First appointment at Mayo Clinic in FL: What to expect?

@darbylc
Welcome to Mayo Connect. I would plan for few days, there could be additional testing before and / or after you provider appointment. Every appointment's schedule is different.

Have you set up your Patient Portal? it is best way to keep up with appointments. In addition, there may be questionnaires that you may need to complete. If fill out ahead of time, saves time at appointment.
For more information or help, see: https://onlineservices.mayoclinic.org/patientportal/support

You might want to check out this articles on "How to make the most of your Mayo Clinic appointment."
https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/how-to-make-the-most-of-your-appointment
Another Connect dissuasion you may want to review Tips for New Specialist:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/your-tips-on-how-to-get-off-to-the-best-start-with-a-new-specialist/
Another great resource is the Mayo's free Concierge Services https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/concierge-services
- Phone: 507-538-8438
- Email: concierge@mayo.edu

Let us know if have any additional questions. I have not been to Mayo Jacksonville location, buy many members of Connect will be able to give you advice.

For your information, when making hotel accommodations, in addition to the many hotels in the area of the Mayo Clinic, a new Hilton Hotel opened this month which is on the grounds of the Mayo Clinic campus. You can ask for the Mayo Clinic rate.

Welcome @darbylc. In addition to the advice you've received from @gfabricant and @roch, I offer these related discussions that are chock full of useful information to help you prepare for your visit to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and connections with others who have been there. See:
- Mayo Neurology group: Anyone been to Mayo in Jacksonville, FL? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-neurology-group/
- Anyone have tips on preparing for initial visit to Mayo Clinic?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/preparing-for-initial-visit/

- How to best plan and prep for my visit to Mayo Jacksonville https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-to-best-plan-and-prep-for-my-visit-to-mayo-jacksonville/

Have you received more information about your upcoming visit? Do you have further questions as you prepare?

Some years ago, I went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester for evaluation and treatment of a severe problem. I was treated very rudely by a gynecologist—so much so that I left in complete shock.
I had a friend who was also treated quite rudely there.
Another friend went there yearly for checkups and was very satisfied w/ her treatment.
I think your experience will depend on the doctor you see. As I think about my experience, I realize that I never did contact them about my negative experience. I should’ve done that—both at the time and after I returned home. I don’t know if I could’ve been seen by another doctor when I was there—I think I was utterly blown away by the experience acutely and didn’t know what to do.
I hope you have a good experience. Another friend in FL uses them as her primary care, and I think she’s happy w/ them.
Good luck!

@5148branelly

I’m sorry that you had a bad experience. Our family receives most of our care at the Jacksonville campus.

Everyone is wonderful. You could not ask for better people to take care of you.

I have found the staff at Mayo in Jacksonville to be collaborative in their care and dedicated about their treatment of patients. Going to Jacksonville is easy to navigate and people are more than willing to help you navigate your way. My experiences have been with Neurology, Radiography as well as the Headache team. You just have to be patient because they are very busy and getting an appointment takes time.

If you need to book a hotel room, call and mention you are going to Mayo. There are discounted rates for Mayo patients not published on the websites.

@roch
Hello, I am having a terrible time on planning as we have to travel and have a Friday first appointment. Since nothing happens on the weekend I was wondering if I should throw myself back on the waiting list, especially since I feel that I may be starting in the wrong section.
I called Jacksonville and had a rude operator tell me that I am crazy to think that I would have anything other than that first evaluation. That I would be returning many times as appointments open up. This just puts me back to the mess I am in, only worse. And if we do have to stay, the weekend will be expensive. Now I do not know what to do. Any ideas? Thank you in advance.

I have been trying to get into a neurologist for more than a year for cognitive decline and CT scan that year showed loss of brain mass. Long history with brain damage from aneurysms and craniotomy’s. I am now 61 years old and have had TMI’s and blood clotting issue. I was denied by Mayo so please don’t miss your opportunity because of financial reasons. You are more important

@amygifu
I'm so sorry that the appointment coordinator was rude. That is not Mayo's standard. If you're willing to wait, call the appointment coordinator to see when the first available appointment on a Monday or Tues is available. If nothing is available, ask when calendars for future months open up. Mayo opens calendars for future months about 2-3 months ahead, depending on the section.

Also, sometimes if you go on the portal, you can try to reschedule an appointment and it will show if anything is available.

@amygifu, I am reading your response to @roch and thought I would pipe in with my 2cents. No one should call you ‘crazy’, I am so sorry you had such a discouraging experience. I initially was ready to respond to the initial discussion posted and now realize it was written by @darbylc and not you. Darbylc had a December 1 evaluation scheduled and I am hoping they can provide an update so you have more feedback.

I am a Mayo MN patient and can speak to my experience. An initial appointment that is virtual typically is one that can be over the phone. They want to make sure what they show as your medications, allergies, etc. are all accurate. If it is an in-person evaluation this would be something that needs to happen before tests are ordered. They may have an idea of what you need. I have had appointments that led to tests immediately following since they do what they can to be as efficient as possible.

I have learned that Mayo Clinic functions unlike other care I have experienced. This may be why they see different results than others. I have found their approach to be conservative to make sure they don’t miss, or have to revisit something. Once they decide what needs to happen it is game on! It’s been a process requiring me to show up, buy in and let them drive, what they do best. For me, more has been accomplished, and quicker at Mayo Clinic even including my round trip drive and overnights.

I want to encourage you to hang in there! Not everyone is a fit, is able to walk through the process Mayo Clinic offers. I am hopeful you are able to find a comfort level and resolve your schedule to one that works for you. If you are willing, please share more about what brings you Mayo and what you hope to accomplish so others will have will know how to comment.

What does your schedule look like? Why do you think you are starting in the wrong section?