General Medical issues thread

[Quickstatus]

Even the government run public hospital health system e-records cant properly link into myHR.

 

[whatmeworry]

Strange my past GP's just take the important results down and diagnoses and give the printout. If you use the same pathology lab, they usually list your last couple of results anyway.

 

[rogerkambah]

I just asked my GP to include 'patient' in the ' Copy to' section on the referral. He was reluctant at first but has now complied.

He was also reluctant to give me a referral for some other fix up surgery which the oncologist had asked him to do by letter -said he hadn't received such a request, but I had asked the oncologist to request that and I had seen the letter.

GP was reluctant to give referral while I am on pazopanib due to possible problems with wound healing. Mentioned a problem he had with a patient who was on methotrexate, which I mentioned was a very different and cruder drug. Also reiterated that the onco had said all would be ok if I went off pazopanib for a week before and following operation. I must say that I haven't noticed any increased healing time for the odd cuts and scrapes incurred in sustaining everyday life.

 

[Cynicor]

Casanovawa- 1. because adding anything else to the form is illegal and fraud, and phelbs have no medical training or understanding to determine if someone should get a copy.
2. Results need to be interpreted properly, so I would want to ensure patient understanding first, and determine if them being sent the results directly is better than coming in to get a copy.
Personally, if you go to a BB gp, you get what you pay for. It's not really possible to be a decent GP on bulk billing (in my opinion).
At the end of the day, i generally offer results to my patients anyway, but it's in how it is done that is important. I dont want someone getting a test, googling a bizarre answer and going off half-coughed!

 

[cove]

The reason I get the copy of my blood tests is to see that the ones that were in red last time are trending in the right direction. I always talk to my GP about the results and once a year with my cardiologist.
I have found exercise and weight loss to be helpful along with prescription medication.

 

[Pushka]

Strange my past GP's just take the important results down and diagnoses and give the printout. If you use the same pathology lab, they usually list your last couple of results anyway.

Yes that’s true. But as I posted earlier, one of our Govt labs had their PSA titration wrong and post prostate surgery patients were effectively told they were looking at mortality. Just 12 months ago. There is now a class action once the error was found. Going to different labs occasionally is not a bad idea when monitoring chronic issues.

 

[JohnK]

GGT, ALT, AST slightly elevated from yesterday's blood test. Fatty liver from recent weight gain? Asked to do liver ultrasound and will do next week.

 

[Milboo]

The 2 different doctors I see always prints my results out (and they have the last 2 results on there too) and goes through each of them with me and leaves me with the print outs.

Bulk billing both of them.

 

[JohnK]

Presumed cirrhotic!

They are not words I'd like to see on an ultrasound referral.

 

[Pushka]

GGT, ALT, AST slightly elevated from yesterday's blood test. Fatty liver from recent weight gain? Asked to do liver ultrasound and will do next week.

I think they’d be really raised if there was an issue not just slightly. Can also be transitory infection.

 

[drron]

Met my match today.Little old lady comes in and asks what is her blood pressure today.The nurse does it before patient comes in.
I say 125/75.
She says that's terrible.I say no it is perfect.
But doctor my blood pressure is always 118/72.
But it changes from minute to minute.
But mine is always the same.

So we proceed to the consultation and make a plan for treatment.
As she leaves she says-You are a hopeless doctor for not finding out why my blood pressure is different today.
Cant win them all.

 

[Quickstatus]

GGT, ALT, AST slightly elevated from yesterday's blood test. Fatty liver from recent weight gain? Asked to do liver ultrasound and will do next week.

recent alcohol intake?

 

[JohnK]

recent alcohol intake?

Alcohol consumption in Thailand from 26 September until 04 October. No alcohol since.

Blood test on 09 October which should be more than enough recovery time for liver?

 

[drron]

John you probably have the commonest form of chronic liver disease-fatty liver.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease - Symptoms and causes

Because of increasing obesity rates a lot of liver docs think that this will become the most common cause of cirrhosis and primary liver cancer.

 

[JohnK]

John you probably have the commonest form of chronic liver disease-fatty liver.

I do have fatty liver. It was diagnosed many years ago when GGT, ALT, AST were always above the recommended level.

I have had high liver function for a long time. Back in mid 80's from memory. I guess it was made worse with long term use of methotrexate but have been off that for a few years. This clinic wanted me to do a liver biopsy which I refused to do.

 

[RooFlyer]

Casanovawa- 1. because adding anything else to the form is illegal and fraud, and phelbs have no medical training or understanding to determine if someone should get a copy.
2. Results need to be interpreted properly, so I would want to ensure patient understanding first, and determine if them being sent the results directly is better than coming in to get a copy.
Personally, if you go to a BB gp, you get what you pay for. It's not really possible to be a decent GP on bulk billing (in my opinion).
At the end of the day, i generally offer results to my patients anyway, but it's in how it is done that is important. I dont want someone getting a test, googling a bizarre answer and going off half-coughed!

Really interesting ... thanks.

I started getting regular blood tests maybe 15 years ago in response to hemochromatosis venesections, and over time there's been tests added relevant to diabetes type II and general 'fat and 50' type conditions. Yeah, I know ...

My non bulk billing GP has always been happy to discuss my currently 6 months results with me, and to provide copies of the results if I ask for them (I do). In fact I used to plot them up and discuss the trends with my GP from time to time!! (He's very tolerant.) I regard some of the results that come out in red as a challenge for next time ...

I appreciate one gets all sorts in a GP practice, but I'd be really annoyed if any doctor said something like "No, you don't need to know, you wouldn't understand".

 

[Quickstatus]

The pathology tests done in hospital here requires a request into the electronic MR system. However when the blood or specimen is collected/obtained a signed printout of the electronic request needs to be made to accompany the specimen.

In the past the specimen just needed an accompanying form. Now it’s a multistep involving a login to the eMR, request in eMR, sign in eMR , printout the request often at a remote printer, attach request to specimen.

Also no way of sending a copy to the family GP because they are not recognised in the eMR and can’t put it in the printout either

 

[Pushka]

The pathology tests done in hospital here requires a request into the electronic MR system. However when the blood or specimen is collected/obtained a signed printout of the electronic request needs to be made to accompany the specimen.

In the past the specimen just needed an accompanying form. Now it’s a multistep involving a login to the eMR, request in eMR, sign in eMR , printout the request often at a remote printer, attach request to specimen.

Also no way of sending a copy to the family GP because they are not recognised in the eMR and can’t put it in the printout either

Gotta love progress. Built in inefficiency. Enhance the product until it’s no longer useful. They did that with the Palm Pilot and software we used to enjoy. Windows is heading the same way.

 

[cove]

Do you all realise that after your morning blood test your chocolate consumption and more does not register if you eat stuff later in the day?

 

[k_sheep]

Regarding pathology results, you are legally entitled to them. Pathology companies should release them to you, however they often will wait until you have had time to discuss with the referring doctor (for example, you have a biopsy that shows an aggressive malignancy - they do not want to give you those results until you have been given the diagnosis in person).

"The College acknowledges that a patient is legally entitled to a pathology report that has been performed for or on their behalf."
https://www.rcpa.edu.au/getattachme...Release-of-Pathology-Results-to-Patients.aspx

Now if only patients would stop requesting we give them back their gallstones, or their placenta. It's a major pain in the butt, and really a health risk.