Things We Wish We Could Say

Simple Request(s): 1. ANSWER YOUR PHONE or do the following... 2. SET UP YOUR VOICEMAIL and afterwards... 3. CHECK AND DELETE VOICEMAIL so that someone can leave a message. *ESPECIALLY IF YOU CALL US AND ARE EXPECTING A CALL BACK*

*DISCLAIMER* Please don't get offended by this post. We understand sometimes things are out of your control. BUT when they aren't out of your control...well...this is why this post exists. Some of our "favorite" phone calls happen between 3 and 4:45 pm (the 2 hours before we close) and they go something like this: *4:00 pm* Patient/Parent calls "Hi, I need to get my child in for an appointment today." "Okay, what do they need to be seen for?" "Well, he has been sick for 3 weeks and I think it's time he be seen." "Alright. Can you come at 4:45 (or later depending on how late we are already scheduled)." *And we are thinking to ourselves, "so, he has been sick for 3 weeks but NOW, 45 minutes before we close and can go home, he needs an appointment." And our office policy is that if they call before we close and need an appointment we will see them. Even if it isn't an emergency. And then they get there at...

My grandpa used to say that when he would call someone just to throw them off.  I start with that because sometimes I feel like, when I answer the phone, it doesn't matter what I say they still ask who they called. *RING RING* "Doctor's Office" "Uh, hi, is this the doctor's office?" Yes. That's why when I answered I said, "DOCTOR'S OFFICE". You dialed the number for the doctor's office, who did you expect? Yeah, I know that sometimes they just didn't hear me or misunderstood me but it seems to happen a lot. Which reminds me of another annoyance; when someone calls the office and isn't paying attention when I answer. I shouldn't have to wait for someone to finish their conversation with someone else or try to get them to pay attention. You called me! Before I make a phone call, I get ready for that phone call. I finish talking to who I am already speaking to, I find a more quiet place where I can hear (if possible) a...

"You don't have anything sooner?" Well, we do, but we just thought we would save those appointments for special people. Don't you think if we had something available we would offer it to you? It wouldn't make much sense to just pick random times or to not fill up the schedule as we go.  It is amazing how often we get this question. And my favorite is when it is someone who cancel's their appointment and wants to reschedule. And then they are surprised that our schedule is already booked up. They made their original appointment 6 months ago, yet they think if they reschedule they can still get in that week. No. Sorry, we are booked up. And if your child is behind on immunizations because you had to cancel your appointment and reschedule, that is not our fault. If you want them to get immunizations on time....KEEP YOUR APPOINTMENT! Another time this question is really fun is when someone makes a same day appointment and we offer something 2 hours from t...

Our office hours are pretty normal for a doctor's office. 8:30 am until 4:45 pm Monday through Friday. Normal working hours. Yet for some reason, when I make appointments for people, they don't understand that. And I'm sure if I gave them the benefit of the doubt they wouldn't have asked had they just took a second to think before words came out of their mouth. Example: Me: Can you come on (whatever day) at 8:30? Them: In the morning? Me: Yes. **Thinks to self, "no, 8:30 at night, we'll still be here." Them: Yeah, that works. I mean, they really don't think I would ever schedule something after normal working hours? Better yet, I've had people ask me that when I've given them an option of 10:00. In the morning? No, 10:00 PM, I want you to pull your kid out of bed and drive down to our office for a check-up. I can't think of a time right now but I'm sure it's also happened that I try to schedule them for 3:00 and they really h...

I don't think it matters where you work or what you do, the people who use your business (whether it be customers, patients, clients, what have you) will always do things that make you roll your eyes. This blog is dedicated entirely to the people at my job that make me want to laugh out loud, roll my eyes, or leave me speechless.  Disclaimer: Names will NOT be used anywhere in this blog. MOST of the things I write about have happened multiple times with multiple people and should in no way reflect a specific person. Background Information: I am a receptionist at a pediatric doctor's office. And I really do love my job.