Everyone always says to "call your doctor and tell him" -- but when you call the doctor, the doctor isn't the one answering the phone, right? Don't you have to make an appointment? Do you just call and ASK for the doctor? I'm certainly not going to call the doctor and start discussing personal problems with the receptionist at the front counter, right?

So how exactly do you discuss a problem with your doctor without actually having to make an appointment? Thanks.

Dave,

When I say "call your doc", I mean call and ask for your doc's nurse. Then tell him/her the problem or issue and he/she will know exactly what to do. The nurse might be able to give you an answer right then or will call you back after talking to your doc or even have your doc call you. Most of the nurses know their doc's routines...they usually know if the doctor would need to see you based on what your issue is. You're right that doc's don't usually take phone calls directly from patients...they greatly rely on their nurses.

Cathy