Do family Physicians have a duty or responsibility to check functionality of vital organs of patients?

Question

My 84 year young mother was recently diagnosed as having kidney disease. Her family doctor has been seeing my mother for years with routine checkups and has just now ordered a blood test to determine functionality of her kidneys. The blood test came back telling my mother's doctor that something was wrong with her kidneys and now my mother has chronic kidney disease. I'm wondering why her physician did'nt order some kind of test to find out if my mothers kidneys were truly doing the job they are supposed to do.

Answer 1

I think greydoc6 gave you some good advice. Talk with the doctor and clear the air. He checks out the problems your mother complains about but, he can't continually run tests and you wouldn't be able to afford them now days.
If your mother was complaining and he wasn't listening then, there's a problem.

Answer 2

Yes, but not all conditions are easily uncovered by routine testing. You have to remember that at age 84, the body is wearing out. No matter how healthy your mother is or was, you can't stop the ravages of time.

I think you need a frank talk with your mother's physician to clear the air.

Answer 3

Yes, her physician should have requested that she have blood work done at least once a year. A CBC, FLP, and most importantly in your case, a BMP should have been done. The BMP (basic metabolic panel) lets doctors know many things, including kidney function.