Why do doctors make you wait for results that are obviously worrisome?

Doctors have been doing this so long that they forget that things that are obvious to them are not obvious to their patients. And scheduling an appointment in 2 weeks because that’s the next time everybody’s schedules mesh is just how business is done.
The doctor has done many stress tests, and very few of them have been really bad news, so that’s the context he’s operating in. But he forgets that this is your friend’s first stress test, and the fact that someone told him he needs a stress test means maybe something is wrong with his heart. That’s all he can focus on.

1. If the results were really abnormal or immediately worrying, the doctor would call the patient.

2. Despite the fact that each individual cares only about their own health, the doctor is dealing with a whole patient load and must abide by his normal schedule.

It could also be that his results aren’t normal but neither are they life-threatening. But for him to say that over the phone risks him not returning to the office, and then any other testing or guidance required would be missed.

One reason is simply because they have a lot other patients.

The cynic in me believes that a physician wants a patient to return for a follow-up visit, thus adding more fees for him/her to collect.

If there’s a valid reason to go back – an incision that needs to be reviewed for infection; sutures that have to be removed – the extra visit is legitimate. But, when a doctor makes someone return, simply to relay information that could have been provided by telephone, I become very suspicious about whose best interests are being served.

@drhat77 If something needs to be discussed an appointment can be scheduled. Some states allow the release of labs directly to the patient. Do you think that should be against the law? If blood tests, cultures and similar typelabs are released directly, the doctor does not have to worry about him or the staff taking the time to call or message the patient. I don’t mean the doctor should not review all test results (I am not sure they even do? Do they leave some of it up to their nurse to review results and flag the ones that are abnornal?).

@SadieMartinPaul I agree with you. But, even when the doc is not requiring a return visit I am annoyed it takes so long for them to get the results to me. It shouldn’t take days or weeks.

I review all my results myself (but a nurse will frequently tell me if something is way off before I have time to see it). I think patients always should have access to their results. I remember once photocopying a chart to give it to the patient and the nurses going “is that allowed?” It was like the doctors chart episode of Seinfeld. But stress test stuff can be kind of confusing. “Reversible deficit” sounds pretty good but in fact it is bad. Whereas “Irreversible deficit” sounds bad but it most likely means a breast got in the way of the exam. It could also mean he had a heart attack in the past. So unless the test says “normal” I think an office visit is important for the first one. But if it’s a repeat one and nothing has changed than a phone call or viewing results online is ok.
Part of the push for ‘meaningful use” with electronic charts is making results available online.

@drhat77 I agree the average person cannot interpret some things, especially if it is a new group of tests the patient has never done before. I can certainly interpret tests I have done every 3 months for the last 10 years. I can’t even rely on the doctor for a medication change when I need one because their chart is often wrong for my dosage, I have to tell them. It’s ridiculous.

I mentioned this in another thread. Start asking / insisting that your doctor’s office and records be web enabled. You can get your results as soon as the doc does by going to the website. My doctor’s office uses eclinicalweb.com . I get the results immediately.
This is the way of the future so you might as well start looking for a physician who recognizes it now.

I never have to worry abut PSA anxiety. the blood is drawn and the next day I get an email with a link to the full report. I know the result, who ran the test, and the equipment used.

@LuckyGuy I love it that you care about the equipment used. My mishpocheh is such an engineer!

Mishpocheh? You two are related?

@LuckyGuy From what I understand FL law does not allow doctors to directly release labs.

In TN my doctor had the blood results on her website, bit she had to release them so I could see them.

I consider that a data point.
If the doc is not cutting edge on the “interwebs” where else is he lagging behind?

I also get my result in the mal from the lab.

@LuckyGuy Are you kidding? So many doctors are bitching about being forced to be more technologically advanced. However, I agree that I see a trend that the doctors who have the best technology set ups are the ones least likely to seem like they are just out for money and want power over the whole patient doctor relationship. I make exceptions for much older doctors where the tech might be competely outside of their comfort zone.

@jleslie – for what it’s worth, my gyn puts all labs online. So there has to be some way to do it. They may just link to the lab’s website.

@Seek_Kolinahr Well, since it is illegal in FL to release labs to patients before a doctors review, FL will likely be behind in the matter. Unless my understanding of the law is wrong. GYN isn’t the specialty I personally am concerned about. Endocrinology is.

The wait also gives the doctor time to have someone else check the stress tests and make sure they concurr with the diagnosis if he has any questions about it.

That is one reason when I love Kaiser so much. I receive the results of my tests within days of having the blood drawn, or sometimes even within hours, on the computer. If there is anything that needs looked at, the report says check with your doctor.

I love the online process mentioned. We get ours very fast because my daughter has worked with and knows so many doctors.

@JLeslie. As the patient you are the customer. The doctor is the service provider.
It is pretty clear that most, if not all, customers favor the ability to get their results sooner by accessing them online.
It is up to you to start demanding that kind of service by mentioning to your doctor or you can start looking for one who uses that system. It won’t happen unless customers start asking for it.

My daughter once went to see her Gyno just before Christmas. They told her she “probably has uterine cancer,” then the doctor left for a week for Christmas break. They couldn’t run any tests until he got back. Once he got back it was only a couple of days.

She was in terror for that entire week.

She was cleared of uterine cancer in the end.

I hope she changed doctors, @Dutchess. That’s inexcusable!

@LuckyGuy This most recent appointmentwith a new doctor I asked before I made the appointment and the staff implied I would not have to come back. In the first appointment he said I would have to come back to get my results, and I told him I don’t mind doing it this one time since heis getting to know me, but I don’t want to do it every time. I am tested too often, it’s stupid. He argued a little and then agreed. So, I return in a week, get the best most nornal results of my time, total waste of my fucking time. And, then he charged for the most expensive appointment, which I assume is how he is trying to make up for the next time when I won’t come back in. Insurance fraud and thievery.

So, I will do another very very expensive first appointment with another doctor, and hope for the best. See how that works?

Welcome to health care in America. You need to join a concierge practice, which costs $1,500 – $2,000 per year. For that fee, all you get is access to a physician. You still need to pay your insurance premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. But, with concierge series, the doctor will call you and/or see you promptly.