When I ask for a doctor's appointment, the secretary immediately asks to schedule a phone call consultation first. I have had to insist and discuss my medical issue. I have had this experience often as well as hearing from many others having a similar experience.  Even though we are now past the restrictive Covid19 rules and doctors have been told to start seeing patients in person: 

"Given broad vaccination coverage, COVID-19 should no longer pose a barrier to in-person practice. It is the joint position of the Provincial Health Officer, Ministry of Health, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC that health care that includes in-person assessments and preventative health measures (such as Pap tests and childhood immunizations) is an important determinant of health. With appropriate measures in place, we expect all practitioners to resume routine in-person visits based on clinical needs and patient preferences." ● Dr Bonnie Henry 

Many doctors and specialists want to screen you first before they see you Face to Face. This should no longer be an acceptable way to operate because:

1. We now have changed Covid19 rules and protocols and if you can be seen after the phone call, you can be seen period.

2. A patient knows they need to be seen or wants physically and/or psychologically the in-person interaction. One should not have to divulge personal medical information with receptionists and discuss/argue or wait for a doctor to agree about scheduling an appointment. Medicine was never meant to be done over the phone. It can be, but it is ultimately the patient's right to see a doctor. 

3. We are tax payers and we don't want to waste money and time by going through phone calls and then the government ends up paying double fees when we go in. 

4. Mistakes can happen as you can't always diagnose something correctly by phone. Studies show that better care is done in person. 

5. Elderly sometimes don't hear properly or understand or are not as alert and need to be in person with someone who can ask questions on their behalf. This is more convenient and less dangerous. 

6. Phone calls may be appropriate as follow ups or for minor things or if far from doctor but you can't take blood pressure, hight and weight, see outstanding tests that may be missed etc via phone and these things may be important to monitoring our health. 

* One finding from a poll by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard that surveyed patients in August and September. Around 42% of respondents said someone in their household had used telehealth. Of those, 82% reported satisfaction, yet nearly two-thirds — 64% — would have preferred to see their nurse or doctor in person.