So, during the pandemic my family doctor, who is American, went back to her country, leaving me without a medical professional.
When the pandemic ended, I went in search of a new family doctor in my city in British Columbia. However I couldn’t find one. I did find a nurse practitioner who can do most of what a doctor can do, including prescriptions.
In October, 2022, she asked me to do a standard physical at Life Labs so I did. She called me on the phone later to say everything was fine.
However, 8 months later, in June, I was called by an outpatient medical clinic asking me to come in for an EKG. Confused, I asked why. And they said it was triggered by my visit to LifeLabs and requested by my primary care provider.
I went for the EKG, which ended up being an ultrasound. That was June 27.
Then I waited. And waited. And waited. Nothing.
I finally called my NP and asked why I haven’t heard back on what the results were and the receptionist said it’s standard practice to only contact patients if follow-up is necessary. But I felt like something must have triggered the follow-up EKG/ultrasound so I wish I’d been told what that was and why I visited the hospital for it.
However, the tone of the receptionist made me think it’s the normal way and I’m just being entitled.
Generally yes they will only call you if there is something wrong. Family docs / NPs have too many patients and tests to call everyone with normal results in most cases. A few things are weird about your case though.
- 8 months for a follow up test
- not telling you why you needed it
- not scheduling a follow up
While I’m sure stuff like this happens often, ideally it isn’t supposed to. You should call your NP and schedule a follow up yourself.
I’d say that’s the case in my experience anyways. No news is good news.
When I had a family doctor he was making sure to tell the results over a follow-up appointment, good or bad, I really liked his empathy. I wish this was the standard…
Yup, Canadian healthcare is a disaster, only second to the US system.
Facts put Canada as 5th best in the world, behind Sweden, Denmark and some of those neighbors.
5th. I know! Bizarre! I had occasion to look it up when my swedish friends were complaining about their healthcare (3rd best globally).
We’re not second only to America, but there’s a massive difference. We’re not awesome and we need to get better, but our system could be so, so much worse. We lost a lot of doctors during COVID, and I don’t blame them because we couldn’t do the bare minimum as a society, but it’s going to be a long while before staffing levels are back up.
You say that like politicians are doing anything to bring staffing levels back up.
This is what every doctor I’ve seen (in multiple provinces) has done for decades.
They used to tell me they’d only call if there were issues, but most don’t say anything anymore because it’s common practice.
Yes, looks like a standard practice in QC too. You can pass all kind of tests and… hear nothing…
