appearances of tissue, no bleeding when NOT on prometrium for 6 weeks, and to stop taking it, and call if anything happens. THAT should have happended a year ago. I talked these care issues over with a retired physsician who is a family member...he told me it IS the time spent with patients issue. There are only so many minutes allowed per patient...and to go over is not a good thing to do in light of how practice is today. However, he also said to 'not speak up leaves you feeling like a wimp, and your doc does not know what you really think or what is really going on with you. To speak up sets a tone of alertness in the doc's part that you are paying attentin and expect answers...and yu desreve them. After all, the doc works for you and aat your pleassure.' I like that last part! lol SO! ASk and yu will receive. Be polite, and expect results. Corrine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2003 Report Share Posted February 17, 2003 Labs seem to be an ongoing saga. Before I ws associated with adoc who is part of an HMO, the labs wee always reviewed at th next visti, and a call fom the doc OR the nurse if anything was unusual. I have asked for a copy for years, and always got one. THAT doc retired. The new one is with an HMO...the CMA...a medical assistant, NOT a nurse calls withthe results...'normal' or some figure. When I realized she doesn't know the signifigance of what she is saying, I have asked for a call from the doc, and a copy of the labs and have interjecteedd my oinion for treatment options. She always says 'I'll hve to talk to the docter about that.', and then she calls with a new scrip of advice...what I wsaid ion the first pl;ace, and a signed lab copy withthe order follows. I thank the short circuiting of the doc is an HMO scheme to save time, which translates as $$$. She also likes to save time by having the labs done before the doc encounter itself. I asked her what labs were going to be done...she stated a CBC, UA, and Potassium. I asked why the Potassium? She said it was standard. I told hr, no, and I am not rtaking a diuretic, so why was it being done? Did the doc order it? If so , why? well, she backed off and said she would let him decide..AHA! there was the key. It is not up to the CMA to order labs!! At the GYN, I had an FSG drawn a year ago to determine my menopauwsal status. the nurse called...'Mrs Grantwit, you are not in menopause'...well, I was 57 then, and told her I thought 'differently.' ' No, your FSH indicates you are not. Keep taking the prometrium.' WEll, this year I told the doc about it, and said I would like a call from him, as the nurse is NOT prepared to discuss this, as well as estrogen is stored in fat, and withthe weight loss, there will be more circulating, as well as Evista has some estrogen in it. He called me himself, told me the result was the same as ayear ago, agreed with me that I am postmenopausal, based on appearances of tissue, no bleeding when NOT on prometrium for 6 weeks, and to stop taking it, and call if anything happens. THAT should have happended a year ago. I talked these care issues over with a retired physsician who is a family member...he told me it IS the time spent with patients issue. There are only so many minutes allowed per patient...and to go over is not a good thing to do in light of how practice is today. However, he also said to 'not speak up leaves you feeling like a wimp, and your doc does not know what you really think or what is really going on with you. To speak up sets a tone of alertness in the doc's part that you are paying attentin and expect answers...and yu desreve them. After all, the doc works for you and aat your pleassure.' I like that last part! lol SO! ASk and yu will receive. Be polite, and expect results. Corrine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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