Multiple trips to Mayo Clinic

Posted by rdub1971 @rdub1971, May 14 2:45pm

I’ve always heard that MAYO was a great place to go to really figure out what is wrong with you. I was excited to get an appointment for internal medicine, but with a 24 hour round-trip drive, and appointments in three different months, I’m a bit discouraged. The first trip is for consult with a doc, some bloodwork, and a minor neurological test the next day. Driving 24 hours for this seems a bit excessive. Anyone else experience this? It’s going to be hard to make three and four trips from Oklahoma to Minnesota, but maybe that’s just how it is. I had always heard that you come in for a week and they put you through a week long battery of tests…possibly two trips. I have appointments in June, July, and again in August…weeks in between. Just can’t do that…and disappointed.

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Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | May 14 7:45pm

You heard correctly @rdub1971, Mayo Clinic sees patients that haven’t been able to get the answers they need back home. By the very nature of seeing this type of patient all the time, that’s why they’re good at it. I imagine the entire process is overwhelming and sounds a bit foreign. It really is such a relief to be able to move on to your next step.

I am your neighbor up north in KS and I make the drive. I can tell you without hesitation they respect your time and they certainly do not waste an appointment or test. I look at it this way….drive time plus appointment time….have you made progress at home in that amount of time?

Have they told you if they might add appointments while you’re there? Have you asked them why the broken up schedule? Talk to them about why you cannot do it and they will try do their darndist to work with you.

rdub1971 | @rdub1971 | May 14 7:51pm

In reply to @jlharsh "You heard correctly @rdub1971, Mayo Clinic sees patients that haven’t been able to get the answers..." + (show)

Well, that makes good sense…I’ve spent years of small trips with little answers…point taken. I have called a couple times, but will reach out again as my first appointment in July approaches. We will see how it goes. Hopeful!

Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | May 14 7:52pm

In reply to @rdub1971 "Well, that makes good sense…I’ve spent years of small trips with little answers…point taken. I have..." + (show)

Ha! Pick me up on the way and I will ride with you!

Verne | @vernepratt | May 15 8:59am

Big hugs to all of us..

Dan Noyes | @dannoyes | May 25 11:58am

The Mayo experience changed my life and gave me hope. I found that they looked at me as a human being and not just a consumer in the medical system. They take time to understand me and what makes me click. It has also been really helpful to meet others who are on difficult journeys. I attended the three-week PRC program for my epilepsy and FND seizures and whenever we had a new participant, I made sure to tell them they are in the place where we're all "messed up" and need help. No one comes to Mayo if they are easy to figure out. We all have serious, complicated cases. It is humbling, which means we're also good patients (well in most cases). I fought two years with my insurance company to get into Mayo and it wasn't under I was on Medicare, and had a Mayo-connected neurologist, so I could join the Mayo family. The fight was worth it and I feel blessed to be into the Mayo family.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 27 3:01pm

@rdub1971, I encourage you to contact Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic to let them know you would like to consolidate your appointments into fewer visits if possible. Without knowing the details of your situation, there may be medical reasons that certain appointments need space and time in between or it may be a matter of scheduling. Where possible Mayo will try to reduce the number of trips you need to make. Make them aware of your preferences.

That said, things may even change during your first consultation. Be sure to download the patient portal app, called Patient Online Services https://signup.mayoclinic.org/?ApplicationID=24e83c70-19b1-4a2f-9412-fd5838c56be7# New appointments, scheduling changes and more are communicated through the patient portal.

Mayo Clinic offers a free Concierge Service that can be a great help ease the burden as you prepare for your first visit to Mayo Clinic. They can help with things like getting you set up with the patient portal, narrow your hotel options based on your budget and individual needs, recommend restaurants personalized to your preferences or diet and help with directions to and around Mayo Clinic, including shuttle bus schedules, etc. https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/concierge-services

@rdub1971, have you received your Patient Appointment Guide for your first visit yet?

rdub1971 | @rdub1971 | May 27 3:43pm

I have talked to them a few times in scheduling. They made it clear that we might have to make more than one trip and the summer is busy. I did explain the 22-24 hour round trip I would be making each time. I didn’t feel like I had much of a chance to get things consolidated. I am hopeful that more tests and such will happen that can extend our stay after I talk to the doctor. I have a call this Friday to discuss the upcoming visit…I’ll plead my case during this call…and I did hear from one of the schedulers that there things going on behind the scenes that I can’t see on the app…other efforts to get more appointments with various departments. Praying this is so.

Thank you for your comment and encouragement.