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Slow responses -- is this a NYC thing or...?

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Posted 6/3/2016 10:11 AM (GMT -5)
I have a good friend who resides in Brooklyn, NY. He has continually complained about the lack of response from his doctor's office. Whether it is seeking test results or reporting an illness, they don't seem to call him back. It is like pulling teeth. One time he ended up in the ER and was dx. with pneumonia -- this after trying to get a response from his doctor for a few days.

Ok, his brother in law had a prostate biopsy almost 2 weeks ago (I assume from a local Brooklyn urologist). He has still not gotten any results.

My own experience here in mid-Michigan is quite the opposite. If I get blood tests, I can go into the medical records office, pay a dollar, and get the results as early as the next business day. I had my biopsy at Umich on 11/30/09 and got THE CALL 2 days later.

As a secondary question, I hope the no news means good news for my friend's brother in law. Is it true that they usually call right away when it's bad news, but not so quick with good news?

Mel
Posted 6/3/2016 12:06 PM (GMT -5)
When I call my Drs office, I get a call back the same day. Usually from the PA, unless I have a specific question specifically directed at the Dr, in which case, he usually calls me back after hours.

On my biopsies, the first one was negative, it took me two weeks to get results, because the Dr was traveling and the nurse was slow to respond. The second one was positive, I had the biopsy on a Wednesday and got the call from the Dr on Monday, but when I got a copy of the pathologists report I saw it was faxed to my Dr on Friday, two days after the procedure.
Posted 6/3/2016 12:36 PM (GMT -5)
The tech who draws the blood gives me a call either the afternoon of the test or the next business day.
Posted 6/3/2016 12:48 PM (GMT -5)
I believe it's a doctor/institution thing - not a NY, or other locality, thing --
Posted 6/3/2016 1:22 PM (GMT -5)
Bobby:

You are probably right.
My friend has had it with that crap and is actively looking for a new doctor

Mel
Posted 6/3/2016 1:25 PM (GMT -5)
My blood tests from University of Michigan Cancer Center are available in about one hour after the draw. Amazing.

At Vanderbilt, in TN, I usually had to wait a day or so. At my GP in my home town there, sometimes I had to wait over a weekend (even though they had the result Friday morning). The longer the wait, the worse it gets!
Posted 6/3/2016 3:54 PM (GMT -5)

Redwing57 said...
My blood tests from University of Michigan Cancer Center are available in about one hour after the draw. Amazing

Redwing, that is gold! So much unnecessary anxiety eliminated.
When I go to my urologist for follow up, in order to have the results when I see him(in case there is anything to discuss) I travel into Manhattan two days before, for the blood draw. So far, I've gotten a call each time the next morning, but I give it an extra day just in case.

It's weird how I'm not THAT nervous, just a little of what I would call "appropriate" level of anxiety, in the few days leading up to the blood draw. But the moment the needle goes into my arm, my anxiety level goes to a completely inappropriate of the charts level, till I get that call. turn

Post Edited (Pratoman) : 6/3/2016 2:57:46 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/3/2016 4:51 PM (GMT -5)
Mel,
At the VA my labs are done AFTER my meeting with a doc and I receive a summary about 2 weeks later. Never a phone call.
Civilian doc at Gunderson in LaCrosse has all the info he needs since my lab work was done 2 to 3 days PRIOR to our meeting. In addition, I have my blood draws, etc in the am and results on the internet (my care) in the pm. Both the dr and I are prepared for our meeting..I like it this way!!
Bill
Posted 6/3/2016 5:06 PM (GMT -5)
I have found that I can almost always get things done faster on the phone by ignoring the doctor and talking to the nurses. Most doctors are absurdly busy and the nurses can answer a lot of routine questions. For those questions that do require the doctor, the nurse can often grab the doctor in the hall for a quick question.
Posted 6/3/2016 8:05 PM (GMT -5)
I used to have to call my uro's office a few days after each test and then sit on hold or wait for a call back. And there were times I had push-back from staff telling me the doctor would tell me at my appointment and me telling them they could cancel the appointment if they didn't tell me now. But as of the last couple of years the results now turn up on the web portal. A much better arrangement for everyone.
Posted 6/3/2016 8:23 PM (GMT -5)
Hey Mel....I'm with Bobby. It's all about individual personalities you're dealing with. The culture of the workplace itself also plays a role (normally a reflection of the boss' personality).

Not unlike any other place/business. Anywhere ya go ya gotta find someone/people that take(s) a personal interest. (Which hopefully the boss is that way).
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