Everyone would love to have a doctor available 24-7 to answer our questions or concerns. Unfortunately, unless you have a lot of money, it just doesn't work that way. Here are a few ways to improve communication between you and your doctor.
The office visit: You may not know this but many doctors see upwards of 25-40 patients a day. That gives you a very short window of time (5-10 minutes in many cases) to ask all of your questions and have your doctors attention.
Come prepared and bring a short list of questions and concerns. Nothing throws off the pace of a doctor's day than to have several "oh by the way" moments. Although the 10 question list can sometimes slow you down, that is A LOT better than having a patient ask questions as you are walking out the door.
Tell the nurse why you are there. Don't be embarrassed. The nurse will respect your privacy. Moreover, telling the nurse why you are in the office can help streamline your visit. If you are having back pain or burning when you urinate, many nurses with collect and test your urine BEFORE the doctor arrives - arming him or her with valuable information when he comes into the room. If you are having a pelvic complaint or a rash, the nurse can have you undressed and ready for the doctor - saving yours and his valuable time.
On the phone: Every day, the average physician can receive anywhere from 20-30 calls (sometimes more). Some are medication refills, some are questions. In any case, know that each and every one should be addressed.
Given this volume, it helps to be clear on the phone when you are calling. If you are asking for a drug refill, give the pharmacy number. And give the office time to call in or fax the prescription. NEVER expect a prescription to be ready within an hour or two!
If you have a question, tell the staff who answers the call what it is. At the end of the day, I'm going to call back the patient with a specific concern back faster than the patient who says "it's personal." Its impossible to triage.
Also, the nurses and patient representatives have extensive knowledge bases and can answer a lot of questions. Most physician offices are so busy, it's impractical to expect a personal call from the physician for your question, except in unusual or emergency situations. If they don't know the answer - they'll ask.
Never call for an antibiotic. Do call saying that you are ill and are wondering if you need to be seen or if something can be called in or recommended over the counter.
If you have a lot of questions, make an appointment. It's not fair to get a free 10 minute phone consultation when patients who have made an appointment and are paying for your time are waiting in the next room.
