Community Chat

[Laura14]

I am reading this post and all I can think is that we are now dealing with the reality of a generation that grew up on texts. They don't do people skills well.

I see it more and more in my own field. I understand not interrupting yourself to take a call every time the phone rings because that's when mistakes get made. But not being prompt about call back is inexcusable.   

[Sooner]

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@CelticCrafter wrote:

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@Sooner wrote:

What do I think?  Just that it is what it is.  Lots of things in the world have changed and I can adapt or be cross a lot.

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But @Sooner when you're being referred to a specialist or not feeling well the last thing you want to deal with is an automated phone system that may or may not call you back

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@CelticCrafter I understand that and there is a lot now I don't want to deal with but I have to.  Especially about medicine, medical cae, and the health care industry in general.  But nothing I can do about most of it. 

[CatsyCline]

I've seen this now for months. it took 5 weeks to set up my MRI.  first my Ins company dragged their feet. Then the Imaging office called and when i returned their call i heard nothing for weeks, i called and left multiple messages.

They said they are merging with another Imaging provider, shortstaffed; many staff have quit.. The MRI tech was very impatient and curt with me.

My PCP is another one, last week i had a dr appt for a painful ear and headaches.  He gave me a script for a medication i could no tolerate. Since Friday i have made 3 calls to his office and not one staff person has returned my call. The doctor then had called in a 2nd Rx for the ear infection and Walgreens refused to fill it because in my profile it was listed as allergy. The first Rx he had me take was Cipro which was a nightmare!!

my theory is everyone decided to go on a vaca and/or call out - so what if they call in sick, they know they won't be fired cuz then there will be NO one to work there!   

[phoenixbrd]

It is frustrating not being able to follow through.  Unfortunately, this is business these days so I have learned to accept that it is our current status and, most likely, will not change.  Not high on my list of priority battles, I have no control.  And, yes, it is a nuisance that I don't allow to upset me....call, leave a message, and move on.

[granddi]

@Sooner I'm just being ornery! This morining I had planned to get some calls made and arrange services. I got vm/call back instructions from the hairdresser, exterminator, MD and water dept. 

You all are kind to commiserate with a grumpy old lady.

[RespectLife]

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@CelticCrafter wrote:

If you're close enough to the office you're better off getting in the car and taking a ride over to the office to make an appointment.

The absolute worst in the urologist my husband sees.  They must have 5 locations with 20-25 doctors and only ONE phone number.  There is no way to get directly in touch with the office you want unless you go there in person.

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I doubt they would appreciate that or allow it.

All my doc offices still require masks, don't let you bring anyone in, and only buzz you in with an appointment.

[gertrudecloset]

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@granddi wrote:

More and more businesses are using "call back" systems. 

For me it is getting more frequent that the person or office or business is not available for traditional incoming phone calls. The phone system says : leave a brief message and we will call you back"

I understand that a person may truly be" away from my desk" but this game has become routine.

I'm trying to make a new patient doctor appt and have "left my message" Now I am setting and waiting for a call back. I dont want to go out and about and get the call in a public place. If the call comes in and you dont take it, it is crazy impossible to call the number back. 

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@granddi do you have an option to find a doc who has staff who answers the phones?  

About 4 months ago I left word at a docs office for becoming a new patient and of course, the doc never called me back.  Many of them have no staff.  I didn't sit around and wait, I went straight to the next doc on my list and found one.

[stevieb]

The extent to which businesses, utilities and service providers in general offer ineffective communication options, lengthy holds, and so on, leaving the onus of making contact, along with the frustration, on the customers is unacceptable and inexcusable and I personally don't care about the reasons. Answer the #@$% phone. At this point, 'these times' are being used as an excuse for just about every form of lousy service.

[phoenixbrd]

"At this point, 'these times' are being used as an excuse for just about every form of lousy service."

Probably because "these times" are the reason, not just an excuse.    

[proudlyfromNJ]

We check these Doctors or companies off our list and go to someone else. It’s worked for us so far.