Migraine

I'm working on phone calls... trying to find out about some of the neuros on my list and I've already run into a snag.

I was trying to find out how long the standard follow up appt was for a particular doctor was, and her receptionist just didn't understand the question. So I tried to explain that I was looking for a new doctor because mine wouldn't take the time to answer my questions... so she said, oh make sure you have them ready. I'm saying, yes I have them ready, but how long are you given? I want a time, a number. She says back to me, "Well, do you need counseling?" No, I just want to know if your standard appointment will allow for me to get all my questions answered, or if you will schedule long appointments if needed. I even gave her an example, I have three questions about medications, 2 triggers to talk about and 3 therapies that I'd want to discuss. She shrugged off the question and I gave up... how do you ask??

Hi Candace -

It sounds to me like you did the right stuff, and asked very clearly. My guess would be that either that receptionist doesn't like to say the length of the appointments (maybe she's uncomfortable saying - "you get 6.4 minutes" ) or the dr.'s office has a policy of not telling people. The only way to take that asking a step further and be very direct, I think, would be to say something like:

"I am trying to get important information so I can make a decision. I asked you a clear question about how long is allotted with the doctor at the initial appointment. Are you refusing to answer that question?"

My gut feeling would be, if they are not up front about that information, they probably don't give you much time!

- Megs

You were very, very detailed in your questions so I'm not real sure why she had such a problem answering you. I would think your first appointment would be longer than your follow ups so they can get a detailed background on you. Did other doctor's give you a problem or just that office?

Let us know how the seach goes, k?

Unfortunately, I think many doctors double book today. Yes, two appointments at the same time . That doesn't help you though, does it?

The receptionist may not be the person to ask. You could ask the office manager how long your initial consultation will be. The real indicator will be when you meet the doctor.

Here are some things to think about when meeting new doctors - Does he seem to listen to your concerns? Does he answer your questions? Is he willing to work together to formulate a treatment plan that works best for you?

Migraineur's Guide To a Successful Doctor's Appointmentis a wonderful resource.

Candace, you can also try asking how much time you should allow for your appointment. That may at least give you a general idea.

Candance sometimes when you start with a new doctor they like to go our their policies with calling in prescription refills, what to do when you need to call in off hours and weekends, what hospitals they prefer you go to if you have to go the ER etc, that would certainly be the time with the doctor to ask how long follow up appointments are.

Cindy

Well... a little background seems in order..... between this site and my wretched neuro I've come to the conclusion that I *must* get a new one. I feel that before I can ask my insurance to cover an out of network specialist like the ones on this site (or before I ask myself to travel) I should at least learn more about the people available to me.

So I started out thinking I have to find out who of the some 100 or so neuros on my insurance plan might be headache specialists. Since I find the idea that my current neuro ONLY schedules 10 minute appts, and doesn't ever go over 10 minutes, that's really important to me, to find someone who take the time to answer my questions, come up with game plans etc. I'm a HUGE question asker anyways, I'm always that way, in school, in relationships in every area. So I want to know how long my doctor will be willing to invest with me not so much in the initial consult, but much more importantly, after we first meet. I don't want to invest the time of referral and initial consult only to find out that they will be shuffling me in and out of their office each month. I really need a relationship with this specialist. They might not like that reality, but I am being honest with the fact that I'm high maintenance, especially in this area, especially right now.

The office manager is a good idea... I think I'll call back and see if I can get a hold of them... although I think you're probably right, Megs.... there's most likely a good reason I didn't get a straightforward answer.

Candace--

This is JUST a thought, I haven't tried doing it, but if I was looking for a new physician for my migraines, I would try to talk to his nurse. The good ones ALWAYS seem to have great staff. And the bad ones--man--the nurses are usually also are as bad or even worse. I once had an ok neurologist. I had to jump thru hoops to prove I had no interest in treating my migraines with pain meds (not only including him talking to my psychiatrist, but he sent me to an addiction specialist who told him it would be VERY difficult for me to get addicted to anything, I have such an aversion to narcotics). So I called begging for a preventive which he was not wanting me to have (as in any preventive), and the nurse says "We're NOT going to call you in any pain medication!" That was it--I fired that doctor!

Tracie

I don't know. My PCP will take the time with you but his nurse is Mrs. Cranky Pants. In person, on the phone, even when the kids said hi to her at the grocery store. Geez. All the other nurses in the office are nice.

Now maybe our previous doctor in that office (he had just retired a couple years ago and sadly just died 2 weeks ago) was a bubbly, happy guy and while he did kind of "rush" us, his "happy" personality rubbed off on the nurses? This new doc is more thoughtful but more "serious", certainly nice enough, but maybe not overly joking and playful, so his nurse just needs a shot of happy juice. But they have an open connecting room between hallways for the nurses and all the other ones seem very nice (we've seen most of the docs in the family practice with the kids over 8 years).

