answering emergency calls
Last reviewed 01/2018
- the commonest reason for serious complaints against GP's is failure to visit
- requests for 'telephone advice only' may be just timidity to ask for a visit
- unnecessary-seeming requests may indicate a previous bad experience - so find out what's worrying the patient
- gentle patient education can be effective but ALWAYS after the problem has been adequately dealed with
- talk to the patient directly whenever possible, not through intermediaries
- spend as much time on the phone as you would in a routine consultation if you don't intend to see the patient
- state when you're likely to be there if a visit is required