In the medical world it is sometimes a little tricky to navigate the system when it comes to appointments. Each city and each office has its own way of doing things.
For instance, if you are getting X-Rays or even Bone Scans as an outpatient, you often have to call to book an appointment or just show up as a walk-in. Sometimes your doctor's office will call and book imaging appointments and then call you to let you know, sometimes you just hear from the radiology department itself, and sometimes you pick up the results, or the results go to your doctor or specialist.
Then, some offices will call YOU for a follow-up appointment, but sometimes you have to call THEM to make the follow-up appointment. Sometimes your doctor's office will fax them the requisition form and you won't have to bring one in, but sometimes they give YOU the requisition form and you cannot show up to radiology without it.
There are offices that will fill basic prescriptions over the phone (or even online now), and some offices that will ONLY write prescriptions in the office. And if you have different prescriptions from various specialists, then it gets even trickier. Once your refills are out, do you go back to see the specialist or do you refill that prescription from your family doctor?
You are supposed to be monitored at least once a year by all active specialists, but sometimes things happen. Technically I am *supposed* to be seen by an Internist at regular intervals (around every 3-6 months), but that never usually happens. Again, this is when communications lapse. If the office is the one who has to contact you, then you are kind of just sitting and waiting for a letter or a phone call. On the other hand, if you call them to make the appointment, that sometimes pisses them off... because patients are not allowed to book the appointments, it has to come from the doctor... and it is different for every office! I even had a specialist at one clinic where you absolutely COULD NOT book an appointment in person - it HAD to be booked over the phone. Even if the receptionist is the exact same person running both the front desk and the booking office.
And how about the large offices that have several different phone numbers? I can never remember offhand - especially since those numbers keep changing!! You have one number for the nurse if you are really struggling and need immediate advice from the nurse or your doctor. You have the number for a booking clerk to book general appointments. You have a separate booking clerk to book a yearly exam (like a scope). Then there is the receptionist. The emergency line. The number to cancel an appointment (which is sometimes different from the number to book an appointment). Then there is the one number you have to go through before even getting to a receptionist. To be honest I am not even sure what exactly that number is for. The lady is always really kind, she verifies my name and details, then passes me off - but then the next person has not been told of who is calling so I verify my name and details again, and then get passed off either to a nurse or a booking clerk.
How confusing!?!?
So these are the circumstances where being an advocate for yourself is crucial.
I got lucky today.
I had a bunch of imaging done for a new rheumatologist over the past few months, and I knew that I should be notified of a follow-up appointment. I could not remember (not surprisingly) if they were supposed to call me or if I was supposed to call them. So I gave them a quick call.
This can be nerve-racking. It seems trivial but I always get nervous - because if I am NOT supposed to be calling then I get an uber-irritated receptionist or booking clerk on the other line giving me grief and condescendingly explaining that I "will get a phone call". And if you piss them off too much, they have the power to push your appointment back, and back, and reschedule you, and make it even harder for you to get in to see someone.
Today, however, was a lucky day. She wasn't positive if I was supposed to be calling or not either and was chipper and friendly... and there happened to be a last minute cancelation! So instead of waiting 2+ months, I have an appointment on Monday!!
Sometimes it is just a matter of asking the question at the right time!