So I guess I'm saying you can't always judge a doctor by his nurse. Prime example: last year I didn't have those silly medication papers for school at their checkup in July. So I try to fax them AND the school tries to fax them to the doctors office. The nurse is a royal pain - ignores my faxes from work, claims the school didn't send them (twice), snippity on the phone, etc. Yet when I bring the papers and my son for a useless appointment, the doctor asks why I didn't fax them? GGGRRRR!!!!

Tucker-- Just a few thoughts here... I've run into similar problems in my PCPs office. One is the persistent caller, I call and let them know that I'm about to fax something... I fax it, wait 20 minutes and then call back to make sure they got it... generally they always find it, because they know there's no way they're gonna get away from me otherwise!

Something else I discovered was a friend of mine (who barely ever sees his doctor!) sent flowers to his referrals lady... she called him up the next day crying she was so overwhelmed with gratitude! Medical professionals are seriously overworked nowadays.. despite my gripes, I'll admit that with ease! So a little gratitude can go a long way in getting someone on your side... especially if you plan to frequent their office!

The flower thing is a fabulous idea! There's a Nurses Day sometime, and this week is Administrative Professionals Week. It used to be Secretary's Day. A simple rose in a vase isn't much compared to the result it brings. Who doesn't like getting flowers?

Gretchen in Mississippi

I don't think they could answer the question, How long is the appointment? at my neurologist's office. If they did answer, it would be something like, "As long as it takes for what you need to discuss." I have never felt in the least rushed, whether in the office or on the phone, but it does seem her appointments are always running behind! She doesn't waste time, she is all business, but there is absolutely no rush.

I understand how important this issue is to you. I like MJ's idea of asking how long you should allow for the appointment. If the doctor is often running behind, that's probably a good sign! Also, I think the fact the receptionist asked whether you had "special" needs was an indication the office recognized that some appointments might take longer than others.

I checked out my neurologist on the internet to find out the focus of her practice. The hospital where the doctor practices may have a web site containing info about their doctors. I think that's where I found the info about my neurologist, and in the section called "Areas of practice," I was very pleased to see "migraine" at the top of the list. The American Medical Association web site also has a data base where you can check out some background of almost any licensed physician, although there may not be as much detail. And some info may be available on the web site of your insurance.

Nutcracker, my current neuro sounded great on his website--fantastic even, at least to my eyes (Teri had some comments to make on his definitions, but I wouldn't have noticed any of those things)... I also ended up asking my PCP about the office I mentioned in my original post above... who he said "isn't good".

On the up side I'm excited to now have an appt with a neuro who my PCP seems to think highly of, so hopefully they end up being the answer for me. I agree, running behind is probably a good sign! It means that they value being a doctor over being on time. I wait forever for my PCP, but it's worth it because I know he won't leave my appt until I'm done asking all my questions.

I don't feel like asking "How long should I allot for my appointment" works though, and for this reason. I find that an office will tell you to get there 20 minutes early, even when they know that they'll be running 30 minutes late... which maybe they still need to do, but my neuro who won't give me any extra time still told me to come in early... and his assistant was hinting that that was a way I could extra time with him--and it isn't because he's not a doctor who is willing to give out extra time. I think they should answer the question though... I'm paying customer, I want to know what I'm paying for! When I pay for a massage I get to know.. what's the big difference when it's a doctor?

My neuro is the same way, Nut! The last time I went in she was almost an hour and a half behind! But, the reason why it doesn't make me mad is because she spends as much time as she needs with me, so I am sure that is what she does with every patient.

Btw, I have to agree with Tracie about the office staff. For me, it isn't so much about the nurses, but about the staff in general. My neuro's office staff is patient and helpful and organized! They take care of everything without my having to stay on top of them and hound them, and when dealing with an HMO plan that is really important.

If your going to be dealing w/ that office and they can't answer a simple question like how much time your blocked out for, what is going to happen when you have to coordinate with them and your other docs, or your insurance?

Just seems like a fiasco waiting to happen....

quote:

Originally posted by nutcrackerHOST:
I don't think they could answer the question, How long is the appointment? at my neurologist's office. If they did answer, it would be something like, "As long as it takes for what you need to discuss." I have never felt in the least rushed, whether in the office or on the phone, but it does seem her appointments are always running behind! She doesn't waste time, she is all business, but there is absolutely no rush.

I think I might have mentioned above that when I asked my PCP about the neuro who's office I had called... he said "she's not good"... so I don't know how much time she actually gives her patients, or how nice her staff is... but I do know I won't even be trying to find out!

I've talked to the staff at the new office once so far, and they did seem nice. I'll admit I'm willing to put up with a lot from staff if the doctor is good! I agree, having an HMO... it would be HUGE if the staff actually did their job... and well!! However, I've made peace with not getting everything I want when it comes to my PCP at least, because I love him so much, his staff may leave something to be desired... but I'm figuring out ways to deal with that.

I can't wait to let you guys know how the new doctor turns out! yay!

Now, I'm still feeling nervous for some reason about requesting records.. if I ask for records to be sent to my PCP, I feel like they might not send EVERYTHING... how do I make sure they do? If I ask for things to be sent to the new doctor I'm afraid if I need anything from them between now then I won't get much help... ??