Poll: Does Your Doctor Prescribe Medication over the Phone?

No! I don't think I would go to a doctor who was willing to do this. If I could diagnose myself, I would not need a doctor. A refill, maybe, but not a new script.

M.

Usually it's for something we've already been seen for. Like if my child comes in for something and they don't want to prescribe something at the time and they say if symptoms don't go away in a few days to call back that way we don't have to go back in. That's the only time I've ever had a prescription over the phone. Or refills on medications such as birth control for me, inhaler or allergy meds for kids/spouse.

Hi K.,
My doctor does, but only because I've been going to her for years and she knows me and my situations/symptoms well. Also, only for common things that I'd had before and could recognize the symptoms. Like when I had mastitis and a couple times I had a UTI. Also once when I got strep throat she prescribed an antibiotic over the phone to take right away, but I also had to go see her the day after.
I liked it because then for the common little things I didn't have to take time off work to go see her and also pay for the visit.
I don't think it would be good if she prescribed things via phone for symptoms/conditions I'd never had before though. That would be scary because it would be like I was diagnosing myself! :)

My husband is an MD and does get paged in the middle of the night when he's on call, but primarily from the hospital. If he's paged by a patient (only through the paging service and not directly), it's typically because of symptoms that might require a visit to the ER and not for meds. That may because he's not an internist/GP.

When he does get a call for meds, if it's for a refill of a maintenance med, he will only prescribe enough to get a patient through a day or so, then have the office check the records and call in a refill if it's warranted or make the patient come in if they haven't kept up with follow-up visits. He has gotten requests for pain meds (narcotics). He either says no because another MD is usually taking care or pain management or will only give 1 dose and require the patient to come to the office the next day.

I think many people like to self-diagnose, particularly for something that requires antibiotics. My husband would never prescribe antibiotics over the phone.

My primary care physician has but only due to some highly unusual circumstances. In the one instance, I needed a script for meds that were supposed to be prescribed by a specialist but due to the specialist's office totally screwing everything up, my doctor spoke with me over the phone and agreed to send a prescription (he knew I had just started taking the medication, why I was taking it, and knew that it was a med that needed to be taken daily and other than coming to see him, there was no other way for me to get it). I told him I would gladly make an appointment to come see him but he said in this particular case it would not be necessary. It probably helps that I have a great relationship with my doctor and I'm not a 'stranger' to him.

Honestly, I'm more surprised at the lack of courtesy people have regarding this situation. Yes I know emergencies come up, but I would never dream of paging my doctor for a non life-threatening or non-essential issue after hours. I consider his office hours (7:00 - 5:00) to be appropriate times to call, and anything after that time can wait. If it needs attention THAT badly, then it is probably a life-threatening condition and I should seek emergency care. But that's just me...

I have had my doc prescribe over the phone when I had a bladder infection on a weekend. They were hesitant and asking a billion questions. I've also had my doc in the past tell me to go to the ER or Urgent care. I've done that before but mostly I'll just treat it until the office opens. During the summer we were out of town and I started having an allergic reaction to my thyroid medicine (Synthroid.) I wanted to be switched over to Armour Thyroid and found a pharmacy where we were staying who had it in stock. At first my doc wouldn't call me back, then didn't believe me that I was having an allergic reaction. I didn't want to go to the ER for this so I kept bugging my doc (during office hours.) He finally called me in the correct RX but really gave me a hard time about it.

I've only had to request over the phone RX's two or three times so it doesn't seem like a biggie BUT I would be annoyed if I were a doctor and constantly had patients requesting over the phone RX's.

Well, many moms think they have a medical degree!!!! I mean we see the symptoms and we KNOW what is wrong, plus we want immediate gratification for our little princes and princesses - we hate to see them in so much discomfort!!!!

Having said that - the ONLY time I have had a Dr prescribe over the phone is if it's a 2nd round of antibiotics because 7 days after our first visit the ear pain / UTI symptoms / dark yellow snot has returned. And really - these types of prescription phone calls shouldn't be after-hours.

