UltimateZo OP t1_iu2moxa wrote on October 28, 2022 at 2:23 AM

Reply to comment by No-Sheepherder-6257 in Boston Healthcare System Total Garbage? by UltimateZo

How do I create a relationship with a PCP if I can't get a PCP?

jtet93 t1_iu2prp5 wrote on October 28, 2022 at 2:47 AM

When you move to a new city… you need to establish care with a PCP RIGHT AWAY. Like you’d change your address with your bank, update your car’s registration etc… you needed to immediately establish care with a PCP. A lot of people don’t know this. I’m not saying it’s necessarily your fault. But you waited for a serious medical event to establish care with any provider. A wait is to be expected. Lessons learned.

UltimateZo OP t1_iu2r2a7 wrote on October 28, 2022 at 2:57 AM

I agree 100%. I learned that lesson and won't make it again. I just think that beyond establishing the PCP, seeing a specialist seems to still be an unreasonable wait time. People don't pre-emptively see specialists, its usually in response to something happening.

ACL Tear? Orthopedics.

Eye issue? Ophthalmology.

Migraine? Neurology.

But when the wait times are 3-6 months, how do you deal with that? You just live with a torn ACL until they can get you into an appointment and surgery?

Seems nuts to me.

jtet93 t1_iu2y1rt wrote on October 28, 2022 at 3:58 AM

Now that you’ve seen a provider, I will say it’s a good sign that they’re not referring you with any urgency. During Covid I worked in an hematology-oncology clinic answering phones and trust me, if anything serious was suspected (like cancer, or a risky blood condition in pregnancy) we would make room ASAP for those appointments. We would FIND room.

If you’re feeling that your symptoms are unmanageable or if there’s something that your provider isn’t addressing, I would urge you to be more communicative. What you’re dealing with is an expected wait for a non-urgent issue. If there are urgent symptoms you might need to be loud about them. I wish you the best and hope you get well soon!

UltimateZo OP t1_iu34uki wrote on October 28, 2022 at 5:08 AM

My PCP is remote in Amherst, MA, but I would say she was pretty vocal about getting an appointment right away. Maybe she was under the impression that would be sooner than the timeframes quoted.

The risk is a potential prolactinoma - a tumor. I was vocal about this when attempting to schedule, but it was all the same. No urgency, no sympathy. Just the normal quotes timeframes.

Potential brain tumor has nothing on me!

jtet93 t1_iu3yggr wrote on October 28, 2022 at 11:37 AM

Well, there’s another issue. You’re using a PCP who likely has a limited relationship with these hospitals you’re trying to see a specialist at. You need to call the PCPs office and ask them if they can move things along. If there is a concern for a tumor they should be able to get in touch with the specialist’s office and get you in earlier.