*UPDATE* Would you find a new Uro?

Back in December 2013, I had my first post op PSA test. I got a voicemail stating I was 0.06 "which is normal". I neglected to return the message.

Last Friday, I called to make an appointment for my 2nd post op PSA and then was transferred to leave a voicemail with the head nurse about what 0.06 actually meant and if the testing lab could test below 0.06? Greeting said all calls returned by end of day but I told her not to worry if she didn't as she could just tell me Monday when I came in for blood draw.

She never spoke to me during my appointment although I did see her in passing.

Today, she returned the message and said she didn't know how sensitive the equipment was used to test me but said it shows a range of what is considered high and I was in the normal range which was "less than 0.06".

So, I don't have any idea what the capability of the equipment is. I guess I'll wait a couple of days for the call about whether I'm less than 0.06 again. If I'm less than 0.06, again, I would assume the equipment only tests down to 0.06.

Would you change uros to find an office that would do more to find the information you want/need?

Post Edited (Inchoation) : 3/27/2014 2:45:22 PM (GMT-6)

F8 said...
Would you change uros to find an office that would do more to find the information you want/need?

if I were constantly getting half-assed answers I probably would.

ed

Thanks, ed... Curious to see if she can provide a follow up as she'll have to deal with the lab to get my new results here in a few days. If she comes through and tells me she got me an answer, I'll be satisfied. If she call s and just leaves me results and doesn't address my concern in the message, I think I'll look for a new doc and hopefully one that uses the same lab. I guess I could just do the legwork and call around and find out the info for myself.

I'm not clear as to why you didn't ask the nurse when you saw her. Better yet, if you have questions, talk (or email) your doctor rather than his nurse. Request emails, faxes or paper copies of all results.

At any rate, "less than .06" is the good news you wanted. That means it is less than that labs measurement reporting = undetectable by that lab.

- Allen

Voicemail?? That purely sucks! I get mine via mycare followed by a personal letter from the doctor with the results and what they mean; that's the way it should be.
Bill

Since 2002, when I was 50, getting my first PSA done, I have always gotten results by phone. Never been a problem, if I don't answer, they leave a message. Don't see what the issue is here? Anytime I want or need a copy, I call my nurse, and she immediately mails me the official copy.

Doesn't sound like it's worth changing doctors over. Just communicate what you want a little bit better next time.

From a busy's doctor's office, pretty sure a routine PSA test is not the big deal that it might be to some patients, thus the lack of excitement or drama on their end. I always try to look at both sides of the equation.

Don't think you did anything wrong, not saying that, sounds more like communications on both sides could be better.

They work for you, not the other way around.

David

That's why I said, I don't think you, did anything wrong.

I don't find ultra short doctor visits acceptable. My current medical team knows that, working with me long term. And they plan my appointments accordingly. They know I usually always come with printed questions, and from my vantage point, the appointment isn't over until all my questions are answered.

Sounds arrogant, but not the intention. I see my oncologist every 3 months. My visits with him average one full hour. I have had 30 minute quick visits (rare), and as long as 1 1/2 hours. As complicated as my situation is, I feel its' warranted. Plus since he's my acting Pain Manager, there is always a lot to talk about.

With my uro, 30 minutes would be a short visit, 45 minutes more average. With my new VA doctor, kind of hard to say, as I haven't seen him all that much yet, but pretty sure they will be 30 minutes or more.

The 2nd time I saw the spine doctor, recently (and he's not a regular doctor of mine), he didn't even give me 5 minutes of this time, and every time I tried to ask him even a simple questions, he cut me off cold. That alone would keep me from having him as a regular doctor. Had to force his nurse, to retrieve my medical file, and I made her go over all my questions and concerns.

As you know, you have to be your own best advocate. No one else will speak up for you, but yourself. I don't act huffy or mad, just persistent in my approach.

The whole doctor-patient, patient-doctor, relationship is a give and pull thing. While I respect my doctors - their experience, skill, and even time, I expect to be respected equally as their patient. I won't have it any other way.

In return, I am very compliant to what they want of me. If I didn't trust them, or didn't agree with a doctor's order, we will discuss my concerns, and they will either change an order, or I will agree to be compliant.

No point going to a doctor, and then not following their advice to the letter. Just my opinion.

Most men here haven't been to as many different kinds of doctors and been scanned, checked, yanked at, etc. as I have, so I speak from volumes of experience first hand. As of the end of 2011, I had seen my urologist over 50 times, don't even keep track anymore. Seen my oncologist over 15 times so far.

It takes a good doctor, that is willing to invest the time in his patient, in order to serve him best, something they can't do in those sub-5 minute quickie visits. When I saw my uro recently, hadn't seen him in 1 1/2 years, was pleased that he was still well versed in all my complicated issues. He still remembered all the little details from my past visits.

Good luck, just keep holding your ground. Only you will know if you need a new doctor or not. If you do change, you have to start all over again at square one, so make sure the change is worth it.

David

When I left my blood draw appointment on Monday I was told they would have results in 2-3 days I was informed at that time to call them if they didn't call me. I thought it was odd that I would have to call them, but that's what I ended up doing today. I called them early afternoon and was sent to voicemail.

