Medical oncologist vs Radiation oncologist

[depotdoug]

Perplexing question or on my mind ?

Tuesday 20th if/when I ask my MedOnc Doctor all my concerns will he know my Radiation past and Present treatments??

In other words are Oncologist(s) all inclusive in all PCa treatments?

Doug

[NPfisherman]

Your team should be in touch so the radiation oncologist should keep your medical oncologist informed. The system sometimes doesn't work though....Hope your appointment goes well....

Don Pescado

[depotdoug in reply to NPfisherman]

Thanks NP fisherman,

Bring on next Tuesday 15:30 appointment. I'm ready for action.

[NPfisherman in reply to depotdoug]

Wish I were that pumped up for my next appointment...Best of luck, always...

Don Pescado

[j-o-h-n in reply to NPfisherman]

I can lend you Dolly's bike pump if you need it (and no, not my lips)...

youtube.com/watch?v=7nqcgUD...(Not working as expected?)

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 08/16/2019 6:22 PM DST

[AlanMeyer]

In addition to what NPfisherman said, I suggest you ask this question directly of your med onc. For example: Have you and the rad onc spoken about my case? Do you see each other's case notes?

Unfortunately, doctors tend to be overworked and I suspect many of them do not know or talk to each other, or do anything else about our cases when we're not in the room with them. When you've got a steady stream of patients walking into your office between 9am and 6pm, with maybe just two minutes between them, most of which is used to write up your notes for the past visit, and part of your evenings are spent reading medical journals, there just isn't time left over for calling other doctors or reading other reports.

At least that's my impression.

Alan

[chascri in reply to AlanMeyer]

That has been my experience. If you’re seeing a medical oncologist and you think radiation might help I think it is probably up to you to ask for a consultation with a radiation oncologist and vice versa. It’s almost as though they have blinders on and view each new development through their particular specialty without much consideration of what other specialties may have to offer unless you raise it.

[depotdoug in reply to chascri]

Yes, agree chascri,

Medical Oncologist and some Urologist and some Cardiologist and some Electrophysiologist and some hospitals really do not want to communicate with each other. It's like do not mess with my territory or don't infringe on my turf or I'm not affiliated with Hospital X so don't bother me.

Does this make sense? chascri?

[chascri in reply to depotdoug]

Yes there is some of that too. But really I think more often it is just a blinder effect. They see the everything through the prism of their particular specialty. I think it is up to us to call their attention to other possibilities or special issues. I think taking time before each appointment to write down questions concerning issues that are of concern Or on your mind is very important. I find it makes each of my appointments more productive and informative.

[depotdoug in reply to chascri]

YEs sir, I've already got 10 bullet point questions comments, concerns ready for Tuesday 15:30. And I'm sending them forward to med oncology doctor today too.

Can never be to pro-reactive in our health future.

Thanks for responding chascri.

Doug

[Tommyj2 in reply to AlanMeyer]

I agree Alan... I consider it fortunate if ANY of my MD's have read any notes re: anything that they themselves didn't order.... It's quite a burden for the patient who is emotionally distraught to have to keep on top of ALL of ones medical results but it's the only way to assure that SOMEONE knows your entire history....and that someone has to be YOU.

[BerkshireBear]

Doug, I have an indirect answer to your question -- based on my experience. Don't trust any part of the medical system to be communicating about you with any other part -- even two doctors in the same practice!! Sure, sometimes it happens, be grateful. But assume nothing. I have learned through three different cancers and two other serious illnesses in recent years to proactively insist that the doctors communicate -- and in most situations I acquire copies of notes and tests and CDs of Xrays and MRIs and carry them with me to appointments. Work with the secretaries and assistants, give them the names, fax, and phone numbers of who you want stuff sent to. When you get the reminder call about your upcoming appointment ask the caller to make sure your records from the other doctor have been received (if it's not a robocall). In general I find even the best communicators amongst the doctors are so time managed and narrowly focused on their specialty that accessing data beyond the referral note is just not thought of. Bottom line, it's your body and your responsibility to make the communications work.

Some larger cancer centers have a "care navigation" staff, typically nurses who make sure this all happens. It is their job. Use them if they are available; they are skilled intercessionists, they usually will get things done that you never even thought of.

[depotdoug in reply to BerkshireBear]

Agree BerkshireBear, Absolutely doctors do not like to talk to each other especially if they are part of another health system or hospital or department. I've gotten where I am at now by directly reaching out to specific doctors, through their RN's and being specific in why I'm coming to there care. Proactive forward speaking non-stop Doug. I call myself E.E.C. Doug the last 2+ years. Excessive Exercising Compulsion Doug. I would not even got my 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT scan 08/01 without changing to my present IU Health Urologist/Oncologist. Next Tues is Med Oncology De-cision day.

