Personal cell number

[uptoolate]

It was not an option but I selectively gave my cell number to patients.

Yes this was me too.

[BruinBones]

Other doctors, yes.
Patients, no.
I have used Doximity Dialer to call patients on my cellphone where they see the office number on caller ID.

[Kamban]

Pretty much other physicians and even their NP and PA. Being accessible really helps me get consults.

A subsection of my patients get my phone number. I don't think I have had a patient abuse that. Many text me rather than call me. Sometimes I have even given my home number in case I had misplaced the cell somewhere in the house.

My major complaint is sometimes patients don't call me in the middle of the night when they should, thinking they should not disturb the poor solo physician. And come to the office at 8.30 AM, looking much sicker. I have admonished them for that and stated that the reason I have given my cell phone number is to try and use it for such emergencies.

[TheDangerZone]

I actually strongly dislike texting with patients. It’s too easy to text about every little thing. If it’s important then truly call me any time but I don’t want to be texting patients during my off time for things that can wait until regular clinic hours.

[NerveDoc]

When I'm on call, I have no option but to call back. Apparently, people save my cell phone number. I'm thinking of changing my number any time now.

[Lordosis]

A patient told me today that her primary care physician asked that I call her sometime to discuss the patients medications. I had a very slow clinic day, so just for kicks I decided to give it a try. After waiting on hold and going through an extensive teleprompter, then providing the patients name, home address, date of birth to identify the patient (the person who picked up would not pass along the message unless I confirmed the identity of the patient), I left my cell phone and waited for a call back in the morning. After I did not receive a call back in the morning, I was bored and decided to repeat the process in the afternoon. I probably spent some 20 minutes on hold/going through teleprompters trying to get through to this provider who never did call me back. I don't know why providers put up so many barriers to other physicians trying to get a hold of them to discuss patient care issues. I chose the word providers on purpose in this instance.

I have made it explicitly clear with my secretary that I should be interrupted when a physician calls looking to talk to me. I would hope others would do the same. But sadly it is such a pita to get in touch with some people.

I email with the hospitalists. I find that useful.

I hate texting. I hate it with friends. I hate it with family. I hate it at work. Just call me if you have something to say. Email me if it is not that important or timely.

[HikingDO]

I’m on call one month out of every four. I’d sooner give my phone number to a telemarking company than to a patient to avoid the risk of being called in those other three months.

[jacoavlu]

When I'm on call, I have no option but to call back. Apparently, people save my cell phone number. I'm thinking of changing my number any time now.

that’s what *67 is for right?

[jacoavlu]

this is not a Lordosis poll. There is no typo

[Lordosis]

this is not a Lordosis poll. There is no typo

I will pay more attention next time

[Cubicle]

Pick & choose. I tell patients to call the office; unfortunately if you google my name, my cell phone number comes up within the first 2 results.

I hand other doctors my business card & say call the office. They probably just lose the card.

I don't answer calls on my cell phone from unknown numbers. Unless I'm expecting an unknown call, like a utility, bank, or my lawyer as I don't know what number she will be calling from.

When I'm on call, the hospital will call me directly if the residents are no where to be found...

[Tim]

Financial planning, investment management and CPA services for medical and high-income professionals | 270-247-6087

Some moderators post it on the internet. Just saying.

[Lithium]

This is why I carry a pager and use google voice.

[StarTrekDoc]

When I'm on call, I have no option but to call back. Apparently, people save my cell phone number. I'm thinking of changing my number any time now.

Patient callbacks/ risk of personal number saved:
I used to use Google voice for callbacks. --still resulted often in nonanswers as caller ID catches Google voice.
Now with Doximity Dialer -- simple cakes as it IDs as our office # and rarely
-we use this a lot now with our own staff callbacks since a large telecommute portion of staff.

For fellow doc patients -- all of them get my direct cell#. Rarely abused, and we have a lot of doc patients in our practice. Most realize the value of away from clinic time and text at appropriate hours as first outreach or a need/concern of their own care.

[wideopenspaces]

I'm surprised at how many give their number to patients. As a psychiatrist that's a no go. I once had a patient in a manic episode figure out who my mom was, her phone number and called her. She very helpfully gave out my cell number. The patient would not stop calling me. I finally had the clinic call them to say if they called my cell phone one more time they would be fired from the clinic. Thankfully that did the trick. I use *67 or doximity to call patients from home. I'll give my cell to other physicians and therapists.