Telephone consult

Posted by lorna813 @lorna813, May 20, 2016

Has anyone done a telephone consultation with a doctor? Is it possible?

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@kdubois

I live in New York state, and I've had several phone consults from different Mayo Rochester specialties. When we set up the appointment, we just ensure to confirm which time based on our different times zones. The doctor always calls me.

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I wasn't aware of the Virtual Visit. I will have to check this out. At this point, getting to Mayo isn't an issue and gives us an excuse to visit with our daughter/SIL in Minneapolis.

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Hello @tomewilson,

As I understand it, Mayo Clinic is not offering virtual consultation for patients that are brand new to Mayo Clinic. There are some consults taking place virtually within the system. They are used for return visits and I'm not quite sure of the logistics.

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I just called the Vascular Center in Rochester, MN and asked if we could set up a telemedicine/phone consultation for my very ill but very sharp mentally 88 year old father who is facing a possible leg amputation due to PAD and possible life-threatening cardiac bypass surgery. The woman who answered the phone in the vascular center was very discouraging and said he would have to come in person. I found the Cleveland Clinic and MGH in Boston to be a lot more progressive in this area 🙁 @colleenyoung

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@ranimal72

I just called the Vascular Center in Rochester, MN and asked if we could set up a telemedicine/phone consultation for my very ill but very sharp mentally 88 year old father who is facing a possible leg amputation due to PAD and possible life-threatening cardiac bypass surgery. The woman who answered the phone in the vascular center was very discouraging and said he would have to come in person. I found the Cleveland Clinic and MGH in Boston to be a lot more progressive in this area 🙁 @colleenyoung

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This is disappointing to hear. I would Mayo has a stated policy on this. We all know it’s the future in a number of situations.

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@ranimal72

I just called the Vascular Center in Rochester, MN and asked if we could set up a telemedicine/phone consultation for my very ill but very sharp mentally 88 year old father who is facing a possible leg amputation due to PAD and possible life-threatening cardiac bypass surgery. The woman who answered the phone in the vascular center was very discouraging and said he would have to come in person. I found the Cleveland Clinic and MGH in Boston to be a lot more progressive in this area 🙁 @colleenyoung

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@lisalucier @ethanmcconkey @kanaazpereira @JustinMcClanahan Could one of the moderators please provide some insight here? Thanks in advance.

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Just to clarify in the age of out of control medical costs with good hospitals in NYC -and across the USA and world -telemedicine at least for a second opinion -with doctor’s involvement from the first opinion consultation is good cost effective medicine before flying a frail sick elderly person across the country. You don’t need to be an MD/PH.D research/public health policy analyst to realize this. Mayo and other leading medical institutions//translational research institutes should take a clear leadership role. If it were your father or yourself and you were facing an amputation and life threatening heart surgery -you would want to do your due diligence as well. I tagged the moderators in a previous reply??? This thread is 3 years old and it sounds like with regard to telemedicine Mayo is stuck in the 1950’s???

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I totally agree. I believe some state laws may need to change so the medical community can practice medicine across state lines.

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@ranimal72

Just to clarify in the age of out of control medical costs with good hospitals in NYC -and across the USA and world -telemedicine at least for a second opinion -with doctor’s involvement from the first opinion consultation is good cost effective medicine before flying a frail sick elderly person across the country. You don’t need to be an MD/PH.D research/public health policy analyst to realize this. Mayo and other leading medical institutions//translational research institutes should take a clear leadership role. If it were your father or yourself and you were facing an amputation and life threatening heart surgery -you would want to do your due diligence as well. I tagged the moderators in a previous reply??? This thread is 3 years old and it sounds like with regard to telemedicine Mayo is stuck in the 1950’s???

