Neurologist. Ethical question

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Called the Dr's office this morning about the referral to the Neurologist. The receptionist let me know it could be a few months (that's what she said about the MRI, too). Should I call my old boss, a Neurologist, and see if he can get me into a colleague faster? Or wait until I know when the appointment is and then go over and see if I can get in on a cancellation? The other thing is, the tech who gave me the MRI told me next time not to wait until my doctor's office scheduled something, but to come up to her. I never worked directly with her, but she worked directly with my boss. Is it unethical to use old connections like that? Does it put doctor's in an awkward position?

Comments

Re: Neurologist. Ethical question

Submitted by mommy2kyra on Fri, 2006-06-16 - 13:39

It is not unethical to see if your former boss can help get you in to see a neuro faster or use your own connections to get your questions answered. I belong to a PPO, so I don't need referrals, I just call whichever doc I want to see (without having to wait). So, in my opinion, there isn't anything wrong with going straight to who you need. I hope that you hear back from the doctor's office soon, so that you aren't wondering for long! Best of luck.. Heather :)

Re: Re: Neurologist. Ethical question

Submitted by gretchen1 on Fri, 2006-06-16 - 18:48

I absolutely think if you have a medical need to see this other faster than 2 months? I'd not only use connections but I've called and asked to speak to the physician's nurse, explained my, or my family's situation and said 2 months is too long to wait. One time my son was having severe asthma problems but not an "asthma attack". His lips were blue, he had sternal retractions but no "attack". I was given an appt a week away. I just took him in. I was ready to camp out. He was seen. A receptionist may be knowledeable, picked up random medical things, but they can not asess your needs. In the last 10 years I've found some very objectionable receptionists, also of course some helpful ones. But too many are like fire eating dragons protecting the hallowed gates. I'm sorry, I find that counterproductive to why the doctor is there. My husband is having serious heart disease. It could be terminal. He was admitted through the ER with a suspected heart attack. It was neither confirmed nor denied and this clunker of a cardiologist they assigned released him the next day with angina, and an abnormal EKG TO WORK. I wanted him to see the best cardio in our area and now. I called his family doctor, told his nurse what was going on. He recommended someone. I called and of course couldn't get in for like 5 years (slight exaggeration) so I called our family physician back, told him how sick my husband was. I wanted him to see the best cardio in our area immediately with his symptoms plus he's already had open heart surgery. Our internist's nurse got him in immediately. Later this new cardio said it was a good thing we got assertive. He didn't have a heart attack,but he was about to. A good employee stays within the guidelines of their jobs. Being a receptionist is an important job but they shouldn't triage patients. TWO months for an MRI? Good grief where is the MRI coming from - Antartica? To me your area needs to invest in some more MRIs or have the mobile units come through more often. A bad melanoma could finish you off before the MRI is done, even before it's diagnosed. Gretchen

Re: Re: Re: Neurologist. Ethical question

Submitted by rebpow on Fri, 2006-06-16 - 19:22

I know this seems really simple, and I can't guarantee that it will work for you. But sometimes, when speaking to the receptionist or head nurse, you tell them that your don't feel that it is safe for you to wait. Sometimes, using language like this makes them more aware of their responsibility and liability to get you the care you really need. Make your concerns their concerns. There's my two cents. Good luck. -Reb