"Yeah, but is it fair to expect a cardiologist to know and treat arm
problems? Certainly, it was appropriate to call the cardiologist's office
because pain radiating to the arm is a sign of cardiac problems, but it is
not appropriate to expect him to treat problems that fall into the realm
of
physical therapists, arthropods or primary care docs."

A doctor provides purchased services, just like the guy who fixes your
car.  All informed people know pain in the left arm can be a symptom of a
cvd problem.  The doc who provides the cvd related consultation was paid
to consult thusly.  More likely the payment, if any, from the health plan
in effect for phone consult is far less then an office visit.  The
customer gets to decide if services purchased were delivered.  The nurse
was in no position to detrermine the signifsignificance of the arm pain
and a cvd person would not be calling a physical therapist to evaluate cvd
implications.  If he had called his gp most likely he would have been told
to go to the er just to make sure, where a cvd person would be on hand if
required; the very service purchased in the first place and for which a
full consult fee would then be paid.

Jeff,

The reason I called them was becuase I felt discomfort in my left arm.
Had I felt discomfort in my right glute or had an ear ache I would have
called my PCP.  From my point of view I made the right call. Yet, I
feel as if I had called the fire department because I smell smoke and
then having the FD tell me to call 411 and ask them what I should do.

Javier

I have to disagree wiht you Jeff. If I didn't have any prior history of
cardiac problems I would be on your side. However, since I do I felt I
was better off asking than calling my PCP only to be told to call my
cardiologist.

Remember I didn't asking him to treat my arm, I asked if this is
something I should be worried about.

Jav