Do You like Your Pediatrician's Office?

Updated on June 13, 2011
A.G. asks from Albuquerque, NM
15 answers

I really like my kids Ped. she is a great dr and I feel very comfortable with the care she provides my kiddos.
However I hate the ladies that work at the desk. They are so unfriendly, rude & just not helpful. Everytime I call they act like the are bothered to even answer the phone. And forget it if I need to make an appt. for both of my kids. They act like its impossible to schedule twins at the same time. There is one that seriously has to "check" with the dr before she can schedule them.
I had to call them today to schedule a visit for my son ( he has started screaming for reasons beyond me). I told the lady who answered the phone what was going on, and she asked me what was wrong with him....um I dont know thats why I am calling to make a drs appt! . Listen to me when I tell you whats going on. If I wanted to talk and not have someone listen to me I would just talk to my husband! I guess this is more of a rant than a question but I'm just feeling frustrated right now. Thanx for reading!

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So What Happened?

Thanx for responding. Yes I have metioned it to the dr, & Im guessing she has said something because since I metioned it they have gotten even ruder. She is ok with taking both of them at the same time, and she was heavily recomended my the local twins club ( as well as my ob) I would hate to go to a differant office just because the office staff is a bunch of snobs but maybe I should. :( The office manager seems to be the rudest of them all - shes the one that has to verify that they can take 2 kids at once, you would think she would know if they could or could not!

Featured Answers

N.G.

answers from Dallas on

I would definitely let the doctor know about it. In my experience, when I tell a doctor that his staff sucks, he/she takes action.

My ex family physician (now retired) had hired a new staff and they were a bunch of unprofessional brats. I alerted him to the fact (apparently I wasn't the only one complaining about them) and within days, they were all fired.

That's extreme, but this Dr. needs to know because he/she could be losing business because of these rude ladies!

4 moms found this helpful

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C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

LOVE LOVE LOVE my pediatricians office!!!

I had a problem with one of the staff members and confronted her (surprised?). We had a rocky start - I DO NOT like to wait for my appointment...i will give them 15 minutes, then I start charging them for my time - no kidding - did it once and NOW? they let me know if the Dr is running behind so that I can decide whether I want to wait or not....

I would find another pediatrician if they can't nice on the phone!!

5 moms found this helpful

K.B.

answers from Milwaukee on

I feel very blessed because all the peditricians, nurses and office workers at my daughter's doctors office are great. Now maybe I have never seen them on an off day but we have never had an issue with any of them.

Maybe get a doctors note, or have them put something in your file (both computer or paper file) stating that YES you do have twins and YES schedule both at the same time. So they do not always have to ask.

Smile :) Good doctors are a start :)

2 moms found this helpful

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

Have you talked to your Pedi about the service you recieve from the office staff. I am sorry, but he is busy seeing patients all day and doing other "doctorly" duties to pay too much attention to the kind of customer service his office staff may/may not be giving. I would bring this up to him and advise him of your dissatisfaction.

2 moms found this helpful
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R.K.

answers from Boston on

I absolutely love every person that works at the pediaticans office all the peds, medical assistants, nurses, the billing dept I even like their answering service that pages the peds after hours :)

Edited: I don't have twins but I do have 2 kids and I always ask to have them scheduled back to back like a 9 & 915 maybe try that approach because the office staff sound like idiots!

1 mom found this helpful

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

Have you talked to the doctor about how rude her staff is? They are the first contact for that office and if they're rude and unfriendly and unprofessional, it reflects on her as well. It's very unlikely that they behave this way in front of her so I would let the office manager AND the doctor know about how they treat you when you call. They should be courteous and polite, and as a bonus helpful would be nice.