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Hi @ranimal72
Here is an overview of telehealth or telemedicine
- Telehealth: Technology meets health care https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/telehealth/art-20044878

In this interview, Dr. Steve Ommen, director for Mayo Clinic Center for Connected Care, explains how digital medicine is changing health care. Mayo offers multiple services via telehealth. In most cases, the first visit has to be in person due to jurisdiction limitations (state law) and privacy concerns (HIPPA) as Dr Ommen explains in this interview broadcast just last week. These jurisdiction limitations apply to all health care institutions in the US.

Connected care and digital medicine: Mayo Clinic Radio
https://youtu.be/N0FD32q497M

In the case of seeking a second opinion, Mayo Clinic doctors will review a patient's records before seeing the patient in person. Mayo’s goal is to provide the best care each patient needs, but does not want you to incur additional costs for evaluation or travel if the care we can offer is not different from what the patient is already receiving.

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@colleenyoung

Hi @ranimal72
Here is an overview of telehealth or telemedicine
- Telehealth: Technology meets health care https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/telehealth/art-20044878

In this interview, Dr. Steve Ommen, director for Mayo Clinic Center for Connected Care, explains how digital medicine is changing health care. Mayo offers multiple services via telehealth. In most cases, the first visit has to be in person due to jurisdiction limitations (state law) and privacy concerns (HIPPA) as Dr Ommen explains in this interview broadcast just last week. These jurisdiction limitations apply to all health care institutions in the US.

Connected care and digital medicine: Mayo Clinic Radio
https://youtu.be/N0FD32q497M

In the case of seeking a second opinion, Mayo Clinic doctors will review a patient's records before seeing the patient in person. Mayo’s goal is to provide the best care each patient needs, but does not want you to incur additional costs for evaluation or travel if the care we can offer is not different from what the patient is already receiving.

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Hi Ms.Young. I was hoping to get some more information from you about the second opinion records review that you mentioned in your post " In the case of seeking a second opinion, Mayo Clinic doctors will review a patient's records before seeing the patient in person. Mayo’s goal is to provide the best care each patient needs, but does not want you to incur additional costs for evaluation or travel if the care we can offer is not different from what the patient is already receiving." We are currently looking to connect with a surgeon that was recommended in hopes he will review my husbands records for a second opinion on a treatment / surgical plan. Due to his critical care while undergoing treatment and mobility challenges, this would allow us to see if he's even a good candidate to become a patient before making the trip across the county for a full evaluation / consult. The surgeon's profile notes a few things in line with my husband's situation that we feel his unique skills could be of great benefit for his overall outcome and care. Thank you in advance for your time, any guidance is so greatly appreciated.

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@mgb

Hi Ms.Young. I was hoping to get some more information from you about the second opinion records review that you mentioned in your post " In the case of seeking a second opinion, Mayo Clinic doctors will review a patient's records before seeing the patient in person. Mayo’s goal is to provide the best care each patient needs, but does not want you to incur additional costs for evaluation or travel if the care we can offer is not different from what the patient is already receiving." We are currently looking to connect with a surgeon that was recommended in hopes he will review my husbands records for a second opinion on a treatment / surgical plan. Due to his critical care while undergoing treatment and mobility challenges, this would allow us to see if he's even a good candidate to become a patient before making the trip across the county for a full evaluation / consult. The surgeon's profile notes a few things in line with my husband's situation that we feel his unique skills could be of great benefit for his overall outcome and care. Thank you in advance for your time, any guidance is so greatly appreciated.

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Hi @mgb, Mayo Clinic medical teams work as a group. It is more likely that your husband's records will be reviewed by a team of experts. You can read more in the answers to frequently asked questions here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/appointments/faq
It states:

Q: Can I request a particular provider?
A: You may wonder if it's possible to see a specialist you have read about. Or someone who has been recommended by a friend or colleague. Mayo Clinic can't honor all requests, but we try to when possible. However, we won't grant requests for care team members based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, disability status, age or any other personal attribute. We strive to create an environment where everyone in our diverse community feels safe and welcome and is treated with respect and dignity. Appointment specialists are specially trained to match you with the provider or group that's the best fit for your diagnosis and your history.

Here is the link to request an second opinion review: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

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