Medical secretaries know what they're on about, right?

[CrystalBall101]

Had a brain and spine scan last week. Called secretary today to ask how long they're taking to come back atm. She said it came back this morning. I asked if she was able to tell me the result. She said 'well I'm not a doctor but the word normal is in there somewhere'. I just wish she'd said no i can't tell you because I'm not just convinced she's got it wrong. It's a normal scan right? She wouldn't have said that otherwise?

*now convinced

I'd be amazed it a medical secretary was unable to distinguish between a letter saying everything is essentially normal and one that is reporting that there are significant abnormalities/ concerns

I hope you're right!

Anyone can read a report but what she has said is incredibly unhelpful and potentially a sacking offence if giving results is not part of her role. Our admin staff are trained to give “non threatening” routine results over the phone eg “Mrs Cunningfungus, your urine shows no sign of infection” sort of thing but no way would something like a brain scan be part of that.

It needs to be a doctor /nurse who can accurately interpret the report and field and potential questions.

It’s likely the scan is normal (and 🤞 it is) but in this sort of situation, it’s not always black and white. For example, the scan could say something like “normal brain structure but some areas of potential damage to blood vessels” or something like that.

Can you make a telephone appointment with the GP?

Yeah but reports don’t come back like that! It’s a bit more complicated than it’s normal/abnormal.

Honestly I've been googling I'm so anxious but from what I can tell there is usually a section at the end that says 'conclusion, normal brain MRI'. I just wish she'd told me to wait now.

Yeah - it is very likely that it is normal but you shouldn’t have been told like this. Usually if it’s concerning, you’d get phoned by the GP or asked to make an urgent appointment so I’m hoping it turns out to be good news for you in that respect as it must be so worrying .

Whoever ordered the scan should write a letter to your GP and maybe you with the results. It could also be that the consultant reviewed the Radiologist's report and it is essentially a normal scan. Our medical team are allowed to discuss results if they are normal and no further action to take.

Try to think of it this way - worst case she knows nothing, in which case you have no information vs her telling you nothing. Best case she does know what she’s talking about and it’s positive. There’s no way her comment can be an indication of new negative information. Fingers crossed for you x

He hasn't reviewed it as she said he's on leave this week and back on Tues, and scan came back this morning, but hopefully he writes to me soon. They're looking for MS/brain tumor/structural abnormalities which run strongly in my family and I have some worrying symptoms.

.Thanks. I actually felt less anxious when I didn't know anything!

I can totally understand, it’s awful waiting. I have MS and although I am fortunate to have no symptoms (we caught it early and I’ve had some treatment which has been very effective for a number of years now) but I have to have annual MRIs to check for new areas of disease activity. I’m better now but the first few years the wait for the results almost killed me.

Medical secretaries pretty much write the same letters over and over again, there aren't many possibilities.

So it sounds a lot like she was trying to say "I'm not qualified to say and I could be in trouble if I diagnosed you...but does the word 'normal' in there give you a hint?"

I'd bet my money it's good news

I’d have been pretty miffed if a secretary had said that to me. It would have been better if she’d have just said the doctor will discuss the results next week.

I just don't think it's ever ok to talk to patients in riddles. Equally I could've asked her for clarity at the time!

Speaking as an ancient but still working med sec, I would tell an insistent patient if it was definitely normal. If I had any doubts or it obviously wasn't normal, I would say because I was not a doctor, I was not able to interpret it and patient must wait for doctor to see it. However, med secs no longer have proper training courses (used to be a 2-year Association of Medical Secretaries course before you were eligible to work as one) and most have not so much working experience, so would not rate them all the same as us oldies in being able to judge. Also, quite a lot are told by their consultant NOT to tell patients the result as the doctor wants to review it first, even if normal. I have been reading scan reports for a great many years.

Many/most people's spinal scans will show ageing "wear and tear" changes or discs a little out of place that are not pressing on any nerve roots and the report conclusion would mention these and say it was otherwise a normal scan.

I could tell she was an older lady by her voice so hopefully she's an 'ancient med sec' too :)

Mistakes can always be made but I’ve always worked in a medical background (GPS/Private clinics etc) and I’ve never told someone something that’s incorrect especially if it’s to do with a letter or report or results.

even-though she hasn’t got the certificate to say she’s qualified to tell you the results, she will see similar results every day and have a good idea of what they mean.

wishing you luck! Xx

This is reassuring, thank you!

We are not allowed to discuss results until the doctor has seen them. If a patient asks I would say "you need a routine appointment". If there is any concern whatsoever I would book an on the day call or in person appointment. We would NOT leave a patient hanging if there was anything untoward.

I think I'm also just worrying because my brother had lesions in an unusual place that the radiologist missed (but neurologist picked up!) but they chances of that happening again are very slim!

And she wouldn't say that if she wasn't sure but she couldn't say the result if you see what I mean.

She's not supposed to tell you results.

She tried to help you by alluding to them being normal so you don't have to worry until mid next week or whenever the doctor comes back, but in a way she won't get into trouble.

People worry. She prob knows that. Worrying does us no good.

Just go with it all being fine. If the doctor tells you anything else deal with it then. But in the meantime I'd honestly assume it's all normal.

Why do you feel worse now than not knowing? Normal sounds good to me!

What do you mean they don't have to go through training? What?

I always assume the medical secretary is on top of her game, as you seem to be!

Likewise nurses tbh.
Older nurses have seen it all. A teenage doctor hasn't.