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[treehugger1]

I'm sitting here attempting to calm an intense annoyance, so I thought I'd sollicit others' opinions on the matter at hand.

My doctor's office just called saying that, according to the blood test I had done Monday, my cholesterol level is iffy, and that I should make an appointment for a follow-up.

But here's the thing: I went to the doctor's last week, -- with no health complaints whatsoever -- merely to request a blood test to determine whether or not I was menopausal. I did not request any other blood work to be done. Nor do he or anyone at the lab tell me what they were conducting tests for other health issues. Yet, apparently they did.

Is this normal? Should someone at least have mentionned what (else) was being tested?

Why am I annoyed (aside from the lack of communication/consent)? I have some reason to believe that my Dr. is a kind of drug/medical procedure pusher. (Example: On my SO's first visit, he was asked -- out of the blue --- if he had "erectile disfunction"!) I'm concerned that when I do go for the follow-up (which I need to do to get the results about the hormone levels) he'll urge me to start taking medication for this new "problem."

[frogfactory]

They gave out medical results over the phone?  That sounds dodgy of itself.

[unspoiled]

They gave out medical results over the phone?  That sounds dodgy of itself.

As a patient here in the US, I've received test results over the phone pertaining to my own medical record including those of routine blood tests derived from a physical and those of a biopsy.  Don't they do that where you're from/in your current area?  

[prephd]

If you don't feel good, find another doctor. There are plenty out there. Totally been there.

[frogfactory]

They gave out medical results over the phone?  That sounds dodgy of itself.

As a patient here in the US, I've received test results over the phone pertaining to my own medical record including those of routine blood tests derived from a physical and those of a biopsy.  Don't they do that where you're from/in your current area?  

No, they don't where I'm from because of concerns over patient confidentiality (I've been both a patient and a secretary in the NHS).  How are they meant to know it's you?

Over here I avoid doctors and hospitals as much as humanly possible because they plainly suck for anyone not on fancy pants insurance, so I have no idea what the rules are.

[unspoiled]

They gave out medical results over the phone?  That sounds dodgy of itself.

As a patient here in the US, I've received test results over the phone pertaining to my own medical record including those of routine blood tests derived from a physical and those of a biopsy.  Don't they do that where you're from/in your current area?  

No, they don't where I'm from because of concerns over patient confidentiality (I've been both a patient and a secretary in the NHS).  How are they meant to know it's you?

Over here I avoid doctors and hospitals as much as humanly possible because they plainly suck for anyone not on fancy pants insurance, so I have no idea what the rules are.

NHS is in Britain, right? I've received wonderful treatment in the UK but can't comment on their full bureaucratic take on ethics matters.

How are they meant to know it's you?

I've thought about that sometimes.  However, here in the US I've noticed from getting medical treatment for myself (which I'm pretty religious about getting) that the patient is supposed to provide the phone number of their choice for contact, and these days it's mostly their cell phone patients presumably have more control of in terms of who answers it and when, as opposed to their home phone.  There's hardly any method of contacting someone that ensures 100% confidentiality except getting all of one's medical results, no matter how trivial, in person.  Does one always get their medical results in Britain in person? (blissful ignorance here, don't take it the wrong way). Otherwise, how are they meant to know who opens your mail? 

[frogfactory]

Yes, you always get results in person unless you've specifically asked to be copied on a letter to another physician, except in cases where you, say, had an STD test and it comes back negative, in which case you will not be asked to come back.

I can't think of any case in which positive (bad) results or results that require interpretation would be delivered in any manner other than in person, or when it would be appropriate for that to happen.  Doctors might occasionally break the rules, being doctors, but admin are thoroughly warned that they cannot give out any medical details over the phone for legal reasons.  Appointment letters are sent in the snail mail, it's true.

[glowdart]

Since I hit 25 or so, anytime I've had bloodwork, they have done a series of basic tests rather than just one. 

That said, I would trust your instincts about the other parts. 

[treehugger1]

They gave out medical results over the phone?  That sounds dodgy of itself.

Yes, they did, kinda. The nurse (or whoever called me) mentioned that the cholesterol number (for which, as I said, I hadn't wanted to be tested) was problematic, but she wouldn't say exactly what the number was. Even more frustrating, she wouldn't tell me, or even hint about the results of the test that I did request, and am particuarly interested in (the hormone levels).