On the call back I was informed that my uro doesn't do nurse assists (which is what I guess I had on Monday) without his knowledge. Not my issue. I asked for my results and was told I was scheduled for April to see him and go over them. Huh? I asked before I left what else I needed to do? I was told I was done and that was it.
Now, I'm being told that I have to see the uro before I can have my results and they don't give results over the phone. I have a voicemail from December from them giving me PSA results so that is not the case that they don't give PSA results over the phone. Ultimately, I told her that I would just come in and request my medical records if she wouldn't give me my results. I informed her that I was off insurance at the end of the month due to leaving my career a few weeks ago and wouldn't be coming to any appointment in April to get my results. At that point, she told me she would give the uro the note about my insurance and would not be able to call me back until he signed off on my results. She did, however, tell me that he said to tell me he'd see me in 4 months???? Huh? So, I had an appointment for early April I have no knowledge of but he'll see me in 4 months?

Overall, I'm done with that office and will seek a new uro. I told her how important these results were to me. To leave me hanging as they have is abominable. They had the results but didn't call me, I had to call them and when I did they told me they couldn't give me the results. Brutal. Now, I'm sitting here waiting for a doctor to sign off on my results before she can even tell me them but is able to tell me he'll see me in 4 months? I have to assume, which is dangerous, the results are "normal" but I want to know specifically what they are but I can't get them. I will just drive on in tomorrow and put it in writing that I want my medical records if I can't be given the courtesy of knowing what my PSA test says without being made to wait for things I shouldn't have to wait for.

Wow, that's a rant. Sorry, but I HATE the medical field. Yes, I know, they operated on me and may have saved my life but I just can't stand the way it conducts business and I guess that's the problem. I'm looked at as business and not a thinking feeling human being.

Post Edited (Inchoation) : 3/27/2014 3:00:20 PM (GMT-6)

In your most recent and well earned rant, no questions about it, you need to find a new doctor. You have done above and beyond what is expected of any patient. It will be their loss, not yours.

Good luck in finding a more caring doctor in the future, what you went through is totally unacceptable.

David

They legally have to give you a printed copy upon your request. That's a fact. Whether they see you as a patient or not. The test result belongs to you, whether it be printed, phoned, or talked about in person. As are your medical records with this doctor. I would insist on picking up a printed copy in person. Wouldn't trust them to mail it to you at this point after what you have been through.

David

Now, I'm actually starting to think this test was bad news as they didn't want to deliver bad news over the phone. The last one was "good news" and they freely gave it over the phone.

that's your head working on you. won't the lab give you your results? mine will but I always wait until I see the dr.

ed

You definitely need to get a new medical team period. What you have described is outrageous. don't let your mind work overtime on this tho. If it was me, and do not do this, I would go to doctors office and make one terrific scene, I mean big time. I would have the paperwork in hand or be led out in cuffs, possibly a straight jacket. Mark it. I almost want to fly to where you are and do just that. Try not let it torque you up. Go to your place of peace and turn it into an exercise of will. You really, really need to get way from that place, mentally and physically. your instincts were right and you have answered the question yourself re. title of thread. I applaud your moxie.

Yes! Get a new Uro - and do the world a favor by telling us the name of the one you are using now.

When I have my blood drawn I go to the same lab every time and have the results sent to my GP as well as my Uro. My GP's office is web-enabled so I get the results online when he gets them. The lab used to mail them to me but this saves a tree and 46 cents.

Think about it this for a minute. What would they have to do to make you go elsewhere? Not give you your results in a timely manner? Not tell you the equipment capability? Not give you the written report? Not call you when they said they would? Kick you in the nuts? Where do you draw the line?

You are far more tolerant than I. Go there and demand your records. Pay for the copies if you must. Don't let them treat you like a piece of meat.

Find someone else - and tell others about your experience so they do not make the same mistake.

Jeff

I'm going to ruffle feathers and say I think you are over-reacting to people who have too much to do and too little time to stop to be overly polite.

My uro spends perhaps 15 minutes with me at a 3-month visit. That's the amount of time I get for the length of visit my insurance allows (unless I have a new, identifiable issue).
He spends as much time as he can with patients, and is often calling me with results at 21:00 and later as he mops up the day's notes.

Your doc and his office could easily have no clue at all what equipment the lab uses (my lab is defined by the insurance company, not the doc, and the defined one is not the one he would normally use for some tests). You have to ask for a printed copy, but they will not likely give that to you until the doctor has initialed it. The reason is that the doctor's office requested the test, not you. If you go to a lab and request the test, you get the direct results. The printed copy may be of no help, but with that you can call the lab and ask. The answer may not make you happy. In my case, they told me the limits of the machine, but then you have to consider the parameters of the test and materials being used on the machine. My lab uses a machine that COULD go down to 0.03, but the test ordered only reports to <0.1 regardless of the lower limit.

Be very happy with <0.06. That is a GREAT result, and should have you in such a good mood that all the other stuff is easy.

But do ask for printed copies of lab reports. There is every expectation that you can have them once the doc sees them.

And by the way, you can't call out your current uro by name here to criticize him or the office - we allow neutral comments and good reviews, but once the comments go bad, there can be legal issues that we don't want to bring to HW.