topic Upsetting Call from GYN in Wellness

Upsetting Call from GYN

hookedonq — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 13:36:28 GMT

My OB GYN office left a message on my voice mail at 3:50pm on Friday to call back to discuss my Pap results...and the office closed at 4pm! Of course, I got the message at 4pm and now have to worry all weekend. Am I being too severe to say that I think this is a less than thoughtful approach and they should have waited until Monday? I am trying to keep calm but have to admit it is upsetting.

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

kaydee50 — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 13:44:21 GMT

I know it's easier said than done, but I would try not to be too concerned. My doctor called me to tell me everything was normal. IMO if something was not quite right, the office would have called earlier. Try to have a good weekend!!

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

Nbo — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 13:49:17 GMT

@hookedonq I would be upset too. Now you will be at home all weekend thinking about it. I am sorry about that.I know it's hard but try to think positive. I have had a bad result and they redo the test and everything is fine.

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

Susic — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 13:51:02 GMT

No, same thing happened to me about mammo report. Message was left on cell phone , found it at 4:30 on way home from work on Friday. No answer at office, so I pushed the button for incoming MD calls.got someone , so knew part of story. I now tell them not to call cell phone. I was so upset. Turned out to be false positive, but I still worried all weekend. If they can't say it is not a big deal, and won't be there after hours, I think they should wait til Monday. Hope you have good luck with your results ASAP! Susi.

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

willomenia — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 13:55:10 GMT

they really never should have left any message saying anything about your test because of hipaa laws. if they didn't give results, it could be because of this law. I believe good or bad, they can't disclose anything. so i wouldn't jump to conclusions.

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

bonnie f — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 13:59:53 GMT

yes knowing they close i think they should of waited... good luck...

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

phoenixbrd — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 14:00:05 GMT

Yes, that is thoughtless. I would give feedback to the doctor that it is insensitive to call and leave that message on a Friday. Given that it has happened, more than likely it is nothing to be concerned about. I can understand how you feel, maybe keeping active and spending time with others will lessen your concern. Keep us up to date.

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

VaBelle35 — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 14:00:21 GMT

@hookedonq wrote:
My OB GYN office left a message on my voice mail at 3:50pm on Friday to call back to discuss my Pap results...and the office closed at 4pm! Of course, I got the message at 4pm and now have to worry all weekend. Am I being too severe to say that I think this is a less than thoughtful approach and they should have waited until Monday? I am trying to keep calm but have to admit it is upsetting.

My gyn did this to me once too, also on a holiday weekend when they weren't open on Monday.

They got a serious piece of my mind when I got them on the phone and her response was....wait for it..

"It just your doctor's office, I don't understand why you're so upset."

And people wonder why doctor's offices get such horrible reviews on line.

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

Nonametoday — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 14:00:36 GMT

@willomenia wrote:
they really never should have left any message saying anything about your test because of hipaa laws. if they didn't give results, it could be because of this law. I believe good or bad, they can't disclose anything. so i wouldn't jump to conclusions.

@willomenia You can opt out about leaving messages (HIPPA) if you do not want them. You sign to either get them or not get them when you engage with a doctor or hospital. OP must have opted to receive messages on phone. Otherwise, they would not have called and left the message, or they are creating a liabelous situation

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

VaBelle35 — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 14:01:34 GMT

@willomenia wrote:
they really never should have left any message saying anything about your test because of hipaa laws. if they didn't give results, it could be because of this law. I believe good or bad, they can't disclose anything. so i wouldn't jump to conclusions.

I sign a release that says they can leave the information in voicemail. I also sign they can release to my sister.

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

deeva — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 14:24:35 GMT

I also signed the hipaa release so that a message can be left on voicemail or to my husband.
I'd rather know the results when they call instead of thinking about it all weekend.

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

chrystaltree — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 14:35:14 GMT

What are you upset about? They are probably calling to tell you that the results were negative. It's a good sign that they called late in the day. They didn't leave a message because under privacy regulations, they cannot leave personal health information on voicemail. In my job, when I call physicians and hospitals regarding patients, I can't leave a vm message, I cannot even say what patient I am calling about. I can only request a call back. Relax. Stop upsetting yourself for no reason. Also, when they find something on pap smears, it's generally not the cancer you are so afraid of. There are other conditions that give positive reading.

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

CAcableGirl2 — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 14:46:15 GMT

@hookedonq I totally agree - it really is upsetting since I got one of those calls telling me I needed to come in for more tests at 4:30 on a Friday. Of course, I call back nervous and they are closed for the weekend.

Try not to worry, I had that happen 6 months ago, and now I'm having to go in for more tests after my last test last week, and have to wait 2 weeks before I can get in.

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

Tricolor — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 14:52:49 GMT

I worked in healthcare for many years before retiring and one of my jobs was to discuss test results with a patient. I would never have called a patient that late on a Friday knowing that the office would be closing. Try not to think the worst. That's easier said than done. Hopefully it's nothing to be concerned about.

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

Tricolor — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 14:53:53 GMT

@willomenia wrote:
they really never should have left any message saying anything about your test because of hipaa laws. if they didn't give results, it could be because of this law. I believe good or bad, they can't disclose anything. so i wouldn't jump to conclusions.

As long as the patient signed something saying it is ok to leave a message on voicemail, it's perfectly legal to leave a message.

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

Grouchomarx — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 15:04:37 GMT

I'm sorry this happened to you, doctors can be so awful sometimes. They should have waited if they could not give you the info. The way my brain works I'd be worried all weekend too. I hope you get your results are just fine.

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

Irish1210 — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 15:05:53 GMT

@hookedonq

First though ~ try not to worry ~ I have had this happen and it turned out to be nothing terrible ................ I had been on some antibiotics and that, evidently, had altered my results. After three weeks they wanted to have me come back for another PAP.

Second thought ~ I would discuss the office policy and express my displeasure with the manner in which I was notified, specifically the late time on a Friday.

If I didn't feel my concerns were received with respect....I would consider changing offices. Regardless of the physician's speciality, the staff and Dr. should consider the "whole" patient and creating anxiety is not OK!!

Stay calm and breathe

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

SXMGirl — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 15:40:25 GMT

I know exactly how you feel, and you have every right to be upset. Even though you signed to receive info by phone, common sense should tell any doctor's office that receiving a message that could be upsetting could wait until Monday. I would express your concern to your doctor, who should have a talk with the staff. If the doctor is not available to speak with you on a late Friday afternoon, then whatever the diagnosis is can wait until Monday morning.

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

alicedee — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 15:52:31 GMT

Does your health care provider participate in an online app? Mine is called My Chart. Whenever I have a test done, I get an email and go to the app, where I can see the results posted..usually within a day or two of the test.

I'm sorry you have to wait and worry....,chances are you are ok, but I would be worried, too. Try to keep really busy, and when you start to think about it get up and do something to distract yourself.

Sending you a cyber hug and a prayer for good results. 🌷

Re: Upsetting Call from GYN

Trix — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 16:05:56 GMT

@hookedonq It's unfortunate the call was made at an hour which requires you to now wait until Monday for follow up. To say nothing to worry about is not correct. In my extensive personal history of dealing with doctors due to multiple chronic conditions a call is usually made to when there is something that requires additional medical attention. This could be more test or just a conversation with the doctor. As mentioned by @alicedee if your doctor maintains electronic records you can sign into your chart and see the test result youself. I believe most providers, testing facilities and hospitals are doing this now. I do hope the results of your test prove to be nothing of major concern for you. In the meantime it may be a good weekend to enjoy a few silly comedy movies.