Questioning Medical Results

[flipnflap]

have you ever received results to a medical test and seriously wondered if they're correct? If so, what have you done about it?

[boxtops]

You can always ask for them to be done again, or for a second opinion. What tests are you worried about?

[Sqad]

I agree with boxtops........a rule for all doctors.......if an unexpected result is returned on a patient, then repeat it.

[Old_Geezer]

My psychiatrist told me I'm going crazy. I told him, "If you don't mind, I'd like a second opinion." He said, "All right. You're ugly too!"

I'm usually perplexed as to why the tests they send me for (usually blood ones) fail to explain the symptoms, which are then ignored unless I chase again and again. Funny sort of service really.

[Sqad]

O_G....what a very good question....I hope LazyGun notices it...;-)

You see O_G...the academics, the back room boys, the statisticians, don't have to explain it, as they never confront a patient and certainly are only accountable for the test.....not the result.

The Clinician is the person who confronts the patient with the test and hopefully an explanation.

Now.......if the test suggests one thing and your body is telling you another story.....that is when one earn's his money..........."flies by the seat of his pants" they say.

[LazyGun]

@Sqad - Your prejudices are showing :)

Short answer O_G. I would contend that the problem is not that the tests do not explain the symptoms - rather, that the medical professional with whom you are consulting has not communicated the link between a result and your symptoms.

It is that interface and the communication between medical professional and patient that is the problem. Now couple that with a low level of scientific/ biochemical understanding amongst the general population ,and the time constraints upon medical professionals, and it is not too surprising that the link between a diagnostic test and the symptoms experienced by the patient are not necessarily fully explained.

The link between daignostic test and disorder is often simple enough to explain - Anaemia and low Haemoglobin for example. Tired all the time, shortness of breath and all that.

But sometimes the link between the 2 can be far more complex and difficult to explain in a short consultation. The meaning of a High ESR, for example, or a borderline high blood sugar level.

We are all individuals, all with our own perception and response to pain or sense of being unwell. Many symptoms are common to a bewildering array of possible causes, so the diagnostic tests will require careful interpretation.

However, there are many resources available to the patient now, more than ever before, which can go some way toward offering greater understanding of what those tests can mean.

Or you can do what I advise. Take a notebook. Note your symptoms. Note your test results. Ask your medical professional to explain how they relate. If you are put on a drug therapy - find out how long they intend for you to be on the drug, found out the period of time for the review, ask about possible common side effects to look out for.

Its all about communiication folks, and the general public have some obligations in this area too :)

[woofgang]

LG as a retired clinician (Occupational therapist) I have been saying this for years. Good clinicians LOVE the patient who takes and uses notes not least because it saves the clinician so much time and increases their patient satisfaction rating exponentially. I would go a step further...if you have adult kids who are worried about you, add their questions to the list as well...I mean don't go in with war and peace but do make the best use you can of your appointment. If there is something that you don't understand or didn't catch, ask for it to be repeated.

[Sqad]

LazyGun

\\\\@Sqad - Your prejudices are showing :) \\\\

LOL.

I think you mean "our" prejudices are showing.......;-)

[Sqad]

LazyGun/woofy

As a one time clinician, facing a NHS OP's of 50 patients, the registrar on study leave the SHO clerking patients on the ward.......the last thing that makes you heart sink deeper into the pit of your stomach, is a patient with a "list."

Now in Private practice, one would recommend that, in that one has the time...;-)

[LazyGun]

@woofgang - could not agree with you more-especially wrt adult children and their questions etc.

@sqad- true enough :)

I passionately believe the basic issue here is a breakdown in the communication process though, with medical professionals pressed for time and the general public lacking the basic information needed to ask the right questions.

Really and truly though - take a notebook people :) Make notes on your symptoms. Tick them off in your consultation. Take note of described medical conditions - get them to spell stuff like the names of drugs out to you if necessary.

[Old_Geezer]

The one time I went to my GP with a list, it didn't go well. After he'd metaphorically thrown his hands up in horror I got a load of platitudes and general advice I was capable of giving him. Asked whether the visit had been useful I didn't have the heart to be honest. Never bothered with that option a second time.

Maybe it's the understanding one gets when first encountering the Health Service as a child. You place the problem in the professional's hands and trust all will then be well. This proactive involvement isn't really something I relish as a patient. Often enough I let it go and put up with the issue. They then mount up over the years.

[woofgang]

Maybe sqad, but the patient goes to see the doc once......understands the issues and what they should be doing and not doing. They are happier with the doctor, the compliance rate goes up and things should improve......about the patient with a list of problems, I couldn't agree more. Our local surgery now says no more than two problems per appointment or ask for a longer appointment
OG train or change your GP. Personally I am not a child and don't want to be treated like one....and didn't when I was a child lol. Doctors are just people too and if they. Rent dealing with you in a way which improves your health then it's up to us as patients to change the way they deal with us.

[woofgang]

Not rent, aren't

[China Doll]

I thought I had PCOS in my late teens, I had some ambiguous results and wasn't sent for a scan. In my early twentys I still thought I had PCOS and went to my new GP who repeated some blood tests and sent me for an internal scan. I did have PCOS. It's not exactly a critical condition but I'm glad I know.