How to Get a Quick Appointment With a Doctor

culled from:wikihow.com

Steps

1

Call your personal physician's office first. If you don't have one, this may be the time to establish a relationship with one.

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   Be courteous! You get more flies with honey than vinegar. No threats - they may get you "fired" from the practice.
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   Give the telephone receptionist a realistic description of your symptoms or problem. Do your homework - know what your temperature is, where you have pain, how long you have had the problem, is it getting worse, or whatever relates to your problem. "I'm sick" probably won't cut it.
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   Find out when you can get an appointment. Think whether or not your problem can wait a few days. If your concerns are really serious, it may not be a good idea to wait.
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   If you are given what you consider an unrealistic wait for an appointment, tell the telephone receptionist that you would be prepared to sit and wait to be worked into your doctor's schedule. Try to enlist their help by being a human in need. Make a little joke - for example, ask if their waiting room reading material is less than a year old. In general, these are people with their own families who tend to be sympathetic, but you need to present yourself as a person worthy of sympathy, not just a whiner.
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   Help the staff remember that you have been a patient of the practice for however long, and you really value the advice your doctor gives you. You would rather see her or him than any other health professional.
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   If you are told that the doctor is too busy to see you and you should go to the emergency room, tell them you are trying to do the right thing and save your money and the ER's resources. If you are told that the doctor thinks your problem may need specialized diagnostic equipment or physicians, you may want to consider the ER.
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   If you didn't get satisfaction from your practitioner, ask your friends about their doctor. If they rave, give their doctor a call. "He's OK" means to keep looking.
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   Try these strategies with a few doctors. If you feel you are getting worse or really need to be seen, find a community hospital ER that has a good reputation and go there. (Take a paperback book with you.)
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   If you are successful in getting an early appointment, a heartfelt "Thank You" to practitioner and staff makes an impression. If you really want to hit a home run, send the doctor and staff a card.
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    Refer friends to the doctor who treated you well and paid attention to your concerns. Remember that they helped you when you needed it.