I would bet if you told your doctor that you were thinking of leaving the practice over the treatment by the phone staff they would take you seriously. And be specific in your examples. Put it in writing.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

My DD's Ped staff is wonderful. They're friendly, cheerful, give prompt reminder calls, and are quite helpful and accommodating if I need to fix an appointment, or reschedule one, or even when I have some questions on insurance or such. I think its an important factor to have with a Ped.
I hope those girls at your Ped improve, or if you are seriously considering changing a Ped, then you have better luck! Good luck, either ways! :)

1 mom found this helpful
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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

I would agree to talk with the office manager and possibly the pediatrician himself! I do know that when I schedule my kids appointments, they are not twins but have a birthday only 1 week apart so I make their check-ups for the same time, I have to make sure I get two apointments that are back to back. I have a friend with twins and her office, which is different, does the same thing. Are you calling with enough time to make sure you can get back to back appointments for your kids? This doesn't excuse their negative behavior by any means, but if I don't schedule a few months in advance then it's harder to find two times together. Anyway, I'd be hesitant to give up a good doc for their rude staff, but definitely tell someone soon! Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

H.G.

answers from Dallas on

That stinks! Its not easy to find good docs these days and I wouldn't let them stop me from going. My pedi has a very busy office and she has actually added a few nurse practioners along to help out and I can't stand any of them! The gals must have it in the system that I will see noone other than their doc. Period. I had to get a little verbal with them when they kept giving me whoever was available. Complain to the office manager and the doc, that's what I did. I hope it works out for y'all!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from Seattle on

I dont know if I like my son's pediatrician until tomorrow. I am hoping that I like them though. It's tough to find a good doctor, and I have gone through a few.

I would tell the doctor that you dont mean to be rude, but it feels like whenever you call, it is always a tough situation, and you are not always treated with a friendly attitude as you should. Then maybe she will do something about it. I am sure they wouldnt be happy to know what is going on.

Or ask the receptionist(s) yourself. Ask them if you are bothering them, or if they have time. I hate when they are rude over the phone, there is no reason for it, and for goodness sake you cant be the only mother with twins, so what is the big deal with scheduling them the same time and day?

If at anything, at least the pediatrician is nice, and you are all comfortable with her. I would rather have a good doctor and have rude receptionists instead of the other way around.

Best wishes.

1 mom found this helpful

E.S.

answers from Dayton on

Hmmm. I have a similar situation at my ped.'s office.
And from other mommies I've talked to this is just how it is.

So, no real advice here, just you are not alone.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.C.

answers from San Francisco on

We're thankful to have a good pediatrician's office with courteous and helpful staff who have been quite helpful with setting up twin appointments. Are you a member of a local Parents of Multiples Club (http://www.NOMOTC.org can help you find the club nearest you) - we found our ped's office through recommendations of other families in our multiples club - if your ped's office is so difficult about scheduling and the like, it wouldn't hurt to find out which other offices in your area are more "twin-friendly" Good luck!

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L.L.

answers from Topeka on

~Make a complaint
~Ask the Dr if there is really an issue scheduling the twins at the same time for well visits/if they are sick @ the same time
~I do like our office there are times when the call is short but I know what to say as fast as possible to get off then the nurse calls back they have an hr. to call back if not then call again but that has only happened once in the 8 yrs my kids have been pts.there.You like the staff other than the recipcionist I would definately make a complaint,but you have to understand to that they get calls every second of the day yes this is their job but they have bad days as us sahm ot working moms so if you feel it is truly at every time you have to call the office & they treat you this way ask them why they can't be a little nicer maybe then they will shut the lid or open wide & get themselves fired.

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D.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

I would so totally tell the doctor and whoever manages the office. Its just bad customer service going on there. You don't need it and as much as I hate to say it, but unless you're willing to put up with that, its either that or find a new pedi.

That sucks, makes me feel "spoiled" with kaiser (HMO). I have a pedi I really like, know a couple other pedi's in the same "office" and don't really have to deal with much of an office staff - most everything is automated. If i really choose to.. its just the nurse and the doctor!

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L.F.

answers from San Francisco on

Do they have those little cards that ask how are they doing? Call their superior and tell them they need some schooling in customer service and how to be nice to others....If not, make your own and name them individually in the letter so they are able to see specific incidences. GL

M

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