What can I expect at an Evaluation Appointment at Mayo Clinic

Hello @hannie and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We are a patient-to-patient community that offers support and encouragement based on our own personal experiences. In that light, I have to say that you are asking very good questions about your upcoming appointment.

I can understand your wanting more information prior to your appointment. Is this facility where you will be seen a multi-disciplinary medical center such as a university medical school or an organization like Mayo Clinic? Do you have to travel far from home for this appointment?

I know that at Mayo Clinic if you are coming as a first-time patient, you are given a pretty good plan of your first visit and what might be accomplished at that appointment and in the following days.

I'm thinking that is probably what you are looking for. Is this a correct understanding?

Is your appt at Mayo?

Sometimes dr needs to have a better understanding of what tests have already been done and talk to you before ordering additional tests.

If you have not checked out Mayo's "How to make the most of your Mayo Clinic appointment" web page, See following article:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/preparing-for-your-visit/how-to-make-the-most-of-your-appointment
If Mayo, make sure create a Portal sign on and see if there are any forms to fill out ahead of time. It will save you time when check in for your first appointment. There is link on above mention web page on how to create a Portal signon.

Laurie

Thank you for replying!

I’m being seen at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, and we live 8 1/2 hours away.

This is my first time, and I have zero information from anyone other than “show up at 9:30am.”

Thank you for replying!!

Yes, my appt is at Mayo, Rochester. I’ve sent all my med records up a few weeks ago, and my scan records have all been pushed up electronically.

I’ve filled out the Portal completely, have insurance approval, and called the neurology department directly.

Since this doctor contacted me to come up, I’m making an assumption (perhaps erroneously?) that he understands a bit of my issues.

@hannie. Having an open ended schedule can be really taxing when you’re trying to make arrangements with hotels, worrying about what appointments to make, etc. Let me reassure you that you’ll be in excellent hands with the staff at Mayo Clinic and your trust is well-placed. You’ll be amazed at the efficiency with which your appointments are scheduled after the evaluation if you need to be seen further at the clinic. Occasionally, after your evaluation, some tests might be turned over to a provider closer to your home with a treatment plan making it convenient for you.
If they’re needed at Mayo, the appointments will be scheduled quickly. Frequently the appointments can get bumped sooner by just checking in at the desk where they’ll do a quick check for times.
With your records already in the hands of the neurologist, he will have reviewed your case before you arrive. But until he actually visits with you it would be difficult to see what further tests might be required.

The hotels are very accommodating, most with a 24 hour or less cancellation notice. So I’d suggest making your reservations for 7 days and then cancel if you don’t need the room.
Are there any other questions you have for your trip? Do you need suggestions for hotels? Restaurants?
There are several hotels, restaurants and stores connected to the Clinic in Rochester via a tunnel system called the subway and within easy walking distance. Other hotels in the area offer shuttles to and from the clinic. Quite a few of the hotels offer suites with full kitchen amenities so that you’re able to to set up housekeeping for an easier time of meal planning and relaxing after your appointments.

Here are a couple of links which might be of some help to you.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/concierge-services
– https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/hotels-lodging

– Tips: Traveling to Mayo to get medical care safely during COVID-19 https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/your-tips-traveling-and-getting-medical-care-safely-during-covid-19/

I came to Mayo Clinic in 2015 looking for a diagnosis of why I was losing the use of my thumb. I was only scheduled to see the neurologist and one EMG. I look at it as my neurologist was the quarterback of my team. Once he reviewed my previously sent tests and notes from other doctors and examining and talking with me he had a better understanding of who is needed to be added to the team. But I will tell you this after that first appointment any needed tests and appointments with other doctors were scheduled quickly. There is no need to worry. Mayo has your back. They understand that most of their patients are from a distance away and they work hard to schedule appointments as close as possible. They spoil you with their care. They have set the bar extremely high in patient care.

In my opinion I will not trust anyone else with my treatment. They provided me with a diagnosis when others could not. They performed surgery and continue to monitor me annually. I consider my Mayo medical team as family.

I wish this was the case for us. My husband's appt was Tues, tests scheduled for Wed and the doctor thought a sleep study Wed night. Apparently something got lost in translation bcs when checking what time he needed to be there for the sleep study the person said we don't have anything until Oct. My husband was able to see his test results come 3p on Wed. He let the doctor know he would be leaving Thursday morning unless they needed him to stay, just let him know. No contact despite sending messages and texts Wed. So he decided to stay Thursday just in case the doctor needed to run more tests and if he could get the sleep study straight. Still no contact despite multiple messages and calls sent Thursday. Still nothing on Friday! I'm not understanding why a doctor or someone hasn't made contact to atleast give test results and let us know what's going on. Now it's the weekend and have to wait 2 more days. So frustrated!

Hello @katangel0707, Welcome to Connect. I can understand being frustrated by not being contacted right away in your husband's situation. I encourage you to call the Office of Patient Experience at Mayo Clinic.

Office of Patient Experience
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday
507-284-4988

Does your husband have a Mayo Clinic Patient Portal where he can log in and send a message to his doctor or care team?

Hi thank you for responding. Yes he began messaging through the portal on Wednesday after he saw the results himself. He also called Wednesday because he wanted to reach the doctor and let him know about the sleep study. He stayed in Florida an additional 2 days to wait and hear from the doctor but despite calling and messaging the portal there has been no response. He had to get on a flight back home up north. We are a 15 hour drive away so wanted to get everything done.

Hello @hannie

I noticed that you had an appointment at Mayo in March. I hope that you got some helpful information.

I would enjoy hearing from you. Will you post an update, when it's convenient?