Seeing specialized medical professionals often means wrestling with their busy schedules. These are popular people, people! But, hearing that the doctor you want to see is booked for months, doesn't mean you actually have to wait months to see him or her. Try these three appointment accelerators.
One note first, though: Use these tactics only when it's really necessary for your child's care. There are a lot of kids who need support - so, if you can wait - wait.
1: Anyone else you can talk to?
When you call a general appointment line, you'll ususally get a coordinator that has the general schedule. Often times - especially for specialists - there is an administrative assistant that may have access to other openings or flexibility that the general appointment line doesn't. So, if you're hitting a roadblock with scheduleing, you should ask if there's anyone else you can talk to, or any other way to find additional options.
2: Use another doctor's request
With a team of specialists, sometimes one doctor refers you to another and wants you seen on a short time frame. For example, the neurologist wants you to see the geneticist in the next four weeks, but the geneticist's next opening is six months out. Sometimes, you can ask the referring doctor to put in a request or you, or to reach out on your behalf. This can be a massive help, and also help with coordiation amongst the providers on your team.
3: Be persistent
Add yourself to the cancellation list, and call every week to see where you're at. Sometimes, you just have to go on a cancellation list, but making sure you stay on top of that list is helped by follow-up. So, ask for the name of the person who manages that list, add their number to your phone, and use it frequently.
Roadblocks when trying to schedule an appointment can not only be frustrating, but can lead to delays in your child's care. So, when it's needed, push to get scheduled sooner and you might be surprised at what you can make happen.
Have another tactic to share? Add it to the comments below!
