Radiology School
Why Would A Doctor Not Reveal The Results Of A Cat Scan Over The Phone? Instead, He Has An Appt. Sunday At 8am?

My mother has a large lump on her neck so she went in to see the doctor about it. He had her do a CAT scan on Tues. so when my mom called on Wed. to ask about the results, He told her that He would discuss her results Sunday at 8:00 am. Would this mean He needs to talk face to face about a serious issue? Why couldnt He just tell her the results over the phone?


earwaxyn said,
in February 9th, 2010 at 11:36 pm

They generally don’t give results over the phone – good or bad. For one thing it’s a privacy issue; who knows if other people are around that she may not want to see her reaction. Also, speaking in person allows the doctor to gauge reactions, provide further information if needed, the patient to ask questions…overall, just better in person regardless of the results.

happydaw said,
in February 9th, 2010 at 11:40 pm

They do not give test results, as a general rule, over the phone. Also, if he gets her into the office, he can charge for another office visit. A big lump in the neck will require more than just a CT scan. She will probably have a biopsy and further treatment discussion will occur in the office. She will need to know if it is suspicious for malignancy, if its obstructing her airway, or about to. If its close to her neck vessels being her carotid arteries or jugular veins. Treatment could include antibiotics or even more CT scans to look above and below the diaphragm.
Lumps in the neck are suspicious for lymphoma.

Joe D said,
in February 10th, 2010 at 12:03 am

I don’t agree that its confidentiality or office charges. Doctors are overworked and definitely would not schedule an appt on a Sunday unless they wanted to discuss something. I personally know doctors that have communicated scan results ot me over the phone. It depends on the dr. and the situation. I do not also think there is anything wrong with calling the office again and asking them to provide you a topline results over the phone- i.e. everything is fine or there is a problem. so you are properly prepared. Hang in there. The waiting is terrible.

Andee said,
in February 10th, 2010 at 12:59 am

I think any large lump on the neck would be a serious situation. He probably wants her to come in so he can discuss the results plus possible treatments. Your mom is most certain to have questions so he needs to have adequate time to answer them. He may not have had the time to discuss all of it on the phone so he is making time with an appointment.

ThinKabo said,
in February 10th, 2010 at 1:43 am

Because close to 100% of phone calls (even landline to landline) now travel at least part of the way by cell service, and the equipment to intercept and listen to cell service calls costs about $20.
The doctor would be breaching confidentiality laws if he discussed it on the phone…

iceman said,
in February 10th, 2010 at 2:04 am

Thats normal.
He may want to discuss furthur testing with her in person also. A CAT is not a 100% sure test. Depending on how large the lump is, the doc may want to biposy it just to be safe.

twix21 said,
in February 10th, 2010 at 2:41 am

The first reason is it more money for them if she comes in, second its more personal to see her face to face. I hope every thing works out well for your mom.

xena said,
in February 10th, 2010 at 3:18 am

confidentiality reasons. he cant talk about medical information over the phone.

margy said,
in February 10th, 2010 at 3:34 am

I worked at a drs office – we did not give results over the phone (and would get really frustrated with patients who thought they could – and they all were told they needed to return for results)

Kazim said,
in February 10th, 2010 at 4:20 am

there may be an seriuos problm u r rite they wana talk face to face.athre is nothing else 1

AKA Inverse Mushroom Cloud said,
in February 10th, 2010 at 5:18 am

To the responders who think they don’t give results over the phone … whatever.
I have received all the results of all the tests I have had over the phone. There is no privacy issue.
This includes a diagnosis of breast cancer, all the way to “your bloodwork looks fine.”
However, if it were me in the OP’s situation, I would be concerned that it may be serious. However, unless they did a biopsy, the best you’ll get out of a CT on a neck lump is that it looks highly suspicious and they want to do a biopsy.

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