Doug

[chascri in reply to BerkshireBear]

That has been my experience too.

[Magnus1964]

My primary Pca doctor is a Urologist. He then directs treatments to radiologist or oncologist. He can look at the whole picture and direct everything without any bias. Even direct drug trials.

[depotdoug in reply to Magnus1964]

Thanks Magnus1964,

That's why I switched from my local home town URologist to 3 new Urologist(s) that are with IU Health. Absolutely do not believe my Ft. Wayne Uro doctor even cares about new treatments, different treatments, clinical trials or Radiation. Makes sense?

[Tall_Allen]

Patient medical records are increasingly shared across major institutions, but that is relatively new and may not include older data. It's a good idea to keep copies on your computer and email them to your doctor before the meeting.

[depotdoug in reply to Tall_Allen]

Agree. Old records are extremely handy I mean good things for us guys that have long term complicated urology lives.

The good news my Radiation Oncology office in FW called this afternoon and said my 2005 August-Dec IMRT treatment records reports are in their office! Great news I told to lady I’m there @8:00 to pick them up. Record success with records 14 years old! Amazing.

[BerkshireBear]

Allen, you left coast guys live in a different world out there. I have never been able to email anything to any doctor, they just don't. FAX is the only acceptable mode, assuming of course that we all have FAX machines (aka outmoded tech) in our homes.

[Olivia007 in reply to BerkshireBear]

I ageee with u we r in the Midwest and my dads doctor website startes do not leave emails call the office and even when I do he never himself responds he asks his techs and half the time they can’t repeat his response it’s a hot mess so all those who have Doctors that respond u r really blessed.

[j-o-h-n]

Make all your doctors your FaceBook Friends.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 08/16/2019 1:53 AM DST

[Grumpyswife]

Even with the Epic system of Mychart now at a lot of places, finally including Mayo in Minnesota, they can’t seem to get records between institutions. I carry 18 years of records with me and it has been invaluable.

[EdBar]

I recommend that you bring pertinent test results, doctors visitation notes (sometimes you have to ask for these) etc. from one doc to the other. I see several outstanding docs at top notch facilities but they rarely seem to have info that they’ve been copied on from each other. I’m gonna assume they are very busy and don’t have time to comb through what was sent from other docs for each patient every day.

That’s were YOU come in, it’s essential to be your own advocate and make certain your docs are fully informed. It’s also important to try to find a medonc that specializes in PCa, one who keeps up with the rapidly expanding treatments and study results regarding PCa. And this is my opinion - once you have been dx it’s time to move from a urologist (who is primarily a surgeon) to a medonc.

Ed

[depotdoug in reply to EdBar]

EdBar, yes I’ve already sent on my IU Health patient portal 7! Documents and yes I’m taking the same docs with me in paper hard copy.

I’m going in 20 min to collect my IMRT Radiation treatment report docs from June-Dec 2005 14 yrs ago. I’ll send them scanned .pdf to my Med/Oncologist through my IUHEALTH patient portal. Plus take paper hard copies.

Everything everything I’ve sent so far has been reviewed by a RN staff with my Med/Oncologist. If that’s not good enough I’ve called Dr Adra’s Office and they say they have rcvd all so far.

Plus since I’m on IU Health with my family medicine Physician since June 12th all those(my) records from 22 years ago are accessible. Do I trust my newest Med/Oncologist yeah he is highly recommended and is an assistant professor of medical Oncology since 2010, and more importantly specializes in Prostate Bladder, Urology tract and kidney

Cancer. Here is his bio video.

iuhealth.org/find-providers...

Doug

[dadzone43]

In Providence's Lifespan Hospitals, the team meets together with the patient. Team are the MO, RO and UO. The others above have noted the many shortcomings of the healthcare system in regards to communication. My advice: never assume; always ask; always state your needs and expectations; always respond clearly when your needs have not been met. I have learned to be unrelenting (and polite) when my fellow physicians have failed me in their care of me. This is the only turn any of us will get on the merry-go-round.

[depotdoug in reply to dadzone43]

Love your response dadzone43, ask, state, respond clearly, "unrelenting" .

Thanks, Doug

[monte1111]

Just got the one MO. Really feel that once I leave the office, it's out of sight, out of mind. She will respond to e-mails though. A feature of the Kaiser Health system. I have used it a few times, mostly for medication changes.

[rscic]

This SHOULD happen, however, it is in your best interests for YOU to make sure this happens .... just another check on a system that usually works well .... I agree with AlanMeyer.