Get What You Pay for from Doctors

This morning's doctor column in the newspaper contained a request from a gentleman who had received his test reports from his doctor.

He asked the newspaper doctor to tell him what they meant. He wondered if he had a broken bone or ??

The newspaper doctor told him what the report said, but reminded him that he should have asked his doctor first - because of the time lag between him receiving a letter and the response being published.

That a person would have to ask for this information is outrageous. But if you are forced into that position, for heaven's sake do it! Call the doctor and insist on some of his or her time to explain the results to you.

You paid for that medical testing, and letting you know the results of the test is part of your doctor's job in treating you. No one should be presented with a print-out they don't understand and left on their own to interpret it.

Don't say you didn't pay - you did. One way or another, with cash, through insurance, or through paying income tax. At any rate, the doctor was paid for his or her services and thus should be responsible for providing those services.