Sounds like the hematologist is independent of any healthcare "group". Is that correct?

It takes time for blood tests to be run ... more if the place doesn't have the lab equipment and has to send it out to someone who does. Unless she signed a release [common these days] they won't tell her over the phone about the results ... it will take another visit.

Correct. It's a fairly large practice with 5 MDs, but not connected with a larger healthcare group.

bragu, they emailed her the results of her blood test. But she is complaining they didn't summarize what was said at the initial visit in a report. I took detailed notes, so she isn't in the dark. But truthfully, had she gone there alone, she would have had no idea what transpired.

A year ago I went to a new cardiologist for pre-surgery clearance. He asked questions and raised concerns that left me second-guessing my current quality of care. I’ve seen him since and I really like him, but his lack of a patient portal wirh access to post visit summaries, lab results, etc. has left me looking for yet another new doctor.

Drat. Too bad they aren't on an electronic system of any sort. I understand the frustration the specialist may feel, and there are many whose hands are tied using such systems, but in a world where we are moving that direction, it doesn't make sense to continue practice without it? I bet FOAS isn't alone in foregoing someone who can't be bothered with utilizing a seriously important patient tool.

is it routine for specialists to give a written summary of the visit, either as you leave or following on?

specialist or not, that has never happened with me. if it did, i'd probably have a heart attack and then we'd have a whole other issue! 🤣

i recently went to a highly recommended ortho dr. for nagging back pain. i really did like him, great personality and very nice. i had quite a few xrays and he did do some manipulation but he seemed to be in such a big hurry to go onto his next patient, i was still asking questions as he was exiting the room. as i suspected would happen, he ordered 6 weeks of p/t before we explore any other non-surgical options.

Chisue is right. Just call the office and ask.

Your friend's tizzy seems odd and wouldn't seem to have anything to do with having seen a specialist.

People whose docs are in practices with comprehensive and patient accessible med records have gotten instantly accustomed to the convenience. Turn the clock back 10 years or so and such systems weren't very common.

It sounds like the doc did a reasonable job of explaining things. Was your friend not paying attention or have difficulty understanding or remembering? With you as a note-taker, what's missing?

My former cardiologist always gave me a printed summary of my visit. He was a member of a hospital medical group and the hospital uses My Chart, so I can also go to their website and see the results of any tests, etc. My current cardiologist gives me printed information, but not a visit summary. My PP often gives me the printed results of blood tests. I think it just varies by doctor, and I wouldn't get upset about not getting one.

I find the printed summaries to be pretty much a waste of paper. I fold them in half and use the backs for shopping lists. I do have a patient portal though. I have a Hematologist by the way. The sorts of test that Hematologists do are so complex that a summary wouldnt be much use I wouldnt think. I am sure the clinic that I go to would print me copies of the tests if I asked for them though. Going to the doctor can be unnerving at the best of times and the reasons you go to a Hematologist is going to be a complicated visit. Having someone else to make notes is always your best option. Your friend is lucky you can do this.

Did the patient see the Doctor write down (or enter into a computer) notes while the appointment was in process? If so, more then likely those notes will need to be transcribed before they would make sense to a patient. Many doctors still use codes when describing procedures and conditions.

I don't know, Maddielee, I was too busy taking notes myself. My friend called the office and I believe she got this worked out.

Many places have a patient portal where you can log in and see test results, doctor's notes, meds and billing. I use mine often and like the graph feature on bloodwork where I can see and compare my results to the norm and my improvements.

I certainly would not look for a different MD just over the lack of the computerized notes. Skill, empathy, listening, knowledge, curiosity, not being rushed - all vastly more important that a printed sheet of paper. The computer systems such as MyChart do tend to draw the MD's attention and time during your appointment with its rote, "cookbook" questions and answer fields, which has to be balanced against the convenience. You can make your own notes during the visit..

The cute little doctor's offices a few blocks away or on a corner nearby mostly don't exist anymore. For a variety of reasons, most doctors are joining or affiliating with group practices and I think that can lead to improved care. At least that's how it is in my area. Most medical doctors want to spend their time being doctors, not hiring and firing office staff, supervising billing and collections, and other admin chores.

Some group practices are better than others and anyway, patients choose doctors, not groups. The point being, larger groups by necessity have electronic health records with patient-centric accessible areas. For those in less populated areas, choices are limited, practices often smaller, and often the greater consequence of that is more limited access to better doctors.

Is your friend comfortable with the doctor other than the lack of a written follow up? if ongoing care is needed are you or someone else available to accompany her to the visits to take notes? If so, I would stay with this doctor. While portals are helpful, IME they rarely contain the detailed information that was covered in this visit. Taking good notes is essential. And I’d keep in mind that doctors are human and therefore, not perfect. She will need to figure out what trade-offs she is willing to accept.

Also in my experience, the largest practices are not necessarily better. I say this based on my experience with a very large, nationally recognized Chicago hospital which I used for a cancer diagnosis a few years ago. They biopsied the wrong area, put another patient‘s information in my records, the doctors did not communicate with each other leading to poor quality care and additional stress. While the nurses were phenomenal, the doctors sucked. Needless to say, I no longer use this hospital or the doctors.