NEVER EVER EVER have I had a Dr prescribe anything for a first round - nor would I want them to - but then I don't want antibiotics for everything the way some do - that is what creates the superbug. We wouldn't have MRSA if we hadn't over-prescribed and created strains that are anti-biotic resistant.

Also parents who are looking for a middle of the night are parents who are in 'panic mode' - COMPLETELY UNDERSTANDABLE. But they are tired, having been up with sick kid for however long and they just want to make their baby feel better.

Your husband might want to bring up having the answering service let the patients know that one of the things the Drs won't do when they return the after hours page is prescribe without a visit. That way at least the parents have heard it from another source ahead of time!

Absolutely no. Our drs will not prescribe over the phone.

I am only allowed to get authorization for refills on existing meds for already determined conditions, but even then, our drs want to see you once a year to see if things are the same, how the meds are working for you, etc.

Perhaps your husband's office needs to post something in the office, on the website, on ALL receipts, etc. that states this policy. I think people have a harder time arguing if it's CLEARLY posted. Our offices (mine and the peds) all say it on their voicemail system too. As in, "If you think you need a prescription medication, it will require an office visit. We are not allowed to prescribe meds over the phone." This part of the VM is part of the "required listening" before any choices to "push #3" is available.

i know im a little late on this. But my ob doctor did when i was pregnant because i came down with a horrible sore throat that wouldnt go away with the certain over the counter med. that i could take so she told me what she was going to give me a prescription for and called it in to my pharmacy. so it was nice to not have to drive all the way to her office then have to wait around an hour to just get a prescription and plus i was not feeling well at all.

***Also if your husband did prescribe a prescription in the middle of the night there wouldnt even be a pharmacy open to give it to him****

Not any more. Our pediatricians office used to prescribe antibiotics over the phone, but now they won't. My doctor won't even call in a refill of a prescription I already have (muscle relaxers that I take very sparingly to help with migraines) with out an appointment. The only time I've ever had a doc call in a refill was for a skin condition that I have that I will never be rid of. The only time it's been a really big inconvenience was when my daughter and husband had throat infections on the 4th of July. We had to go to the after hours clinic, which was far more expensive than going to the regular doctor. I can absolutely understand why doctors can't prescribe any type of medicine with out seeing the patient. So, while it can be an inconvenience, I'm totally ok with it.

No she does not~ frusterating at times if it is another ear infection~but I understand... the er so expensive with insurance~but I always am thankful for walk in after hrs clinic with childrens they charge like a regular dr. Visit wish they were open later than 10:30.

My daughter and I tested positive for strep last week. A few hours after my daughter's positive test on Friday, her brother was running a fever, vomitting and showing other symptoms of strep. It was evening, but before 10. Had it been after 10 we would have just waited until morning to call and tried to keep the kid comfortable. When we called, the doc told us what amount of our daughter's rx we could give her brother (he had been on that same antibiotic before so we knew there were no allergies to it). And in the morning he sent a prescription over to the pharmacy. I really don't think he would prescribe without seeing the patient otherwise and I think that is pretty smart.

Hi,
Mine does and I am very thankful to him. I clearly describe my symptoms and he does not have to see me!!! But it happens maybe one time a year.

Only one time did my OBGYN prescribe meds over the phone. I was pregnant with my second, and I knew for a fact that I had a UTI. She called in a RX for me. But, she also made me go to the hospital to make sure that I wasn't having contractions. I have had pink eye several times and I know what that is, my regular dr always wants to see me.

Our ped dr. never and I mean never prescribes meds without seeing us.

My friend's husbands dr, a general prac.,calls in RX for him all of the time. She thinks that's crazy! He can call this guy anytime and gets in touch with him, not a service. Her husband will tell him what's wrong and the dr will call in a RX. He just has to go in for a follow up. I think that's kind of crazy but also nice.

No. Never. We must go in and be seen if it is something new.
I am grateful for this, because I have thought I needed a certain type of medication and once I was seen by the physician or Nurse Practitioner, I was incorrect..

It just seems like there is to much liability prescribing over the phone..People are strange and he may need to make sure they are not for example drunk or have other symptoms that would lead him to believe there is something else going on..

