Endocrinologists

[sneakersjay]

Does anyone else's endo require their doctor to CALL and make the appointment FOR YOU?  I've been referred to many specialists over the years and usually they just require the referral letter faxed over or brought with you at the time of your appointment.  My primary did that last week.  Today they tell me that the primary has to call.

I just found it odd.  Or maybe it's the norm??

Jay

[Kate]

Does anyone else's endo require their doctor to CALL and make the appointment FOR YOU?

Well, my therapist did "introduce" me to the endos she works with... meaning she talked to them first about my case, made sure they were taking new patients, etc. But it was up to me to make my own appointment afterwards.

I ended up going with someone I found on my own though

~Kate~

[April221]

You're right, it does sound odd.  I'm wondering if it's a requirement of your health plan.

[sneakersjay]

You're right, it does sound odd.  I'm wondering if it's a requirement of your health plan.

Yeah, but they told me that without asking my plan.

The receptionist wasn't helpful, more like bored and I've said this a gazillion times today and wah, he's bothering me again, with a 'tude.  If the endo didn't come highly recommended by several people I'd go elsewhere just based on office staff alone.  You'd think they'd be a little more helpful.

Jay

[lisagurl]

I just found it odd.

Sometimes they have the receptionist make the appointment with you standing there and you giving an OK to the date. Sometimes insurance requires a referral. My doc even e-mails me a name if I ask for a specialist and lets me make the appointment. Others send your file to the specialist.  There is no set rule that they all follow.

Posted on: June 10, 2008, 04:34:40 PM

You'd think they'd be a little more helpful.

Not everyone likes their job. Sometimes you get what you pay for other times you need to go someplace that wants you business.

[tekla]

Not everyone likes their job.

True that.  But...

highly recommended by several people
can make people be a bit ruder, as they know they will get the business.

[lisagurl]

highly recommended by several people
can make people be a bit ruder, as they know they will get the business.

But they would not get my business just as I will not shop at Walmart.

[sneakersjay]

I've found a lot of times the best doctors have the most obnoxious staff.  I don't know why that is.  My own personal primary doc included, though she (the rude one) miraculously wasn't there last week when I had my appointment.

I've been around enough in medicine to know that I'd rather put up with some obnoxious behavior (which I hate) to get a doctor who knows his/her stuff, than end up with a polite receptionist and a total quack for a doctor.  I don't tolerate quacks, not even for my dogs.  They're out there in all professions and that's scary.

Jay

[Lori]

I was referred and that therapist sent the letter to the doctor. The second time the new therapist sent us both a referral letter so if I wanted to change doctors I would have that letter to take with me to the new one.

[sneakersjay]

I understand letters and referrals.  I don't understand the need for a primary care doc to make the PHONE CALL.

The only time one ever did was when my son was referred to a pediatric hematologist.  That should have been my clue when not only did they make the appointment, but it was for 8am the next day, all the while telling me it was 'no big deal, likely a virus'.  Imagine my surprise when the sign said Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.  Prime the clue gun...and no, I don't trust that doctor -- he failed to tell me the god's honest truth and instead told me a lame LIE so I could 'get one good night's sleep' before my world fell apart.  Uh, thanks, dude.  NOT!!

He's lucky Jay was supressed and instead was just faced with a timid mom...GRRR and that was over 7 years ago now (son is fine, now 5 years off chemo).

Jay