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My father has been having many health problems over the past 3 years or so. He is 76 and has been on many medications for years. He has insurance but is getting terrible help. His primary doctor noticed he had a rather large lump on the base of his neck so he had a CAT Scan. It revealed that he has some type of tumor and referred him to an Oncologist. He said the Oncologist would contact him and set him up for some tests. This has been over two weeks ago and he has not had any calls or contact with him. His primary said it appears that he may have multiple tumors around his brain. This may explain his severe head pain and tremors he has. He also at times has a swelling of the tongue and he is not sure what is causing it. He tried contacting his primary but is not getting any feedback and the primary says just wait until the oncologist calls him for an appointment. This is so frustrating and he is in severe pain and reduced to bed and some sitting. Is this normal behavior from the doctors?
Not from the good ones, nor many where I live. It's different around the country. And just b/c the PCP recommended one doc does not mean that he/she is the best. Do your own research, look at their education, their fellowships, board certifications, what professional associations they belong to, etc. Check the online state medical board for malpractice sanctions.
My father has been having many health problems over the past 3 years or so. He is 76 and has been on many medications for years. He has insurance but is getting terrible help. His primary doctor noticed he had a rather large lump on the base of his neck so he had a CAT Scan. It revealed that he has some type of tumor and referred him to an Oncologist. He said the Oncologist would contact him and set him up for some tests. This has been over two weeks ago and he has not had any calls or contact with him. His primary said it appears that he may have multiple tumors around his brain. This may explain his severe head pain and tremors he has. He also at times has a swelling of the tongue and he is not sure what is causing it. He tried contacting his primary but is not getting any feedback and the primary says just wait until the oncologist calls him for an appointment. This is so frustrating and he is in severe pain and reduced to bed and some sitting. Is this normal behavior from the doctors?
Of course it isn't normal. I don't know what to tell you, I don't know where you live but the oncologist certainly should have called back and his primary care doctor should refer him to another doctor. I wouldn't just sit around and let this continue.
I lay this directly at the feet of the PCP. In these circumstances, the PCP should be on the phone with the onc and if unable to get your Dad in immediately, he should be referred to one who can.
In my working days, I was often responsible for finding a spot in the schedule for a referral that came directly from a conversation with the referring doc. Specialists get much of their business on referral from the Gatekeepers. It behooves them to get an emergency into the schedule STAT.
Can't you call the oncologist for an appointment? Or be there with your dad to help him call? If the PCP has made the referral there's no reason you can't call and schedule the appointment. If the PCP has not made the referral, you need to hound them until they do.
Good suggestions from all of you. I live too far away to be able to go with my father to the PCP. He apparently is trying to get in touch with the PCP but is getting the runaround. The PCP is on vacation and he has to wait until next week to get more information. He does not know who the oncologist is, apparently the PCP did not tell him and he did not ask.
Is your father's doctor assuming the tumor is cancer? Is that why the doctor is sending him to an oncologist?
You can also have your father see an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist. This doctor specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the head and neck and also handles surgery.
Does your father need referrals to see specialists?
Good suggestions from all of you. I live too far away to be able to go with my father to the PCP. He apparently is trying to get in touch with the PCP but is getting the runaround. The PCP is on vacation and he has to wait until next week to get more information. He does not know who the oncologist is, apparently the PCP did not tell him and he did not ask.
Call the PCPs office and ask the nurse or medical assistant to check his chart and give you the name of the oncologist. Ask who is covering for his PCP too, and put in a call to that person and tell him of the situation and that your dad is suffering and needs some relief. This is not acceptable. I swear medical care (and I'm in healthcare) is insane. My mom has cancer and when she goes to the oncologist her wait is sometimes two hours. Terminal patient, sitting for hours, tired, in pain, who the f thinks this is ok? Argh I am so sorry you and your dad are going through this.
I would call the Oncologists office and tell them that your father is in a lot of pain and you are very worried about him and could you please make an appointment for him.
My father does need referrals to see the oncologist. He has yet to find out who his oncologist is. He called the PCP and found out he was on vacation but the office manager was shocked that he was not already seeing the oncologist. The scan they did on him revealed at least two tumors, but the PCP thought there were probably more due to the location of the pain and severity of it. This did not stop him from going on vacation and not getting the proper things done for my father. They are not sure if the tumors are cancer or not, so my father has to wait for a call or progress with paperwork to be completed. Total BS if you ask me. He has to just stay in pain and wonder when he will finally get a call from the oncologist's office to see when they can schedule an appointment.
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