Before You Call the Doctor’s Office, Catch Your Thought

This morning, the birds outside my tower window were everywhere.

One landed on the wire. Another disappeared into the cedar. A whole crowd gathered on the grass across the street. By the time I focused on one bird, it had flown somewhere else. I was trying to make sense of the activity, but nothing stayed still long enough for me to get a clear picture. 🤣

Sometimes a call to the doctor’s office feels like that.

The person calling has a lot on their mind. They may be hurting, worried, or trying to manage several appointments at once. They know they need help, but when someone answers the phone, the reason for the call starts bouncing around.

I understand. Health care can be overwhelming. Still, taking one minute before you dial can help you get where you need to go.

Ask yourself:

• Which doctor or clinic am I trying to reach?
• Why am I calling today?
• What do I need someone to help me do?

Then put it into one sentence:

“I’m calling Dr. ___’s office because ___. I need help with ___.”

Maybe your imaging is complete and you need a follow-up appointment. Maybe you were referred to a specialist and want to know whether the referral arrived. Maybe a symptom has changed and you need to speak with the clinical team.

If you know the name of the doctor who referred you, have that ready too. If you know your diagnosis, write it down. If you don’t, that’s okay—tell us what you do know. You do not need to speak like a medical professional.

The person answering the phone cannot see all the birds flying around in your head. Give them one clear place to start. That helps them understand your call and get your message to the right person.

And before you hang up, make sure you know what happens next.

From Flava in Her Tower 🌻