I have had some situations where my health care has taken a very long time to begin or carry on.
I would like to see some rules and regulations that put a limit on the time taken to see a patient and begin treatment.
Okay, there's a bee in my toque. I was recently referred to a heart specialist to investigate a condition I have that may be circulation related. The initial communication happened in acceptable time. I wore a heart rate monitor and blood pressure cuff for about 20 hours. I was told I would get the results back in a week and at the most 2 weeks. Well, here it is 3 weeks and I've heard nothing. I'm not impressed with this specialist. I could get very old before he wakes up and sees me.
A family member was referred to specialist and waited 6 months for an appointment which was done by phone! Not Zoom. Just the old land line. 2 more calls were made and finally a test was done and biopsies taken. Now the guy is away all Feb and an appointment is made for March to go over a test from Jan 17.
So this is where I'm coming from. Once referrals are made it should be mandatory to meet and have examinations and tests in a short time and not wait for 6 months.
Now I know specialists and physicians have all kinds of challenges because of limitations from health facilities.
However, I think that there should be some kind of penalty for taking too long to see and treat a patient.
And I thought it was just the U.S. getting worse. I'm supposed to check in with a cardiologist. They are so overbooked, it will take 3 months to see him for the first visit. Yep, if I develop symptoms, go to their coordinating E.R. Hope you can get the lab results you're chasing. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how long I will wait for this appointment. Fortunately I don't have anything acute.
DeleteThat does seem like a long time to see a doctor and to get your results.
ReplyDeleteTake care, have a great day and happy new week!
That's what's happening here and in other places as well.
DeleteHealthcare is such a crap shoot these days. Such shortages of staff. Premiers who seem to think that bankrupting the system will give them permission to institute for-profit healthcare. It isn't going to solve the problem with short staffing. I don't know what consequences for delays will do anything for us.
ReplyDeleteI'm not too serious about my penalty Idea. There are other positive things that can be done. When some of these specialists go away for a month or 6 weeks I have some questions.
DeleteHope you get follow-up soon, Red.
ReplyDeleteI'm not an emergency so I'll be OK.
DeleteIt seems too easy to shunt people aside if it isn't a case that requires immediate intervention.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think in some cases they look at an old person and don't give the full treatment.
DeleteI totally agree! It makes no sense at all, since we are old and change comes quickly. There should definitely be a penalty.
ReplyDeleteGood point about change comes quickly.
DeleteI agree wholeheartedly!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteWe are a really large group of old people, Red. I don't think there are enough physicians and specialists to get to all of us in a timely fashion. Maybe it is a good sign when appointments are delayed as your results may show that your condition isn't urgent. Hope so!
ReplyDeleteOh my situation is not urgent I think!
DeleteI have learned over the years when it comes to test results, to always call after the agreed upon time and still no word.
ReplyDeleteI understand your frustrations though especially when it sometimes feels they are toying with your life. But being married to a medical doctor, I also see the other side of things. My wife's nurse is assigned hundreds of tasks per day to complete in order to affectively treat patients, including calling to notify them of results. This is on top of rooming in patients and taking a basic history plus the day to day pop up emergency type things that always happen. Combine that with administration who doesn't want to pay overtime and at least here in the U.S. can't hire enough people due to the severe shortage, and it quickly becomes the "squeaky wheel getting the grease" sort of situation. That is why I squeak and make the phone call.
Doctors are also human and need time off. Their schedule is filled up sometimes six months in advance. Any week off if going to disappoint the 100 patients she would have seen that week in some form or the other due to rescheduling. Take two weeks off and have a medical conference to improve learning and you are talking 300 to 400 patients. It is a no win situation but one critical for maintaining the sanity of the doctor and keeping their knowledge current. My advice would be to call for the results so at least you know that and don't have to mull on the answer until the next scheduled appointment.
You make some excellent points. I am aware that that has to happen. Where I'm coming from is when someone takes a month or 6 weeks. I really don't like phone calls for treatment and diagnosis. And sometimes I'll bet your wife comes home completely exhausted.
DeleteMaybe it's like our small town where the numbers of medical personnel has shrunk and the numbers of patients has increased. My longtime doc is no longer available mornings because she now does rounds at our hospital as they have lost personnel.
ReplyDeleteStaffing is definitely and issue.
DeleteIt's here too, the taking too long.I know there is a shortage of health care workers, and that's a big problem, getting bigger.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet you've got some stories as you've had much contact with the medical system
DeleteAnd that's Canadian healthcare.
ReplyDeleteThe good thing here is that we do not pay. the government pays.
DeleteI do not understand waiting weeks for the results of biopsies. Why can't they be given over the phone? By a nurse? And before anyone says one word, that is how we found out Tim had cancer. The office staff had a protocol. A pet scan was immediately ordered. Knowing is always better than the agony of not knowing.
ReplyDeleteYou've been through a challenging time. Are they any better once the diagnosis is made and treatment begins?
DeleteThat was Debby, btw. I'm in the US. I can honestly say that once the diagnosis was made, the PET scan was sceduled immediately. He saw his doctor right away, and things moved quickly diagnostically...however, he was diagnosed in July and Surgery did not happen until October, which was a sickening waiting time.
DeleteI could not agree more. In the UK we face this problem all the time, thanks to the woefully underfunded NHS. Dave just made an appointment to see a rheumatologist and it's in July!
ReplyDeleteHello Red, Your experiences with delays in healthcare, especially concerning the investigation of potentially serious conditions, are understandably frustrating. The wait times for initial appointments, follow-ups, and even just to receive test results can indeed be anxiety-inducing and detrimental to one's health. Your suggestion for implementing rules and regulations to ensure timely care is a valid one, as it could help in prioritizing patient welfare and streamlining the treatment process. While it's true that healthcare professionals face numerous challenges, including resource and facility limitations, the importance of timely medical attention cannot be overstated. Implementing a system that holds delays accountable, perhaps with a focus on improving efficiency within the constraints faced by healthcare providers, could be beneficial for patients and practitioners alike. It’s crucial for the healthcare system to find a balance that respects the demands on professionals while also safeguarding patient health and wellbeing. John
ReplyDeleteOur healthcare is a stressful mess.
ReplyDeleteSpot on post!
ReplyDeleteIt is disgraceful the amount of time in some cases it takes to get an appointment. There should never be an unreasonalbe delay it giving a patient test results. Not doing so is cruel.
Oh gracious! That's just awful! My mom is under Kaiser and they get back to me right away about her care. Art and I are with the military medical care. It's OK, but not as good as mom's. But we certainly don't have to wait months and months for care. Ouch!
ReplyDeletethis seems painful for patient and embarrassing for authorities to take such long time to see the patient .
ReplyDeletei share your concern for being much old because i can imagine even at my 50s that old age can be fragile sometimes specially when facing health issues .
here i can't say is the same case ,if one has more money he can visit to private doctor anytime ,some cheap services are available for poor or middle class as well but availability of doc is hardly an issue
I don't notice, since I don't get sick. Hopefully answers are forthcoming.
ReplyDelete