Page 3 | why can't test results be given over the phone?

Nevermay · 2023-08-17T16:29:36+00:00

Message to say doctor needs to speak to me about blood test results- appointment in 10 days time AIBU to think I should be told why now, and not have to wait 10 days? Its a load of worry, and (hopefully) may be all for nothing.

Pollyputhekettleon · 18/08/2023 08:09

RiverLen · 18/08/2023 08:05

Results can be given over the phone. However, a consultation with a gp, whether in person or by phone, is still an appointment. Ie. Still using doctors time. Therefore, giving the results over the phone may not be any quicker if the gp hasn’t got any routine appointment slots free sooner.

There's no need to take up anyone's time if the results from the lab are uploaded to the patient's app at the same time as they're sent to the GP. Alternatively it takes very little time for the receptionist to print off the results and give them to the patient who's called in for them.

fartfacenotfatface · 18/08/2023 08:20

It's because a medical professional needs to give them out if they're anything other than normal. If the receptionist told you, you'd naturally have questions you'd want to ask and the admin team are not qualified to answer them.

Take comfort in the fact that they've made an appointment for 10 days' time. If it was that bad, they'd see you sooner.

Pollyputhekettleon · 18/08/2023 08:57

fartfacenotfatface · 18/08/2023 08:20

It's because a medical professional needs to give them out if they're anything other than normal. If the receptionist told you, you'd naturally have questions you'd want to ask and the admin team are not qualified to answer them.

Take comfort in the fact that they've made an appointment for 10 days' time. If it was that bad, they'd see you sooner.

That's simply not true. Some medical professionals insist on giving them to you to protect you from yourself, others are happy for you to view the results on an app or call in to collect them.

They've cancelled her chemo because of these results, so she can't, and shouldn't, have to trust that the delay is because it's not that bad.

RiverLen · 18/08/2023 09:22

Pollyputhekettleon · 18/08/2023 08:09

There's no need to take up anyone's time if the results from the lab are uploaded to the patient's app at the same time as they're sent to the GP. Alternatively it takes very little time for the receptionist to print off the results and give them to the patient who's called in for them.

Show quote history

I presume the doctor wants to discuss the results, not just give them to her, hence the appointment.

At my surgery, the receptionists will say whether a result is normal. But if there’s any concerns, raised levels, etc then it always warrants a phone call.

fartfacenotfatface · 18/08/2023 09:25

@Pollyputhekettleon - it was true in the trust I worked for (unless things have changed in the last couple of years). At some sites, you could access results yourself online or get a printout sent, but receptionists / non-clinical staff were not allowed to give results over the phone or face-to-face so they weren't put in the awkward position of having the patient ask questions there and then about the results that the admin staff can't / shouldn't answer.
I suppose each area has its own rules / guidance.

sleepyscientist · 18/08/2023 09:27

Our surgery used to put them on the NHS app but has now stopped that for all HCPs, general population still gets there's. Patient get worried and google isn't the best answer.

Pollyputhekettleon · 18/08/2023 15:21

RiverLen · 18/08/2023 09:22

I presume the doctor wants to discuss the results, not just give them to her, hence the appointment.

At my surgery, the receptionists will say whether a result is normal. But if there’s any concerns, raised levels, etc then it always warrants a phone call.

Show quote history

Yes, the doctor wants to do it. But patient's rights to access their own medical data should not be subject to what some particular doctor happens to want.

Pollyputhekettleon · 18/08/2023 15:23

fartfacenotfatface · 18/08/2023 09:25

@Pollyputhekettleon - it was true in the trust I worked for (unless things have changed in the last couple of years). At some sites, you could access results yourself online or get a printout sent, but receptionists / non-clinical staff were not allowed to give results over the phone or face-to-face so they weren't put in the awkward position of having the patient ask questions there and then about the results that the admin staff can't / shouldn't answer.
I suppose each area has its own rules / guidance.

You said 'a medical professional needs to give them out if they're anything other than normal.' You agree that's not true, because you can access results yourself online or get a printout at some sites.

Blancc · 18/08/2023 15:27

Test results usually need to be interpreted or at least understood in context and explained.

Of course the qualified professional should have this discussion with the patient, rather than someone reading a list of data out.

Pollyputhekettleon · 18/08/2023 15:32

sleepyscientist · 18/08/2023 09:27

Our surgery used to put them on the NHS app but has now stopped that for all HCPs, general population still gets there's. Patient get worried and google isn't the best answer.

Google is frequently a better answer than a medical professional. And it's virtually always quicker.

Apart from that, the medical profession is not entitled to withhold patients' own data from them for any reason, including protecting them from worry. It would be an incredibly simple thing, for example, to explain to new patients that when they get results they can either opt to see the raw data as it comes in, which they may not understand/may misunderstand/may worry them unnecessarily, or they can wait for an appointment to have it explained to them. The latter option of course is also not worry-free because if it requires an appointment then there's something, however minor, that needs to be discussed, and a waiting period in which to potentially worry about that. Different people will then choose different things. We're adults. This controlling paternalistic nonsense needs to stop.

Pollyputhekettleon · 18/08/2023 15:35

Blancc · 18/08/2023 15:27

Test results usually need to be interpreted or at least understood in context and explained.

Of course the qualified professional should have this discussion with the patient, rather than someone reading a list of data out.

There's no need for anyone to read it out. They can put the document in an app or allow the patient to collect it, as many places do. Some of us are not completely stupid and can interpret and understand our own results as well as, if not better than, many medical professionals. It should go without saying that there are completely incompetent medical professionals out there, and not a tiny few either. If anyone is in denial about that, take a look at the menopause board or any thread about maternity care.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 18/08/2023 15:37

Does the receptionist know that your chemos has been cancelled and this may exacerbate your illness?

DN chemo was cancelled however he does not have cancer and is being tested for a hospital admission flare up of his crohns disease, his markers flagged an infection.