If you don't feel good, find another doctor. There are plenty out there. Totally been there.

Yeah. I really should. It's just that I've been trying to avoid the hassle -- getting recommendations, seeing which Drs are on the insurance plan, (potentially) driving even farther for the appointments, maybe getting someone even worse, etc. .

But, maybe this will this push me to act ...

[treehugger1]

Since I hit 25 or so, anytime I've had bloodwork, they have done a series of basic tests rather than just one. 

That said, I would trust your instincts about the other parts. 

But don't they tell you though what you're being tested for?

It's probably considered completely routine, but, to me, at least, it just feels like some kind of wierd invasion of privacy. (I wasn't going for a checkup, after all).

[glowdart]

Since I hit 25 or so, anytime I've had bloodwork, they have done a series of basic tests rather than just one. 

That said, I would trust your instincts about the other parts. 

But don't they tell you though what you're being tested for?

It's probably considered completely routine, but, to me, at least, it just feels like some kind of wierd invasion of privacy. (I wasn't going for a checkup, after all).

Nope -- for example, if I go in specifically for a thyroid test (no symptoms, just checking levels), then they also include a CBC, Chem panel, etc. 

[unspoiled]

Yes, you always get results in person unless you've specifically asked to be copied on a letter to another physician, except in cases where you, say, had an STD test and it comes back negative, in which case you will not be asked to come back.

I can't think of any case in which positive (bad) results or results that require interpretation would be delivered in any manner other than in person, or when it would be appropriate for that to happen.  Doctors might occasionally break the rules, being doctors, but admin are thoroughly warned that they cannot give out any medical details over the phone for legal reasons.  Appointment letters are sent in the snail mail, it's true.

Thanks for your clarification. But apart from the in-person counseling that accompanies positive (bad) results of major life impact in (I believe) most Western medical cultures, isn't the British system of notification quite time- and labor-consuming (in work hours wasted by both parties, but especially on the patient's side since it could be argued the doctor's office would end up spending money anyway on postage, phone calls etc.)?  

Say, I take time off from work to have a physical done and then, if I'm in Britain, do I also have to take time off from work to get my test results in person (hypothetically speaking, no STD or malignancy but borderline high cholesterol, normal EKG, vitamin D deficiency and an X-ray that will need to be repeated because of a technical glitch)?  If I lived in Britain now, would I physically have to go into the doctor's office to hear all this data or to be handed a sealed envelope, or both?

[frogfactory]

Thanks for your clarification. But apart from the in-person counseling that accompanies positive (bad) results of major life impact in (I believe) most Western medical cultures, isn't the British system of notification quite time- and labor-consuming (in work hours wasted by both parties, but especially on the patient's side since it could be argued the doctor's office would end up spending money anyway on postage, phone calls etc.)?  

Say, I take time off from work to have a physical done and then, if I'm in Britain, do I also have to take time off from work to get my test results in person (hypothetically speaking, no STD or malignancy but borderline high cholesterol, normal EKG, vitamin D deficiency and an X-ray that will need to be repeated because of a technical glitch)?  If I lived in Britain now, would I physically have to go into the doctor's office to hear all this data or to be handed a sealed envelope, or both?

Well, apart from anything, your doctor isn't likely to test for anything without telling/asking you, so that's a different issue.  If you need further tests, a phone call/letter to say 'can you make another appointment for X' is acceptable.

If you have borderline-high cholesterol that was incidentally picked up, you won't be able to do much with that information without a doctor to give you the facts and the options anyway, so yes, you would be asked to make an appointment.  What good would a sealed envelope with just the results do you as a patient?  Remember, you don't have to pay for healthcare out of pocket, so why not make the best use you can of the NHS?

[unspoiled]

Remember, you don't have to pay for healthcare out of pocket, so why not make the best use you can of the NHS?

I was not fully aware of that financial aspect, and apparently that's the crux of everything else (regarding the conducting all medical communication in person regardless of significance level /degree of life impact).  Thanks for your time.  

[frogfactory]

Roll on in, socialised healthcare.

< /derail>