New trend for doctors offices

[Babebahn]

I have noticed that all of my doctors offices are now going with...MESSAGE MACHINES for patients to leave message for appointments or leave a message for your doctor. This is going on in my pain doctor clinic & surgeons office...unbelievable...I always wondered why when I was in the waiting room, when someone was going to pick up the phone and speak on the phone...

The usual says: "If you are an established patient, press 2, to make an appt, leave a message for your doctor." Press 3 for medical records press 4 For billing...OK so I press 2 for established patient...then you have to press 1,2,3 for all the different doctors...then it finally says,,,I am so-so assistant for Dr James, please leave a message andI will get back to you within 2 business days (right).

I called one day to t he surgeons office 2 times...waited the required 2 days and no phone call...when I finaly got through...9 days later, the girl said oh we tried calling you but your phone hung up on us after the first ring?! B.S...

Just venting/frustrated

[lfoster21]

I can see how frustrating that would be. The next time that you actually see the Dr. I'd explain to him, in a nice but concerned way, what happened and it concerns you if you were to have an emergency and could not wait a couple of days (much less 9 days) what would you do? He may give you a direct line to call on.

I have found that Drs. can do a lot for you that the receptionists and nurses either can't or won't do for you. I was getting the run around from a variety of staff at my surgeon's office, including w/ the Dr's. PA. They would not get me in to see the Dr. when I was getting worse...they just kept telling me to come in on my scheduled appnt. in a month. When I saw my Neurologist prior to that appnt., she could not believe how bad I had was & asked if my surgeon new that I was getting worse. I told her that I had told the nurse & PA and asked to be seen early but they both said that I did not need to be seen. My Neurologist was furious & left the room, got on the phone and called my Surgeon and told him that he needed to see me the next day. She then came back and told me that I was the patient of the Surgeon's and I had every right to speak with him. If a nurse, staff, or PA ever told me that I could not see, speak with, or leave a message for him, I should go in person and when I saw him, I needed to make sure that he was aware of that. So, it is possible that your Dr. isn't even aware that the phone system has it's flaws and he may give you a new number to call directly on.

[chrischris]

Babe, I've noticed the same thing. Maybe it's a California thing! I hate it! Next time you can't get ahold of your doctors office, fax them and ask for a call back within an hour or you will be there in person to speak to the doctor about his/her faulty phone system.

[Bummer Knees]

My doctor's office has a similar phone system. although an office worker will pickup the phone after your press the needed number.

Never like message machines, I am hearing impaired and if the voice on the phone talks fast or in certian tones I am lost. Cant tell the machine to slow down.

[jayne]

Not a calif thing it is a nurse thing.....they have so many different rules and regs from each insurance company not to mention the clinic rules.......they sometimes feel the are the docs watch dogs....I have been coming in each month and seeing the doc this last time I mentioned that others on here only have to see their Docs every three months why did I have to see him every month.....He said when you pay peanuts you get monkeys...took me out gathered his staff and told them in front of me......she is not a welfare patient,she is not a wc patient,she is a tricare champus patient with stomach and med problems......she sees me every 3 months she comes in every month for blood work and to pick up her scrip..when she does see me she is the first patient of the day she cannot sit in a room for hours....do you understand...repeated his "you pay peanuts you get monkeys and left"....I felt about 1 inch hi....But at least I dont have to sit in his office anymore for hours

[Still in Limbo]

Jayne, Your Dr.'s Attitude Sucks, I Understand that w/c or Your Ins. May not Pay exactly what the Dr. Charges, but there was No Reason for You to Have to Go Through what They did!! As Per Court Order from a w/c Judge I am only to See My PM Dr. every 3 Mos. because I am just on a "Make the Patient as Comfortable as Possible" Mode because Nothing Else can be Done to Me Surgically. But the Judge went on to Put in Their 52 Page Decision that "If the Patient Feels He Needs to See the Dr. before the 3 months Due to Pain Increase, the i/c is to Pay for That Also"! I Wonder if He was Talking about His Staff when He Made the Peanuts Statement, or was it about Your Health Ins? Either Way, You should not have had to go through that!! I See My PCP every 3 Mos. also, because My PM Dr. and I Agreed to let My PCP check My Blood Levels, and Contact My PM Dr. should there be a Problem. As a Matter of Fact, I have to go in this Tuesday, I saw My PCP 3 Weeks Ago, and they Found My Liver Count to be a Bit High, so they want to Keep a Better Eye by Taking Blood Every 2 or 3 Weeks to See if it was Just a One Time thing, or If the Meds. are Starting to Take Their Toll on My Body! At this Point, I have 5 Different Dr.'s, had only the Hometown PCP before My Injury, and Luckily I can Still get a Human on the Other Line when I Call Any of them. I'm Sorry You had to go through that Jayne, that just wasn't Proper Dr. Manners!

Babe, I Agree with the Others that You should Speak with Your Dr. Personally about this, a while Back My Blood Sugar Showed 113, and the Nurse at My PCP's Office Called telling Me that I'm on the Brink of Having Serious Sugar Problems, wanted to Enroll Me in a Class about Correct Eating Habits, and wanted Me to Start Checking My Sugar Daily. I Told Her I can't Set in a Classroom for any Amount of Time, but My Father had an Extra Test Machine, and I would Check My Sugar. My Average Sugar Count is between 85 and 90. When I saw My PCP They knew Nothing about what the Nurse had Done, I Told My Dr.I Swear the Nurse was getting a Kick Back from Someone to Enroll Patients, and Sell Their Testing Supplies! My PCP was Very Upset and Said it would be Taken Care of, and to Only Check My Sugar Once a Week or So and Contact Them Personally if it stayed around the 150 to 200 Range. The Dr. would have known Nothing about what this Nurse was doing had I not Discussed this with Them, so Maybe it will Work if You do the Same! Best of Luck, and Be Well!

[jayne]

yes he was talking about his staff he was so pissed that I had been made to come and sit for hours just because they didnt know the rules of the clinic....and that when I called in more than usual pain he was not called......He was pissed because I had had to go to the ER for pain relief instead of to him

[Manley2]

My PM's office is about the same, but you leave a message if you want something like a refill other wise you push a button and they answer. As for seeing the doctor it is on my chart I will only see him. This was after they screwed up my trial stim surgery and called the day before saying it was with a new doctor I had never seen. After reg doctor heard about this he made a point to get it setup with him that day so I didn't have to delay it any more. I also understand that if I need to see a doctor with just a few days notice I see who ever they can get me time with.

[Tuffy]

The clinic I use has a really good thing going, On regular days from 8 to 9 am every day except Sunday they take emergency and walk in patients. Of course you may not see your regular Dr as they take turns, but in an emergency it is great, you don't even have to call, just show up ........It is a teaching Clinic associated with The Illinois School of Medicine, So there are always Dr's and Student Dr's along with some Residents. All the regular Dr's are teaching Dr's including mine. A great Clinic with great office and nursing staff.

[jayne]

Lucky you Tuffy.....I live in a small town with just a few Docs and boy howdy are they busy