I don't think my doctor would prescribe over the phone normally, but once we were on vacation in another state and I was 99% sure my daughter had strep. Because the Dr. had a history with me and knew that I am cautious about giving meds, she agreed to fill a prescription over the phone. I can't imagine it would be a good practice on a regular basis, but in this situation it was so helpful. I can't imagine why people are calling all night for prescriptions though. At that point, they could just try keep the child comfortable and bring them in first thing in the AM. Perhaps your husband's practice should send out a protocol notice to patients letting them know when they should and should not call the emergency line and making it clear that they do not prescribe over the phone.

I've only had him change a rx if it wasn't working or if it was something he's prescribed in the past. Otherwise...no I have to go in to the office.

Besides that...literally the only time he prescribed over the phone without seeing me was tamiflu when my daughter was in the hospital and had swine flu. I was pregnant at the time so it was pretty urgent I get the tamiflu but I was also NOT leaving my older child in the hospital so I could go to the doctors.

for my children if they have been seen in the last six months and it is a recurring prescription - yes.
My 3yo actually had to go in for a pink eye because he was 3. If he was 4 they would have called it in, per the nurse.
However, last christmas we were in a different state and my son needed his breathing meds and my MIL FP called in a prescription for us and had no qualms about it.
So I think it depends on the doctor, the prescription and how friendly they are with you as a patient.

I have never called my doctor for anything like that.

I have called my son's pediatrician at times to discuss what is going on with the nurses, during business hours, to know if I should bring him in versus waiting. (first time mom wondering to worry about a cold or not type of things). The first time I had called to talk to the nurse I was away on vacation and my son had green stuff coming out of his ears. I was not calling for antibiotics, more for advice, but they volunteered them and called them into a nearby pharmacy. I was extremely shocked but took them because I was away. We already had an appointment scheduled for the next week and followed up at that time. Another time I called for suspected pink eye and I wanted to come in but they couldn't accommodate me that day and they again offered to just call in a prescription. I questioned that one but decided to try the meds for a day or two before going in due to my schedule.

I don't think it is a good idea but it was convenient for me. As a medical professional myself I think there many instances where lay people assume what is going on and it can be more serious when evaluated by a professional. Perhaps in the long run I was doing my son a disservice. I would have never asked for it.

I do feel that if it is a chronic problem for a well established client that may be an exception.

Yes, my doc does and I have to say it bothers me. I wish he would see my children first. I do understand that there are times when they "know" what my kids have as they have already seen 25 that day with the same symptoms, but it still bothers me. I used to live in a large city and now live in a VERY small town, so I guess that is just one of the differences.

It depends. Our doctor knows us well. He does not prescribe lightly and usually we must go in, but there are occasions our doctor feels comfortable prescribing over the phone. For example if it were a weekend and my back went out I feel he would be okay prescribing a muscle relaxant because I NEVER ask for anything like that or pain meds.

Our peditrician has. Off hours they respond until 10pm. I've called when we've been on vacation and my daughter had just finished antibiotics a week before. It was a Sunday afternoon. It was nice to be able to do that but I don't have a problem going into an emergency care center either with a follow-up visit when I return home.
Regardless I think there should be guidelines and after a certain hour if you need something that badly, you should go to emergency.........

It really depends on the specific situation. Isn't getting phone calls from a patient with a health issue part of being a doctor? I don't assume I can get a prescription over the phone but if your kid is screaming with an ear infection and you know that's what it is, does it make sense to wait and come into the office? What if it's the weekend? What if your doctor is having his "Wednesday" off? I felt very annoyed at a doctor who made me come in every time when I had a recurring urinary tract infection that was extremely painful. I felt like, really? I have to suffer another 24 hours or so because...?
ON the other hand, my husband had a doctor for a while who would prescribe meds at the drop of a hat, including giving him samples of antidepressants etc. I thought that bordered on quackery.
If something is a real emergency I would go to the emergency room, but I disagree with some of the other posters about going to the emergency room for non-emergency situations. It clogs up the system for people with real emergencies, and is cost prohibitive.

