Have you ever heard of such a thing???

[Heavenly]

I don't have a family doctor because the area I live in has none available so I go to a walk-in clinic. I have a lot of health problems and I go there quite regularly so I always go to the same doctor and she knows me quite well. I am supposed to be getting a referral to a rheumatologist and the doctor requested one at a specific hospital. First I get a phone call from a doctor not even from that hospital and when I called the clinic the nurse said they couldn't find a number for the right one so they just picked someone else. Um, no. The doctor picked the first one because my case is complicated and she wants someone rated top notch. So they say they will try again to get me a referral to the right hospital. I just called today to inquire on the status of that referral and the nurse says, oh did I forget to call you? Well the number we found, that doctor isn't taking patients anymore. I told them there is a whole rheumatology clinic there and there is more than one doctor. They said their rule is that they have to send it to a doctor, not a clinic so - get this - she asked ME to go on the internet and search to find a doctor and a fax number and then she will send the referral!!! Are you kidding me???? Like I have the time on my hands to do this! Why in the world should I have to search for them - isn't that there job?? It's just insane! And I've been looking, I can't find contact info for the specific doctors, just the main line - which is where there website says the doctors are to call to refer patients - but the nurse at the clinic says they can't use that number! I am really pissed off and feel like it is completely unacceptable for them to ask me to do their job for them. And like I said, I can't find the contact info - so now what am I supposed to do???

[AFWife]

I agree that it's wrong for them to ask YOU to do THEIR job. However, does it happen frequently? Yes.

If you can, make another appt and refuse to leave without the referral. I'm willing to bet that the doctor has no idea that the nurses are giving you this kind of run around.

[leafwood]

i am so sorry that you are not feeling well and struggling to get the care you need. that being said, i expect to have to advocate for myself and my children with regard to medical care. clinic, private dr., hospital, etc., i typically follow-up and do a lot of leg work. to some extent it is b/c i worked in healthcare through high school/college and saw how the system operated. often times everyone is trying to manage so many things that it cannot be done efficiently and the quality of care suffers. i just went through 2 years trying to get a dx for my son and it was found b/c i was relentless not b/c any of the drs we saw had their act together.

i hope you find the care you need. if i were you i would call the main number to the place you are trying to get referred and speak with them. that may give you some idea of how to proceed.