CNN just published some tips on what to do if you’re having trouble getting in to see your doctor.
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Among their suggestions:
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1. Instead of saying you have a sore throat, suggest that your throat might be closing, making it sound more serious.
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2. Ask to speak to the office manager, not just the receptionist.
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3. “Go a little crazy” by calling a local television station to complain about not getting in.
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Gosh what wonderful ideas they have! Pretending to have an emergency condition, wasting the time of the office staff, and my favorite, creating bad publicity for your doctor by calling a TV station!
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The comments on this article from doctors and health professionals are actually hilarious. One doctor said he would immediately fire a patient who resorted to these tactics. CNN closed the comments before I had a chance to have mine. I wonder why . . . ?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I love how doctors have the right to “fire” patients, but I don’t think most laypeople really understand how/why a doctor can fire a patient. I got it explained to me by a NP friend.
Having worked in various medical offices for quite some time as a receptionist, my advice is to be EXTRA NICE to the receptionists. They are your FRIEND. You may think that they are dumb blondes with no education or some other stereotype, but think again. They have the direct line to the schedule, the doctor, the assistants, etc. They CAN and WILL get you in if you are polite, patient, calm, respectful and thankful of their efforts.
If any one of the patients at any one of the practices did what CNN suggested? They’d be put on the naughty list and their life would be made extremely difficult. Trust me.
We have a couple Unit Secretaries that are responsible for the phones, orders, and flow of the ER, and they are simply outstanding. Overworked, underpaid to be sure. When you consider the responsibilities they have, it is astonishing. One of our best just left for a “lower stress” job. I can hardly blame her. The ER burned her out.
be nice not only to the receptionists but also to your doctor. just tell them what you really feel so that they will get an idea how sick you are.