I sure hope my doctor does!! I am pregnant and nonstop vomitting.. I was prescribed zofran for my last pregnancy, and when his office opens Im going to call and ask if he will call it in for me. I dont see him until next Wednesday and I dont think Im going to make it until then!! I do not agree with people diagnosing themselves, but dont you think in my situation it would be ok? I hope so because Im dyin here!

No, my doctor doesn't prescribe over the phone and I respect him for that. I would never dream of asking for a prescription over the phone though. The ONLY exception has been when we've already been to the dr and something gets worse. He is a Family Practice dr. He is not a prescription pusher in any situation - he tells us what our options are.

I think it is irresponsible to prescribe over the phone. How many over-reacters, how many hypochondriac's do you know? We all know lots of them and they would rather over medicate themselves and their whole familes than go without. They think they know what's wrong with them - but, they are not doctors...I think it is a bad idea.

Also, it should go without saying that people shouldn't be calling their dr all hours of the night for refills of stuff - people need to be responsible.

So, I respect your husband and his group of dr's about their strict policy.

Only for maintenance meds. I am asthmatic. I have been prescribed over the phone in the past for repeat illness. But otherwise no. I have a heavy duty med that is my last resort for excruciating and persistent headaches. But due to the nature of the med I would never dream of asking for a phone script. And for the record I would NEVER expect to have the aforementioned prescriptions dealt with in the middle of the night. If things were that necessary that is what the emergency room is for.

I think that it also depends on the meds. Mine will for pinkeye, and also for my sons asthma meds (although not for the first time, just for refills, since it's an ongoing condition). They won't for something like a sore throat or an ear infection. I am glad that they don't have a blanket policy, and instead do it based on the medication, age of the patient, and need for the med (as in, is it potentially more dangerous NOT to give it).

The other thing to consider is cost for people. If it's the middle of the night and the only option is the ER, that is going to set back even people with insurance a few hours and $100, since they won't be admitted. I would encourage your husband to rethink his policy, only because people might go a whole weekend without needed medication because they don't have $100 to spend to get a prescription. I have sometimes had this issue with diflucan, which my OB will prescribe over the phone. Obviously sometimes he can't prescribe, but just something to think about.

In extreme situations my drs. have prescribed medications over the phone. One time being for an epipen for my daughter who we suspect has allergies to food (obviously in case of emergency only) and another time for myself because I have chronic ear infections and I see my dr. on a regular basis and she knows how often I see her (we are on a first name basis! :( However, I only call the dr. during office hours.

Typically I like to see the dr before getting a script. That said, my OB will prescribe for a UTI - I've had so many of them, that I call, give him my symptoms and he will call in a script. BUT, I would NEVER call him in the middle of the night for that! I would absolutely wait for office hours.

Mine usually don't, since if they haven't seen you they may not being treating you correctly. Now after talking to the doctor about meds last year, I did call about a month after to see about getting a script called in, but those were for prenatals and I had talked to the doctor about them. Antibiotics have to be seen for to make sure you get the right one.

When I worked at the vet's office it was usually the same thing. Of course there are exceptions, for a recurring problem, which is usually more of a refill then anything at that point.

Growing up my doctor would sometimes, but I got the same cough every year within about 3 days of the same time and after going in 4-5 years in a row my mom would call and I would cough on the phone and they would usually just call the meds in, as long as I had been in within the past year for a check up. Before that I would go in several times during the two week period the cough lasted, since they were trying to figure out what was causing it and what could treat it. It did save me when I was in college and didn't want to go to a doctor there, that my mom called and got my meds and mailed them to me. My doctor at the time also did say it was not standard practice, but since they had finally figured out what worked they would do it, but if there was no improvement I needed to be seen, besides no one liked listening to me cough and it was constant.

Sorry to hear he is getting paged for meds at night, would be nice if there was someone to intercept some of those calls and say meds cannot be done over the phone and make an appt for the patient.

There should be an automatic message when patients call that tells them that if they are looking for a prescription or a refill they must call during office hours. If the patient is persistent and tells the paging service that they must talk to the doctor then the paging service needs to do a better job of vetting these aggressive people.
Regarding your poll, I would never call any of my families' doctors outside of office hours unless it was a life threatening situation.

