A medical office supervisor explained their phone system to me after I complained that they never answer the phone. “We answer all calls. When you call, the doctor’s assistant will answer unless she’s busy. Then the phones of the other assistants will ring and one of them will answer unless they all are busy, in which case the call will transfer to voicemail and your call will be returned within 24 hours.”
This is a system designed to fail, since no one has responsibility or an incentive to answer any call. I switched to another doctor.
At least one of my doctors have a phone greeting that begins “please listen carefully as our menu options have changed”—and it’s been that way for over a year without further changes.
I like the internet providers whose messages say: “all operators are busy, hang up and use our on-line chat”. Not very helpful when you’re calling to say that you can’t get on line.
I work in a medical office and we have an automated system. There are times when 20 operators couldn’t keep up with the demand and others when a single one is bored. I have a direct line to my desk and that’s the number I tell my patients to call if they need me. I often get calls for other people when folks are confounded by the phone tree.
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member almost 5 years ago
I hear you, Frank. I hate those automated phone systems with a cold, unreasoning passion.
whahoppened almost 5 years ago
I would think voice decoding is smart enough now to route your call without making you listen to number choices.
david_42 almost 5 years ago
Changed dentists, now the tree consists of a single branching, instead of seven levels!
HappyDog/ᵀʳʸ ᴮᵒᶻᵒ ⁴ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵘⁿ ᵒᶠ ᶦᵗ Premium Member almost 5 years ago
A medical office supervisor explained their phone system to me after I complained that they never answer the phone. “We answer all calls. When you call, the doctor’s assistant will answer unless she’s busy. Then the phones of the other assistants will ring and one of them will answer unless they all are busy, in which case the call will transfer to voicemail and your call will be returned within 24 hours.”
This is a system designed to fail, since no one has responsibility or an incentive to answer any call. I switched to another doctor.
Bill Löhr Premium Member almost 5 years ago
At least one of my doctors have a phone greeting that begins “please listen carefully as our menu options have changed”—and it’s been that way for over a year without further changes.
waltermgm almost 5 years ago
Sparks – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FOs9_l33gY
cuzinron47 almost 5 years ago
That would be confirmed if you ever had to call AT&T for support. Their philosophy is to wait you out and figure you’ll eventually give up.
P51Strega almost 5 years ago
I like the internet providers whose messages say: “all operators are busy, hang up and use our on-line chat”. Not very helpful when you’re calling to say that you can’t get on line.
Saucy1121 Premium Member almost 5 years ago
I work in a medical office and we have an automated system. There are times when 20 operators couldn’t keep up with the demand and others when a single one is bored. I have a direct line to my desk and that’s the number I tell my patients to call if they need me. I often get calls for other people when folks are confounded by the phone tree.