When I ring for a doctors appointment the receptionist asks what the appointment!


Question: Are they allowed because sometimes when its embarrassing I dont want to say?

I will say "hello can I make an appointment for the doctor please" they always come back with "yes and what is it for?"


Answers: Are they allowed because sometimes when its embarrassing I dont want to say?

I will say "hello can I make an appointment for the doctor please" they always come back with "yes and what is it for?"

no they are not aloud to ask you "what is it for".
patient confidentiality
and it's your right not to tell them

I would guess that they have heard it all...even the bottle up the a*s.

I know exactly what you're talking about. I've started to just say "I will discuss that with Dr. Smith." They are usually a little annoyed, but there's nothing they can do, but proceed with the appointment.

hmm well just say that it is personal and you would rather talk to only the doctor about it. that's my addvice anyway

is this at your general practitioners? if thats the case, then im certain they have no right to ask you, its between you and your doctor

it dosent matter they probally had that before plus ther just doing there job

its neccesary. just tell them for petes sake. if you have a bottle up your butt, they will hurry the appointment along faster than if you need a pap scheduled.

Different problems take the Doctor different amounts of time with a patient. They need to know for scheduling purposes what the problem is. Also some people call in for a doctors appointment that really need to be seen immediately.

It may seem embarassing but the receptionist at the docotor's office has made an appointment for every kind of crazy ailment in the past. She just needs to know why you need to see the doctor for the records. Also, if it is something that needs to be taken care of right away, maybe they can fit you in sooner. Don't be embarassed, the receptionist will not link your reason with you. She won't think of you as the person who came in for _________.

I dont think they should ask unless for some reason they are writing it down in a document or something. If you dont feel comfortable talking about it just say okay thanks and then hand up like they never said "and what is it for." Hope this helped.

no they have to know what it is for i mean the receptionists are women most the time so if it is something that is a women problem they have probably had it too so yea they HAVE to know, and they arent allowed to ask anything further than that because it is paitent and dr confidentially. because when i go to the womens health clinic i tell the i need to set up an appointment and they ask what for and its usually for birth control or an annual so yea. if you are embarassed just find the nearest womens helth place and go there because the people are really understanding and nice about everything.

lady is right. Believe it or not, some doctors' offices try to keep the time spent in the waiting room to a minimum.

they need to know a general discription of what the problem so that they can alot the right amout of time. they also use this to determine how urgent the matter is and if you need to see someone right away.
if it is for a physical say physical
if it is for a period issue, say period issue.
if you can say what the issue is just say that, being honest is the best, plus they have probably heard it all anyway.
if you really can't say what they issue is, just say private and they will probably book you as a lower priority for the minimal amount of time. but at least then you won't have to tell the receptionist what the problem is.
if your worried about it, receptionists also fall under the confidentiality act/clause.
good luck





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