1. < Diabetes & Endocrine System

Need Help With Asking PCP Again for a Referral to a Specialist

Posted by fiesty76 @fiesty76, Feb 1, 2021

I am struggling to find a way to bring up again my request and need for a referral to an endocrinologist for help during this year of being off of Reclast for my osteoporosis. When I made the request in our brief phone visit, she brushed me off saying there were only 2-3 meds I've not been given and to just continue the yr off until I can resume taking Reclast.

I was truly shocked that she wouldn't provide a referral because when I'd asked for a referral to a nephrologist, she provided one. When I said I'd read of additional supplements to add during this interim, she said: "You take a multi-vitamin and it contains the supplements you mentioned". Mine doesn't and those it includes are tiny amts. I'm wondering if she just wanted to keep the phone visit brief and while I don't want to offend her, I could profit from additional help from an endocrinologist. Any ideas about how to approach this diplomatically and obtain the referral?

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JK | @contentandwell | Mar 6, 2021
In reply to @robin615 "I agree. the best security is to email a clear list of queries before each visit...." + (show)
@robin615

I agree. the best security is to email a clear list of queries before each visit.
If you don't have print proof then ask for the nurse's/receptionist name and also ask them to repeat what you are requesting or advising. At teh end of each such contact I suggest you say "I would like to confirm the main points of this call..."

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@robin615 That's a great idea, but unfortunately doctors are forced to see so many patients these days that I think if you tried to stop to "confirm", they would probably be very brusque as they rushed out the door. I do find the portal for me is the best means of communication with most of my doctors.
JK

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fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Mar 7, 2021
In reply to @sru97 "I make all such requests including reasons by portal/email. Not only might the provider have more..." + (show)
@sru97

I make all such requests including reasons by portal/email. Not only might the provider have more time to consider/research your request, but you also have a written record. I’ve not had to do this, but you could even send a request to the specialist and ask them to contact your provider! After all, the worst they can do is say no!

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@sru97, What good ideas! Unfortunately my patient portals do not have a space for adding questions/remarks; they just notify of upcoming appointments and offer lab reports. Nor are e-mails provided but what a wonderful way to have a written record of questions answered! May ask my providers if there are going to be future provisions for both of these because it would be so helpful.

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fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Mar 7, 2021
In reply to @contentandwell "@sru97 I too try to do most of my communication through the portal so there will..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@sru97 I too try to do most of my communication through the portal so there will be a written record of it. Plus, if you speak to an office administrator or a nurse you have no idea how what you said could have been presented to the doctor.
JK

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@contentandwell, You make such good points! I always wonder what the nurse I speak with by phone relays to the doc but for present, this is my best access for questions outside office visits.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 7, 2021
In reply to @contentandwell "@sru97 I too try to do most of my communication through the portal so there will..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@sru97 I too try to do most of my communication through the portal so there will be a written record of it. Plus, if you speak to an office administrator or a nurse you have no idea how what you said could have been presented to the doctor.
JK

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@contentandwell @sru97 and others in this conversation. I agree that using the patient portal is one of the better ways of communicating with your physician between appointments. From a practical point of view, you don't have to wait on hold and give a message (with many repeats) to a receptionist (who may not have a medical background and therefore may not understand your question) which ends up resulting in a long telephone call and leaves you unsure that your correct message gets to your doctor. I basically have chosen two health care facilities in my area to use for all of my medical care. Both of these use EPIC as their patient portal. It makes communication regarding test results and appointments very easy.

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Mar 7, 2021
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@contentandwell @sru97 and others in this conversation. I agree that using the patient portal is one..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

@contentandwell @sru97 and others in this conversation. I agree that using the patient portal is one of the better ways of communicating with your physician between appointments. From a practical point of view, you don't have to wait on hold and give a message (with many repeats) to a receptionist (who may not have a medical background and therefore may not understand your question) which ends up resulting in a long telephone call and leaves you unsure that your correct message gets to your doctor. I basically have chosen two health care facilities in my area to use for all of my medical care. Both of these use EPIC as their patient portal. It makes communication regarding test results and appointments very easy.

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@hopeful33250 Epic is the best software for hospital portals, but I understand it's quite costly. The endocrinologist I go to moved from Manchester to a town in MA and I followed him -- he's that good. At one point when he called me he told me they were changing portal software. I asked if they were getting Epic and he laughed. He said his hospital couldn't afford it, it's very expensive.

Mass General has Epic and so does the local hospital that I used to go but I changed PCPs last year and the hospital I go to now has a very poor software package for their portal. It's so frustrating, particularly after being used to Epic's software.
JK

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