why would they need to see me if the news is good? a friend texted, after getting a call from her doctor’s office about a recent pap test. she added five emojis — three with wide eyes and two with tears.
advertisement
hate hate hate surprises, she texted from the clinic waiting room. they coulda just told me. so glad i spent the last two days envisioning what my funeral would look like.
advertisement
advertisement
dr. quyen ngo-metzger raised this issue in the american family physician journal , asking colleagues to weigh in on his opinion that it was okay to deliver test results by phone — especially in cases where the patient wants to know immediately, and is experiencing anxiety — rather than waiting for an in-person appointment.
advertisement