1. I've never had cancer but yes this. 👇
I have MS so I've had a lot of MRIs over the years. Previously my hospitals would embargo the radiologist's report for 7 days so I couldn't access it online, during which time, no one would contact me with the results.
I have MS so I've had a lot of MRIs over the years. Previously my hospitals would embargo the radiologist's report for 7 days so I couldn't access it online, during which time, no one would contact me with the results.
https://twitter.com/ScottGreenfield/status/1410968984292409345
2. MRI reports are usually written within 24 hours of scan.
In order to get a copy of my MRI report(s), I could drive to the hospital and go in person to the film library to have them burn me a CD and give me a copy of the report.
In order to get a copy of my MRI report(s), I could drive to the hospital and go in person to the film library to have them burn me a CD and give me a copy of the report.
3. Eventually my PCP's office will send me an official letter online and sometimes my neurologists will call or message me to tell me the results but this has always longer than 24-48 hours after.
4. Same is true for other medical tests I've had beyond labs although in some cases I've even had lab results not be available to me online.
5. Of course sometimes I misunderstand or can't understand reports and don't get a clear answer until my follow up with my specialist which is sometimes months later. My lack of comprehension is not great but I would rather have the reports than not have them.
6. Is it great that the patient was notified they had cancer by an automated message while they were home alone? Depends on the patient.
7. I'd rather get an automated alert with bad medical news ASAP even if I'm alone than have to wait to be on the phone with my doctor or in their office to get results. 🤷🏻♀️
Perhaps this is something that patients could opt out of in the future if they want a human notification.
Perhaps this is something that patients could opt out of in the future if they want a human notification.
8. Is this impersonal and inhumane? For some, yes. But it's also arguable that it's inhumane to make a patient wait for bad news because the doctor is busy seeing other patients and doesn't have time in their schedule to make these kinds of calls until the end of the day.
9. For those who aren’t aware, Dr. Maykel’s tweet refers to this recent change in US federal law that went into effect on 4/5/21. It requires healthcare providers to give us full access to our records online for free and ASAP.
https://twitter.com/keikoinboston/status/1392641948939427850
10. As more healthcare providers have set up patient portals we have had access to some records online but not all. In order to obtain records, providers are legally permitted to charge to produce records (sometimes exorbitant amounts if you need many years of records).
11. As I noticed upthread, some test results would be embargoed for some length of time before we could access them. The new law seems to remove those barriers.
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