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Often times, you can save yourself a long wait for
the doctor at the clinic by getting timely advice
on the telephone. Such a trend is becoming increasingly
important today, when time is at a premium and commuting
is so arduous, thanks to frequent traffic jams!
You need to learn to make intelligent use of the
phone to get appropriate help from the doctor. However,
when you're sick or hurt, it becomes difficult to
think clearly and the following routine may help
you to help the doctor give you the care you need
over the telephone:
- Keep a pen and paper ready so that you can
write down the relevant instructions.
- Make sure all your medical records are at
hand, so that you can answer questions about
your medical problem intelligently and accurately.
- Identify yourself properly, giving your full
name as well as your diagnosis ( try not to
tax your doctor's memory!).
- Ask if you can take a few minutes of the doctor's
time now, or whether you should call back again
- this is common courtesy!
- Report specific symptoms. For example, rather
than just saying, 'I don't feel well, or I've
got the flu,' which can be interpreted in different
ways, be prepared to describe your symptoms
precisely; for instance, fever, sore throat,
cough, and/or bodyache. Similarly, instead of
just saying, 'my baby has a fever', specify
the exact temperature and the duration of the
fever as well as other signs or symptoms.
- When you don't know what you need (for example,
you may not be sure how serious the illness
is, i.e., if you require a visit to the clinic),
tell the staff you're uncertain and request
that you speak to a nurse or the doctor's assistant
over the phone. Don't be hesitant; if you're
feeling concerned or anxious, let the clinic
staff know.
- Don't insist on talking only to the doctor
every time you call. For example, if you just
need to make an appointment, or merely clarify
a doubt, the nursing staff or receptionist may
be able to help you. To put it differently:
respect your doctor's time!
- Don't misuse the phone by trying to wangle
a free consultation. Not only is this act unfair
to the doctor, but also such a consultation
is likely to be very unreliable!
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Today, many physicians make themselves, an assistant
or other staff member available to their patients
over the phone. Pre-visit questions and routine
follow-up on the phone can save you - and your doctor
- both time and money. Before making a call, you
need to certain relevant information in advance:
- When is the best time to call?
- What is the doctor's rule for returning calls?
- Whom should you speak with (e.g., assistant, nurse) if the doctor can't come to the phone?
- What is the phone number for making emergency calls or for calls when the office is closed?
- Whom can you call if your doctor is out of town?
When you reach your doctor or his assistant over the phone, be prepared to :
- Identify yourself.
- Get to the nitty-gritty quickly, especially
if you've phoned after hours. (Have someone
else call the doctor for you if you are unable
to talk.)
- Define your problems and symptoms accurately
but swiftly. Write them down and keep them near
the telephone so you can report them quickly
and completely.
- Report results of self-tests and other symptoms
you have been keeping track of, such as a temperature
of 101°F for two days, diarrhea that has
lasted for 48 hours, and so on.
- Ask the doctor what you should do and write
down his instructions carefully. Ask the doctor
to spell out any word if you are unsure about
it.
- Ask if and when you should call back, or if
you should come to the clinic.
- Ascertain what complications could occur that
may require you to hurry to the emergency room.
- Don't forget to thank the doctor for talking
to you on the telephone!
Sometimes, you may have to call a doctor after the
clinic has been closed. Remember when you call a
doctor after hours, he is trying to help you solve
your immediate problem, not provide advice about
your entire medical situation. Try to be specific
in your complaint; you should know what medications
you are currently taking and which of them has proved
successful in the past. If you are not happy with
the physician's advice or if you feel you are getting
worse, go to the nearest emergency room at once.
Let me give an example of a precise and useful telephone
call: 'I am an asthma patient and have had increasing
wheezing today. I am not coughing up any mucus.
I am using my albuterol inhaler every three hours
but it doesn't seem to work. Last year when I suffered
a similar episode, the doctor gave me prednisone
and it worked, but the prescription is a year old.
What should I do now?
On the contrary, here is an example of a bad telephone
call: 'I don't feel good. The doctor treats me for
breathing problem. I take three breathing pills,
one is green, one is white and one is real, and
I ran out of the red one last week. While I have
you on the phone, I think I have a fungus on my
feet, can you suggest a prescription for something
for that as well….'
Making effective use of the telephone can help to
save both you and your doctor considerable time,
effort and money! learn to use this instrument wisely
and well.
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