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When I ring for a doctors appointment the receptionist asks what the appointment is for?

reposting this because it went to an american yahoo are they allowed to do that?? ask for its for????? I feel really embarrassed when its an embarrassing problem I dont want to be rude and say its none of ur business as they could put me at the bottom of the waiting list!

Public Comments

1. just say 'personal matters for the doctor/nurse please' :) x
2. They ask so that the doctor can know what to expect and such. Additionally, sometimes you could be calling about something that they would advise you to go to the ER about or that they can call a prescription in for. EVERY time I've called the doctor to make an appointment they ask what for. They need to know if they need to be prepared to give you a pap smear and such. I can see why you might be embarrassed, but remember the receptionist is a professional as well. It's not like she'll laugh at you.
3. they asked me once, because the doc had a very busy schedule, they had to know the issue to see if i was able to see the nurse instead, may be something like this! if not, there just rude!! x
4. You could always give a very vague answer, like it's a woman problem for example, and tell them your not comfortable talking about it over the phone to a stranger.
5. Just say that you would rather not say on the phone but that it is urgent/non-urgent. Maybe she's just nosey!
6. Yeah, that is embarrassing, i would just tell them you need an exam
7. They asked me that the last time i rang up! I just said "Well its for something embarressing so i dont want to say..." lol i was embarressed justr saying that! I think they just ask you incase its something that can either be dealt with by the nurse or the chemist, its just to keep the doctor queues down. They wont put you at the bottom of the list and you dont have to tell them anything! :o)
8. Yes just tell them personal matters that u need taken care of
9. Totally agree with your comment. Doctor's Receptionists have been given too much power with no education!
10. As far as I know you don't have to tell them. Just says its personal.
11. They do the same at my surgery and yes I have to give some information. A chap I knew went to his GP and GP asked what his problem was he replied "your the XXXXXX doctor you tell me". So works both ways lol
12. I'd simply say to them it's a personal matter, which you'd much rather discuss with your GP only.
13. well just say to see me doctor lol tc
14. They are trying to discover the urgency, so say it`s personal
15. theyve got absolutely no right whatsover to ask you! the only time a receptionist MIGHT have the right to ask you is if you ring up for an emergency appointment (because someone elses emergency could be considered more urgent). What you see the doctor for is between you and the doctor, and nobody else.
16. Tell the receptionist. it is "private matter," and if she ask's again. tell her "again." And this is an American, again. <}:-})
17. They should only ask if you are requesting an emergency appointment, so they can assess wether it would be better to direct you to A&E, they should not ask for reasons if you are requesting a normal appointment. Write to your surgery and tell them you are not satisfied with their service, and do not wish to state your reasons for wanting an appointment unless you are requesting emergency treatment.
18. I manage usually to avoid this problem by stating as soon as the receptionist answers, "this is ___; I'm calling to schedule my annual physical" or "I'm calling because I'm experiencing some physical difficulties and need to speak with the doctor about my symptoms to determine whether or how soon he/she needs me to come in. It'll save us both time if you could please have the doctor call me during his/her scheduled time for returning calls today." That usually stops them cold.
19. try telling that kind of receptionist you need the tires on your car rotated you silly thing.... i'll discuss what for with the doctor!!.. sarcasm lets them feel the embarrassment for being nosy and rude your medical concerns are your own and your doctors not some bubble headed receptionists
20. Hey doll. You don't need to visit the doctors.... Come over and stroke my belly, that will cure all your problems xx
21. Although reception staff are bound to keep patients' details confidential, they are not entitled to know. Legally and, in my view, ethically it isn't really best practice to ask, and you're under no obligation to tell them. The argument that the staff need to know in order to prioritise your appointment doesn't hold weght with me. A receptionist doesn't necessarily know what to do with the information they are given, & in my experience can prioritise a patient's needs incorrectly. I am always doubtful of the confidentiality of conversations held in the reception area of a busy clinic, where even one side of a phone conversation could be enough for anyone to overhear. The Caldicott principles that govern confidentiality laws include the principle that the only information to be disclosed outside of a consulation should be relevant & appropriate - i.e. does the other person need to know? I work for a Primary Care Trust, & our general rule is that reception & admin staff do not ask (& most have no desire to know) for any information regarding a patient's medical needs, unless specifically requested to do so by a clinician (for clinical reasons). I would just tell the receptionist that you wish to see the doctor, & you don't wish to discuss your problem with anyone other than a GP or nurse. I'm sure they don't mean to pry, it just sounds like old working practices living on too long.
22. hi i worked as a dr's receptionist and we were told to ask what the appointment was for, you dont have to say in detail, some people ring and make an appointment for a repeat prescription when this can be done without an appointment, also some things are more urgent than others like woman wanting the morning after pill, cant ask her to wait till tomorrow etc, dont be too hard on the receptionist as they are only doing what the dr's tell them, at the end of the day the dr's who run/own the practice decide how its run not the receptionists.
23. My doctors do the same thing.. Just say you'd rather explain it in more detail to the doctor.
24. I am afraid it is fairly common practice, based on the need to allocate appointments on a prioritised basis. Even when you attend A+E, request an ambulance or ring NHS 24/Direct, the receptionist/telephonist will ask what the problem is. Locally our NHS 24 telephonists are trained to provide the first level of priority filtering when patients ring up. The request is nothing to do with nosiness, just necessity!
25. The Receptionist doesn't need to know what your appointment is for. Explain that you would prefer not to discuss it over the phone with her, but with the Doctor at your appointment. xx
26. they are allowed to do it as they have to estimate how long the appointment will take. they keep it all confidential so it reeally shouldnt matter :S
27. i think they ask incase a certian doctor might be a specialist at that. if you don't want to tell them just say 'i rather wouldn't say and if tey really need to know just say something un-specific like womens problems or something along them lines.