
"Is it okay to bombard (or just call) your doctor to get info after the scans and before your next appointment, because you're going bonkers wanting to know? "

 <b>Be pro-active and avoid the post-scan battle for your report and films.</b>

Train your doctors. <b>Make sure that every written order for a scan includes instructions to the radiology department to "give the films and a copy of the Report to the Patient".</b> Get a copy of your doctor's written order to take with you when you go for the scan or X-ray. In many cases you will be able to pick up your copy of the report after waiting just a few hours or you may have to come back to pick it up the next morning.  <b>Depending upon the efficiency of the radiology department, your scans will have been read and typed within 1 to 24 hours after you returned to the waiting room.</b>

The reason they may not want to give you the report before you see your doctor is because they think you will be all upset, and it is better to have the doctor break the news to you.  This is known as Professional Ethics.  As the clerk who refuses you the information will tell you:  We Only Send Information To The Doctor Who Requested The Scan.

This is actually nonsense.  Read the AMA Patient's Bill of Rights.  Legally, the information on that report BELONGS to you.  

Furthermore, there is the point that the bad news reaction is maybe best dealt with at home, and having time to review the report before meeting with your doctor will allow you to prepare a list of questions to make better use of that appointment.

If your doctor <b>refuses</b> to instruct the radiologists to <b>"give the films and a copy of the Report to the Patient",</b> here are some other ways that might get your scan results quickly:

1. You can explain that you need the report results now, and are quite stable and can manage bad news.   Further, you would not like to lose the time waiting until the next oncologist's appointment, when you could be finding out about treatment and arranging it.

2. Put your GP's name and address down as one of the doctors to receive the faxed report, but put YOUR FAX number on the sheet.  [See below about getting free FAX service online.]

 3. Ask when the report will be ready, and where you can pick up your copy. Do not volunteer further information.  
If they refuse, tell them, in measured, pleasant, droning tones: "That is not acceptable.  I have a legal right to access to this information in a timely fashion, when will the report be ready, and where can I pick up my copy?"
If they refuse again, tell them again, in measured, pleasant, droning tones: "That is not acceptable.  I have a legal right to access to this information in a timely fashion, when will the report be ready, and where can I pick up my copy?"
	If they say they cannot get it for you, tell them, in measured, pleasant, droning tones: "Well, who can get it for me?  I have a legal right to access to this information in a timely fashion, when will the report be ready, and where can I pick up my copy?"
Speak slowly, distinctly, and in dulcet tones.
Repeated, this is called <b>"The Broken Record"</b> and is an assertiveness training technique guaranteed to keep you cool and drive them crazy, while getting you what you want. 

4. <b>General rules for dealing with refusals:</b>
 
a. <b>Be calm.</b>  But you may have to be very persistent -- quietly and politely obdurate.  Do not make a disturbance.  Do not nag.  

b. <b>Ask for a deadline</b> for results -- when you should get back to them if something doesn't happen.  Then if it doesn't happen, you are calling as per the agreement.  Following up.  Don't let them get away with forgetting about you.

c. <b>Have copies of your legal rights</b> or the bylaws or laws governing the situation.  A copy of the AMA patient's bill of rights, and/or your state's legal position on patient's rights to information, may be very helpful.

d. <b>ALWAYS get the person who is refusing ON YOUR SIDE.</b>  NOTICE them as people, not as automatons.  Assume that they REALLY want to help, but are bound by the rules.  Ask them what you need to do to get what you want.  REWARD them with gratitude. <b>The easiest way to get a person on your side is to simply assume that they are.  Working from that assumption usually gets you the furthest with the least friction.</b>

e. <b>Your oncologist is a valuable resource in getting your results more quickly.</b>  If you would prefer seeing him/her for the results, arrange for  appointments the day after the scans are scheduled, and have the radiology department notified that you must take the scans and report to the doctor yourself.



<b>How to get a Free Fax number online</b> 

Look up the services on the comprehensive list.  Most of them will provide you a free fax number and free RECEIVING of faxes.  Some of them have conditions.
 
Comprehensive &&url online
OR do a GOOGLE or other search engine search for FREE FAX

&&url is one site.

eFax Free is another. It is an easy-to-use service that lets you receive faxes by email.
look carefully for the free receiving of faxes, not the free TRIAL offer   
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