Many of my doctors allow using their portal to message the reception desk. The desk then calls me to schedule or replies with a list of times available. Either way, I don't have to call. I also do this for med refills and following up on test results, etc... If I know that I will need a follow up, I try to schedule it before I leave the previous appointment (if it's an in person visit, which mine usually are since I don't have reliable enough internet for telehealth), which also allows me to avoid the call.
Love these workarounds so much — you're right, patient portals can be a really good tool for meeting ourselves halfway with calls (and sometimes, depending on the provider, we can avoid the phone entirely!). Scheduling appointments in person is A+!
Many of my doctors allow using their portal to message the reception desk. The desk then calls me to schedule or replies with a list of times available. Either way, I don't have to call. I also do this for med refills and following up on test results, etc... If I know that I will need a follow up, I try to schedule it before I leave the previous appointment (if it's an in person visit, which mine usually are since I don't have reliable enough internet for telehealth), which also allows me to avoid the call.
Love these workarounds so much — you're right, patient portals can be a really good tool for meeting ourselves halfway with calls (and sometimes, depending on the provider, we can avoid the phone entirely!). Scheduling appointments in person is A+!