I mail a report later. Many doctors stop me in the hospital to say how helpful the same-day voicemail was. And it cuts down my calls from doctors who have just been asked questions by their patients. Family physician Peter Sundwall of Murray, Utah, also has left phonephobia behind. He gets his receptionist to put all callback requests in a tray in his office laboratory.
Patients appreciate having phone calls returned quickly.
This system works. But I went one stage further. I started writing in the chart what my next step in treatment will be if what I suggest during the office visit doesn't work. My nurse calls the patients and if they are not improving she can implement the next move without involving me. It saves me an office call.