Will you call or text your doctor?
By Daddy Neil
@neildc (17239)
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
August 30, 2008 9:24am CST
When we had our son checked-up by the doctor yesterday, she advised us to stop giving him some of the medicines and will only continue giving 2 kinds of it. She also mentioned that milk and other solids should be stop while treating his tummy. But his milk should be given, but the one that is lactose-free. We can't find the brand that he had taken before, so I send a text message to our doctor and asked for an advise and the brand of milk to be given. So she replied through text also, and detailed the instruction for mixing. She added that it stool should be examined, to make sure of the situation. Do you call your doctor for some clarifications or you just use your cell phone to text him/her? Or in any other situations, will you can or text, if you need help or clarifications on some things? I prefer texting so instructions can be reviewed later and for some other security reasons. 
(neildc @ red/89/1735)
(neildc @ red/89/1735)1 person likes this
13 responses
@kaezy_kulet (2465)
• Philippines
31 Aug 08
it is better to have a written message from your physician so if on case there had been a problem and your doctor will not admit that she had instructed such things to you you will have a proof on the thing that she had advised you or had stated to you..and also it is much clearer if you will just read a message instead of listening to the instruction 'coz you will tend to mishear a certain direction then you will be committing an error then it will lead to another error..so i think written message is much better than having a verbal conversation..
2 people like this
@iyah10 (4115)
• Kuwait
31 Aug 08
I always prepare to call for my Doctor if I have some important matter to discuss but if there is any clarification on the detail for medication my doctor also send it for message so that i would also understand it properly and not even forget some details which is so important like time of medication and the proper dosage ......
2 people like this
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
31 Aug 08
I can e-mail my doctor if I have to. Most of the times, if I have to call my doctor for something, I have to call my healthcare providers. I cannot text my doctor or call him direct.
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
31 Aug 08
That is pretty interesting, texting a doctor. That is certainly something that I have never heard of before. We do not text our doctors or surgery we still have to phone to make appointments or to seek advice and I think that I personally prefer to speak to someone like that over the phone rather than text!
1 person likes this
@kezabelle (2974)
•
31 Aug 08
I think I would rather call the dr to be fair though i only ever see the dr if I really need to so often id do neither id want a visit or appointment as often its important me or my children are seen not diagnosed over the phone, simple advice on meds etc then yes a phonecall would be fine but no id not text
1 person likes this
@ayessa (1583)
• Philippines
31 Aug 08
When I need to clarify something on my doctor I try to call him but if he's not available at his office I just text him and luckily he does responded to my messages. I don't see anything wrong if you try to contact your son's doctor. Besides doctors gave you his contact details so that if you had questions it will be easy for you to reached him. Also doctors has expected that to thier patients.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
30 Aug 08
I prefer to call my doctor. That way I know I am really getting the doctor's advice and not from a nurse of someone in the office which is often the case.
1 person likes this
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
3 Sep 08
[i]Hi neildc,
yo have a very good reason about txting..It is really nice to have the message for us to review again without bothering and asking for some clarifications!
I haven't tried to txt to our Doctor, I always use the phone when I want to inquire something! but, great idea there![/i]
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
30 Aug 08
Hi neildc.
I usually call my doctor when I have questions or concerns. To be frank with you, I don't even know of a way to text her, I mean, I don't think I have ever been given a cell phone number for her. That's interesting, though, that some doctors are available by text messaging. I do not know anyone who has the capacity to text their doctors, you are the first!
@xXxMikesWifeyxXx (3072)
• United States
30 Aug 08
Here were i am from, or atleast every doctor i have been to. we dont have the option to text the doctor.
the only option we have is to call and speak with a nurse or leave message and ask for a dr to call you back.
Now if we call the emergency room at night they always have a pediatrician on call from our dr's office. we leave our name and number. and withen 10 minutes they always call back..
my would it be nice to text the doctor!.lol so much easier.
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
30 Aug 08
That is an excellent idea, neil! I have never thought of texting my doctor when I need instructions.
I have always called the doctor's office. I don't always get the information I'm looking for, though. Maybe, if I text them next time, I'll get a better answer to my question.
Is you son feeling any better today?
@msedge (4011)
• United States
9 Sep 08
I rememeber when my daughter was still a baby theres already a celphone but its not common.I had one but i prefer calling her doctor to ask what to do but mostly she never gave instruction unless she needs to see her.But i understand your child was already admitted so its just right to use any communication that would help your son getting better.I hope he is totally cured now.This discussion is been a week so i would expect he would be fine now.Sorry for my delayed response.Been busy lately for our business.
@alnoodle (48)
• United States
30 Aug 08
Hmmm. This is really interesting. I live in the mid west and it is not an option to text your DR. Here, we call and wait for our DR to call us back. But I suppose it would make life easier if we could text the DR especially if it isn't an emergency.
1 person likes this
