Will A Doctor Call If An MRI Is Bad?

Has your doctor recommended you get an MRI?

Are you anticipating the test results?

You may wonder – ‘Will a doctor call if an MRI is bad?’

The healthcare system in place, the urgency of the results, the medical facility’s communication policies, and the doctor’s behaviors all influence whether or not a doctor will call if an MRI is negative. 

Read up to know more!

What Is The Procedure Following an MRI?

A radiologist reviews the images after the MRI scan. Then, they produce the results. 

The doctor who requested the scan subsequently receives this report, usually within 24 to 48 hours. However, it may take longer in non-emergency situations or areas where the medical system is overworked.

The doctor will then see the radiologist’s report and decide whether to act on the results immediately or wait for a follow-up consultation.

Will A Doctor Call If An MRI Is Bad, And When?

Most patients are curious and often ask – ‘Will a doctor call if an MRI is bad, and when?’ 

A doctor’s decision to call following an MRI depends on several variables, such as the type of results, the urgency of the situation, and the doctor’s communication style.

A few instances that could affect a doctor’s decision to call following an MRI are:

Life-threatening or urgent findings

The doctor will most likely call the patient immediately if the MRI shows an urgent or life-threatening problem, including a tumor, a brain hemorrhage, or severe spinal cord damage. 

In certain situations, the doctor has an ethical duty to notify the patient because waiting for a scheduled visit may delay the necessary course of treatment.

Certain medical facilities even have policies that mandate that if the doctor finds a major problem, doctors must contact patients within a certain amount of time!

To schedule an urgent follow-up visit, the doctor, a nurse, or an administrative staff member may call the patient directly. 

In more serious situations, the patient might even be told to visit the ER or a specialist immediately.

Findings that are not urgent but are concerning

The doctor may or may not call the patient if the MRI shows something worrisome but not immediately fatal. 

They might discuss the test results in the following planned meeting!

Don’t worry!

However, since many physicians are aware that patients frequently worry about the results of their tests, they might decide to contact or schedule an impromptu follow-up to review the results and decide what to do next!

For example, if an MRI shows a degenerative disease like arthritis or a benign tumour, the doctor may call to inform the patient and schedule a discussion on treatment options. 

Since these conditions are not emergencies, the doctor might not feel an urgent need to call immediately, but they will likely make contact to prevent the patient from worrying unnecessarily!

Normal or minor results

If the MRI results come back as normal or only reveal minor issues, the doctor may not call at all, opting instead to discuss the results at the next routine appointment. 

Yes.

Some medical practices follow a “no news is good news” policy, which means that if the patient does not hear from the doctor after a diagnostic test, it can be assumed that there was nothing of concern in the results!

However, because many individuals fear that a lack of communication could mean that the doctor forgot or is hiding unpleasant news, this method can occasionally cause anxiety in patients.

To avoid this, some medical professionals now frequently contact or write to confirm normal test findings, even when there is no reason to be concerned.

What Are The Factors Affecting a Doctor’s Decision to Call? 

The Healthcare System

Direct communication between physicians and patients is vital in certain healthcare systems, whereas in others, nurses, physician assistants, or administrative personnel may be in charge of delivering outcomes.

Furthermore, some healthcare systems prioritise providing results via electronic health records (EHRs) or patient portals, where patients may log in and see their data. 

In these situations, the doctor might only give a call if the results are unusual or call for additional discussion.

The Practice Style of the Physician

Some doctors prefer to personally deliver any kind of test result, whether good or bad, to ensure that patients fully understand the findings. 

Other doctors may only call when something is alarming, leaving more routine or non-urgent matters to be discussed during follow-up appointments. 

Preferences of Patients

Regardless of the results, some patients want to know their results right away, while others would rather wait and talk about them face-to-face!

Many medical professionals consider patients’ preferences and modify their communication styles accordingly! 

For instance, even if the results are not threatening, a worried patient might get a call sooner!

How To Ensure Better Communication With Your Doctor?

You can take the following actions to guarantee clear communication if you have had an MRI and are uncertain if your doctor will call to share the results:

• Enquire About Communication Preferences: When your doctor orders an MRI, ask how and when they intend to share the results. This will lessen worry and help set expectations.

• Use Patient Portals: Many healthcare providers offer online portals where patients can access test results, including MRI reports. This can provide quicker access to information and reduce the waiting time.

• Follow-up: Don’t hesitate to follow up with your doctor if they haven’t called back. It’s critical to speak up for your health and ask questions if you have any concerns.

• Talk about Urgency: Make sure your doctor knows your worries so they can communicate immediately if you are especially concerned about dangerous findings.

Conclusion:

Since we have answered the question – ‘Will a doctor call if an MRI is bad?’ we want to say that if an MRI result is bad or reveals something serious or life-threatening, a doctor will call to discuss the findings and plan the next steps.

Clear communication between doctors and patients is key to reducing stress and ensuring that medical issues are addressed timely.

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