Another rude receptionist

mercurialqueen

My surgery was going to be yesterday for lumpectomy of DCIS, but because of high thyroid levels, it had to be cancelled (dangerous with anesthesia).  I go to an endocrinologist who prescribed for me two medications.  I had cancelled an appointment in March, then I was diagnosed with DCIS and forgot about my other appointment in April.  Well, when I called endocrinologist's office to talk to the doctor to ask him questions and to make another appointment, the secretary/medical assistance gave me an ear full about how "this is not fair, you had two previous appointments and you cancelled them, bla,bla,bla, etc.,etc.).  I finnaly said, "fine, I'll go to my PCP" and she answered "OK and hang up" I explained to her that I was diagnosed with DCIS, but she kept talking and didn't even flinch.  OK I just wanted to vent, I'm a little frustrated about the postponement of my surgery.

I know I should be more assertive.  I'm going to write a letter to the doctor, because I know I could never get through her to talk to him.

pat1154

Hi,

Sorry to hear about our experience,If you read my first post "results given by receptionist" ,you know that I understand  just how you feel. Send the letter but,be sure to  add  "private" or "for Dr. only".I'm advising you to do it this way because I work for a Dr. and we open all mail unless the above words are clearly stated.Your PCP should be able to do follow-up now that you are on meds. All the best to you

redsox

If you can find the doctor's email address, try sending email.  Be very calm and fair in your description of events. 

Otherwise, leave a message asking the doctor to call you.  Give no explanations or excuses -- just that you want him to call you.  Again, be very calm and fair when you talk.

mercurialqueen

Good advise from you guys.  I called the PCP and she's adjusting my doses.  I will write the letter and I'll be polite and professional and I will prite "Personal and Confidential".  I am a nurse and I would never interfere with a doctor/patient relationship.

Sydney6

Definitely write a letter to the doctor.  I went for my mammo, got called back & had an ultrasound the the day of the call back.  The radiologist told me to call my OBGYN (who was the doctor who wrote the script) that afternoon.  When I called I got a snippy nurse who told me that that;s not how it works.  I had to wait until the doctor received the report via snail mail, had a chance to review it & then she would contact me.  I went for the call back on a Friday in the morning.  When the woman told me I'd have to wait I said I guess it's going to be a long weekend.  She replied that I had nothing to worry about.  I said you don't know that & if it were you or someone in your family I'm sure you'd feel the same way.  She then said maybe if she didn't have a medical background.  I said how dare you say that and quickly got off the phone with her.  My ultrasound and mammo showed a BIRAD 5 - Highly suspicious for malignancy.  I worte to the doctor & he called me to apologize for her & said they had had problems with her before.  He said I had every right to be concerned & if it were his wife he would be concerned.  At this point I hadn't had a biopsy yet & the cancer had not been confirmed.  Definitely report this insensitive receptionist. 

Sue

mercurialqueen

Oh Sue I'm sorry you went through this, but this happened in 2008 or is tis a new diagnosis?  I hope not.  I hope you're doing great now.

God bless.

Maria

Sydney6

Maria - That was in 2008 when I was diagnosed.  Thus far all looks good.  Just finished a year on Tamox.  Thank you for your concern.  I had several health issues over the past few years and have seen many doctors.  I don't know what these people are thinking when they treat people this way.  I also had a run in at the oncologists office.  Everytime I would go there they'd ask me for a $30 copay which I do not have.  I explained it to them several times, but they were down right nasty about it.  One of the first times it happened one of the girls called the insurance company, but never updated my chart.  Don't know what happened to the copy of my insurance card that they made.  You are important and deserve to be treated with respect.

Sue 

roseg

Aren't endocrinologists pretty overbooked and busy?

It could be that this woman deals with too many people every day. I'd give her a break, plus your PCP can help you instead.

Hopefully you cancelled the appointments with 24 hours notice and didn't call up 10 minutes before your booked time to tell them you couldn't come?

Doctors who "think" verses those who "do" procedures are not at all well reimbursed for their time. Unfilled appointments represent a loss for them.  If you give them 24 hours notice they often have a list of people ready to take any last-minute appointments. If you don't give them notice then it's a financial drain for them.