A new cardiologist?

[liza]

Hey guys!

I'm just looking for some advice. I'm coming up to my one year anniversary from my OHS, yay! I didn't schedule my one year check-up at my six-month check-up because I wasn't sure what my schedule would be like during my clinical rotations. Well, I'm in my 2nd day of my rotations and I have a better idea, so I went ahead and called to schedule an appointment for the end of May.

I called today and the lady said he didn't have an opening until August 16!!! I know I'm not an emergency, but that's almost five months away!

Now I'm not sure what to do. He's the only guy I worked with (besides my cardiac surgeon) since I found out anything was wrong with my heart last year.I like this guy, and I know he's busy with teaching and working with Children's Hospital. But should I find a new cardiologist? I don't know what would be the proper thing to do. I don't expect him to drop everything to attend to me or anything, but man....I kinda like my heart and just want to make sure everything is okay, especially since I'm only a year out from my surgery and I had a few complications afterwards.

What would you guys do? Or is this kind of thing common??? I appreciate any and all advice!!

 

[Ross]

If you like the guy and trust him, ride it out. I'm sure even if you look for another, the waiting period will be similiar. I may get bent out of shape if I called with CHF and he couldn't see me right away, but for general check ups, I think your going to be fine.

 

[geebee]

Ask to be put on a waiting list for cancellations if your schedule is flexbile. If he is that good, he is worth waiting for. It is definitely a long time but it obviously says something about him.

 

[RCB]

Yeah, what he said! and she

 

[Granbonny]

Most Cardiologist want an echo done at 1 year post-Op.. I would be worried that I had to wait an extra 5 months before I saw him (Cardio) again.....I'm surprised that the appointment nurse did not tell you this?(Echo)at 1 year post-op.....My group of Cardio's has grown by leaps and bounds in past 4 years.From..3 to 14 now. Once, you find a good one. NEVER ..take a chance that you may have to wait to see him/her again..Always schedule an appointment..then you can cancel..( If you have a really good excuse, they will re-schedule you.)after all, I have had them call me to reschedule.Just don't disappear off their computers. I went to my Cardio every 6 months for 4 years.( yes, the 6 month one was a five minute ..hello)then the yearly echo..and a little longer appointment after echo. Now, he does not take new patients. Just see his older patients.(head of our new Cardio heart hospital).....Newbies go to new younger Cardios...Bonnie

 

[Christian]

We always have to make Jill's appointments at the Cleveland Clinic about three months in advance. So four months probably isn't crazy.

I wouldn't worry about it unless you really need the reassurance of a happy echo report.

Hey guys!

I'm just looking for some advice. I'm coming up to my one year anniversary from my OHS, yay! I didn't schedule my one year check-up at my six-month check-up because I wasn't sure what my schedule would be like during my clinical rotations. Well, I'm in my 2nd day of my rotations and I have a better idea, so I went ahead and called to schedule an appointment for the end of May.

I called today and the lady said he didn't have an opening until August 16!!! I know I'm not an emergency, but that's almost five months away!

Now I'm not sure what to do. He's the only guy I worked with (besides my cardiac surgeon) since I found out anything was wrong with my heart last year.I like this guy, and I know he's busy with teaching and working with Children's Hospital. But should I find a new cardiologist? I don't know what would be the proper thing to do. I don't expect him to drop everything to attend to me or anything, but man....I kinda like my heart and just want to make sure everything is okay, especially since I'm only a year out from my surgery and I had a few complications afterwards.

What would you guys do? Or is this kind of thing common??? I appreciate any and all advice!!

 

[JimL]

I wouldn't dump a cardiologist for that reason, although there are other reasons for dumping one to find another. If you like him, stick with him.

I think the echo is an important consideration. There probably is no reason to see the card first, then have him order an echo, and then see him again to discuss the echo. Can you schedule an echo before the August 16th appointment? The technicians I've had for echos have always told me some results of the echo, like the EF; I feel reassured by them before I ever talk to the cardiologist.

 

[liza]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

The appointment is for an echo followed by a consultation, so I don't know if that is part of the problem. I don't really want to "dump" him...I was just wondering if now that I don't have as many problems if I should see a younger/less-in-demand cardiologist. I guess I was so lucky to get a great guy on my first try. He's on the 2005 list of Best Doctors, so I wonder if that increased business for him too.

I've thought more about it and I'm going to try to call his personal secretary tomorrow and she what she thinks. I've dealt with her before and she was very nice and accomodating. The lady today was pretty rude and must have been one of the generic scheduling ladies. If his secretary doesn't have any ideas, I might try e-mailing him to see what he thinks.

I hadn't thought of the above until recently. I just went ahead and posted right away because I was so shocked. Everything up until now has been urgent regarding my heart and I was usually seen within a week or so of calling. So maybe I should be lucky that it's not an emergency situation. I just would like the peace of mind of knowing everything is okay!

Anyhow, thanks again. I'll let ya'll know what I find out.

Liza

 

[Praline]

liza,

liza,

I really do not have any advice about if you can wait and do not know how things are set up at your cardiologist's office. But if that happened here with my cardiologist, I would call his office towards the end of the day and ask to speak with his nurse.If the person answering the phone asked what about , I would just say that I have a question about an echo that I am supposed to have. I would ask them to have the nurse call me if she is too busy right then. My cardiologist's nurse has a voice message if she is busy. Then I could leave a message" Question about echo" only.
When I get the nurse on the phone, I would explain the problem and ask her to please discuss it with the cardiologist to see what he says and if it is safe to wait then get back to you. Here , his nurse would do that.

 

[maka]

Four months is not unsual for a good doctor on demand. Ask the secretary to call you if they have any cancellations...most of the times it works for me. Then, if you want to see him in a 6-month intervals, try to make the next appointment the day you see the doctor. That's what I do with mine---the same day I have my appointments I make the next one. You can always cancel and re-schedule if needed

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Doesn't your chart have a note to the effect that you should have annual echo's? (Actually, I'm surprised he didn't schedule you for 6 months for the first followup, especially since you had 'complications'.)

By all means, contact either his Nurse or Personal Secretary and 'remind them' that it's time for your annual echo / Valve Replacement follow-up appointment and would like to get it scheduled ASAP. Hopefully they can and will accomodate you.

Alternatively, you could ask your PCP or Surgeon who they would recommend as an alternative.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[tantekay]

Liza,

Liza,

I ran into a similar problem recently -- but mine was just for med refill -- needed a yearly check-up to get the script refilled -- I was totally out of refills and when I called -- generic scheduleing person said they could get me in something like 3 months out. I just said never mind, hung up and called back and asked to speak with one of his nurses. I explained the situation and she go me an appointment for like 2 or 3 days away. So I definately think the secretary route is the way to go -- just explaint the situation and I would like to think that they could certainly get you in by May. Good luck and hang in there.