I need some advice as to what to do next. I had a spinal MRI a few weeks ago and after a week of not hearing from my doctor as to the results, I called and left a message asking that someone contact me. The next day, I received an email saying that my test results were available on the patient portal. I logged on and read them and think I understand what it said but I still wanted to talk to the doctor about them. I called again the next day and left another message and yet another week went by without hearing from the doc. The third time I called, I actually got someone on the phone. All she would tell me is that the doc will only discuss the results with me in person and the next available appointment is not until August 21!!! Seriously??? If I read the report correctly, I do not need surgery. When I met the doc for the first time, he told me that the spinal MRI would tell us if I needed surgery or not and if not, I would just need to follow up with another MRI in 6 months. I am guessing that is the case and since I don’t need surgery he does not want to deal with me anymore. I made the appointment but it requires me to take the majority of the day off of work since there is always at least a 2-4 hour wait just to be seen for 15 minutes. If I don’t work I don’t get paid. I would rather not have to deal with all of that just to be told that I don’t need surgery and to follow up in 6 months. I don’t understand why I can’t be told that over the phone?
Has anyone had a similar experience? I am not sure what to do now, I did call my PCP asking if she may be able to interpret the results but have not heard back yet. Any suggestions as to what to do next would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Hey Rhlpgh,
Although this may not help I can assure you, you are not alone. Some medicos can be so very disconnected and I understand for them becoming emotional involved can be an issue BUT for us we have no choice. This IS personal.
Trying to interpret, then comprehend the technical and medical jargon used in medical reports can be an issue. We need the professionals to decipher these reports into common English.
I have had similar issues between radiologists, surgeons, pcp’s and conflicting information. I was having physical symptoms. Post surgery my pcp told me “They operated, they fixed…” but things weren’t fixed at all. When I eventually got an appointment with the surgeon he ripped into me for not coming and seeing him sooner as there was a major issue that needed further surgery to manage it all appropriately. But the reality is to see the surgeon I needed a referral from the pcp who said everything was OK.
Many of these so called professionals are merely covering themselves against being sued “Well, don’t blame me, it was him that was wrong, not me…” I have even been accused of trying to obtain information to take legal action when that has never been my aim. I was wanting answers not $$$$.
Asking your pcp to interpret results over the phone is not advisable. Often you’ll get a clearer answer by having a face to face appointment. By making a general appointment the pcp has no forewarning and you are more likely to get a direct answer when you have the appointment. If you are there in the examination room they can’t simply fob you off with a “Ohh you just want an explanation…”.
So I’d recommend you make a ‘normal’ appointment with your pcp, with no ‘over the phone’ explanation. Wait until you have that face to face, then ask for an explanation. They can’t avoid you nor your questions then.
Merl from the Moderator Support Team
You could get your MRI and take it to another neurosurgeon for review. I did so when getting a second opinion before having surgery. Since this surgeon doesn’t seem very responsive, you might try another. Good luck! This sounds really frustrating.
I am most likely going to get second opinion at a different practice. My PCP finally did call me back today but we got disconnected and now I can’t get through to anyone at the office! I am incredibly frustrated and angry which does not help with my symptoms.