I have been with my doctor since he was a resident, and I was pre-med. We have a great relationship and he knows I won't call him after hours unless it's serious.

The only time my doc prescribes over the phone is if it's for my asthma (sorry, but I am notorious for letting my emergency inhaler expire, I don't use it enough) or for Strep if other families members have it. My son had reoccurring strep all last spring so if anyone else came down with symptoms he would readily prescribe us antibiotics over the phone.

I truly think it's a case by case basis and everyone's different. Not to sound snarky, but you kind of signed up for middle of the night calls when you married a doctor and whether they prescribe them or not people will still call because they need the piece of mind.

only for a problem he's already prescribed a med for recently. he's pretty conservative, but he also knows us and that we're pretty conservative with medicines too.
khairete
S.

No, my doctor will only renew prescriptions & personally I feel that a doctor should not diagnose and/or treat over the phone. It is both dangerous for the patient and for him. What are these people thinking??? I guess this is what our society has become :(

No, my doctors will not prescribe over the phone, but will certainly renew over the phone. I don't like the idea of prescribing without seeing us! I know that my pediatrician is an exception to most rules, but he sees kids on Saturdays for "emergencies" and will always return calls, no matter what time. If it's an emergency, he'll either meet us at the office or come to the house- yes, he's come to our house at 5:00am when my son spiked a fever and had severe diarrhea. As a psychologist who spent a lot of time "on call", it's annoying to get calls in the middle of the night, but that's the reality of the field.

No, however, if I take one of my kids in for pink eye and then one of the other gets it, I can call and give the details. They check the chart and will prescribe the drops then but otherwise, they insist on seeing them.
When I took birth control, I could call for a renewal but I think that is different and they would not call in a renewal beyond the yearly visit.

I would never page a doctor in an attempt to get a scrip over the phone...I am not a doctor myself so I wouldn't be able to make an accurate diagnosis as to the cause of the pain/discomfort of myself or children. Even if it was a reoccurring illness I would not page the doctor after 8pm...I would set something up (like refills!) with the doctor beforehand. If it is 1am and my kid wakes up with a temp of 103 and crying hysterically and I felt like I needed a doctor's opinion I would take them to one of the 3 urgent care facilities in my area. I do page the doctor on the weekend during the day if I need answers to questions or some guidance (but still would not expect/want a scrip because of a phone conversation)

Yes my doctor and my husband's doctor does most of the time. If we've already been treated for it, they are more easily willing to do it, then let us know we will have to come in next time. However, there has been times that they said we would have to come in.
On a personal opinion, I think they should do it, a lot of time I feel they have us go in just to get that co-pay. Sorry, if this offends, I'm on a very tight budget and sometimes I cannot afford to go in and see the doctor and get the meds.

It depends on the situation for our pediatrician. My daughter has a long history of sinus/resp infections so there have been times that she has called in a rx over the phone. However, I have never called her in the middle of the night for those calls. I work in a drs office and they tend to not call in rx over the phone, but again it depends on the patient.

Repeat prescriptions yes. I mean different from a refill. But yes they have.

Nope, and although deep down inside there is a part of me that wishes they would....I know thats unrealistic and I am glad a Dr wants to view the problem for himself. (I also have no problems ever getting sick visits on the day that I call. So that helps)

My docs usually will prescribe over the phone, and I don't think I'd stay with a doc who wouldn't. This is of course given that I'm a regular patient who the doc has seen recently, and it's usually a pretty general script, or one that I've been on before. But I've never called outside of office hours for it... if I'm that desperate I should be at the hospital or a 24-hour urgent care clinic.

My doctors (me & my husband's doctor & my daughter's pediatrician) usually will not prescribe over the phone. I would never have my doctor paged for any reason other than an absolute emergency. I may feel this way because I worked at 2 different dr's offices for almost 10 years and none of them would prescribe over the phone and people would scream at us, how "unreasonable" and "ridiculous" this was! So, I personally have no problem with seeing a doctor and not prescribing over the phone. Hope that helps!