Calling a doctor or doctor’s office with a medical question is something people take for granted, at least here in the U.S.
It’s a privilege that some treat as a right.
This may be driven by the medical insurance industry. To be on an insurance company’s provider panel, doctors must be available or have a substitute available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
But when is it medically appropriate to call a doctor’s office? Certainly to schedule a routine appointment. What if you just want to ask a question?
If a problem is serious enough that you need a physician’s opinion, then both you and your doctor deserve a face-to-face encounter.
It isn’t fair to you or your doctor, or good medical practice, to expect the doctor to make a medical decision based solely on the information gathered in a phone call or email.
Now there is a third option-virtual medicine. Telemedicine companies now offer online access to physicians through a video visit, and some insurance companies reimburse for it.
When to call your doctor?
For strictly procedural questions, a phone call or email may suffice; these can be answered by a nurse or a non-clinical staff per physician instruction. These questions might include
- Clarification of medication instructions
- Reporting normal test results
- Scheduling follow-up office visits or diagnostic procedures
- Billing, insurance, and payment issues
When to see your doctor?
If you call your doctor with a medical question, expect to schedule an appointment.
Symptoms for which evaluation should not be delayed if severe, persistent, or worsening include
- Difficulty breathing
- Fainting, passing out
- Hives, swelling, rash (due to an allergic reaction)
- Lethargy or unexplained sleepiness
- Severe pain
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea if persistent or profuse
- Burns
- Bleeding, uncontrolled
- Fever
And what is a true emergency? I cover that at this link.
Reliable keys to recognize a medical emergency
How to know when an ER visit is needed for a medical problem
Keep readingexploring the HEART of children’s health
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Watercress Words by Dr. Aletha
