Am I expecting to much from my chriopractors office?

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

I had an MRI a week ago.....I called the office where it was performed to see if they sent the results to my doctor, she said yes the results were faxed the following day, and I replied that I had not heard from the doctor. So she suggested calling the doctor to see if they were received.

I called the doctor and the receptionist said 'yes' we got the results last week! I asked why she had not called and she said we don't give results over the phone, which is not what I was asking for.

I expected her to call me, let me know the results were in and that I could make an appointment to discuss the results.

Is this the way things like this are handled? Was I expecting to much thinking they should have called me? How in the world am I to know how long it would take for the test to be read and then sent to the ordering doctor?

Winkk · ‎03-15-2010

I don't think you are expecting too much. They should have called.

scotnovel · ‎12-31-2013

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
I had an MRI a week ago.....I called the office where it was performed to see if they sent the results to my doctor, she said yes the results were faxed the following day, and I replied that I had not heard from the doctor. So she suggested calling the doctor to see if they were received.

I called the doctor and the receptionist said 'yes' we got the results last week! I asked why she had not called and she said we don't give results over the phone, which is not what I was asking for.

I expected her to call me, let me know the results were in and that I could make an appointment to discuss the results.

Is this the way things like this are handled? Was I expecting to much thinking they should have called me? How in the world am I to know how long it would take for the test to be read and then sent to the ordering doctor?

Ask up front is how you should know.

Did you have an appt with the doctor prior to the MRI being ordered? If so, I would have asked then approximately how long it usually takes for them to get results after the procedure and should I make a followup appointment now or will the office call me for a followup.

I would also have asked the people who did the MRI how long it usually takes them to send a report to the doctor. Their timeframe isn't always accurate, but I've never failed to get a reasonable estimate that I could act on. With that info in mind, if I didn't already have a followup appt, I would call in the timeframe the folks doing a procedure indicated, ask if Dr had the results, and would then make an appt.

Patients need to be as proactive as possible & take the initiative rather than waiting for Drs. offices to call.

wildlifewitch · ‎02-08-2016

Chiropractors are busy, and they are always getting test results in. They might have different policies. I wouldn't worry aboutit. What I do is get the CD myself from the imaging center. It usually takes about a week. I always scan the written results onto my ipad to always have for future doctors. I would expect my chirporactor to have told me when to schedule the follow up, assuing that doctor ordered the test. Anyway, feel better soon.

itsmagic · ‎08-08-2011

My doctor does not call to let me know when results come back from a test either.

CatLoverDogsToo · ‎03-10-2010

Hello,

Most practices now are enrolled in something called a "Patient Portal" as are hospitals, labs and radiology centers. If either your chiropractor or the imaging center is enrolled in that, you can register and request they post the results on there. Then you can view them yourself and print out anything you need to. No office will allow the receptionist or nurse to give you the results until the doctor has reviewed it and initialed it. Hope you get your results soon and everything is ok.

“The price of light is less than the cost of darkness.”
– Arthur C. Nielsen

Gram W · ‎01-22-2013

They should have called. It takes 2 minutes to call and leave a message. On the other hand in the past few years it seems that you have to ask all the questions as info is often not offered. If you want tests results you have to call. My CPC office in some areas does not communicate well. I wait 2 working days and then I call. My specialists are in a large city 1.5 hrs away and both are excellent at communicating. Locally they want me to sign up and use their portal. I refuse to do this. My information is private and I will sign for individuals I want it shared with. Not everyone has a computer so I ask to have the same service.

Jordan2 · ‎03-16-2010

I agree the office should call you with results. I know the doctor is busy, I wouldn't mind if the receptionist or assistant called. I go to a ob/gyn who never calls me with test results of my pap smear. I guess I am to assume if anything was questionable she would call. I always wonder though what if my results were misplaced or lost? Also this office charges money for any copy of a test that you want, or if they have to go the extra mile for you. Yes, I could find another doctor but I have been going to her for a long time and I only see her once a year.

lulu2 · ‎03-09-2010

The day my doctor gave me my orders for 2 MRIs, I scheduled my follow-up appointment. When I had the MRI's I was given a disc to take to that appointment. My doctor received a report within days of my MRIs.

Many doctors will tell you to make a follow-up appointment, as soon as you schedule the MRI.

I am surprised you were not told to schedule a follow-up when you had your last appointment before the MRI.

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

@scotnovel....this office does not communicate very well....there were issues with this assistant when the MRI was ordered, she sat on the order for a week before sending the request to the insurance company, I know this because I waited so long I called the insurance company myself, they told me when the request came in.

No one at the doctors office gave me any instructions, I was just under the impression they would call me when the results were in, it takes a minute to call and leave a message to call their office. In my office (self employed) I call my customers when their work is done, I do not expect them to call me. It's called customer service.

I cannot imagine working in a doctors office and having patients calling all the time to see if their test results were in....next time I will know better but I do know once I get these results, I am not going back to this doctors office. There are several other things about this practice that I don't like...wait time to see the chriopractor and making appointments that they don't keep are just part of the problem.