This content conforms to AAFP CME criteria. See FPM CME Quiz. Nearly five years ago I learned that the cell phone can be a surprisingly powerful tool for family physicians. I had just assumed the role of medical director at a student health center when I saw a medical student with a sexually transmitted infection STI that I thought warranted a second opinion.

The chairman of the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, whom I had not met, was the local expert on STIs. I called him, and he offered to work the patient in right away. I also gave him my cell phone number and told him to call me tomorrow if he is not better, or if he is worried. I gave out my number tentatively at first, but over time I have become comfortable doing it. I simply write it on a prescription pad or a business card and hand it to the patient as part of the planning at the conclusion of the visit.

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I make it clear that they have my permission to call anytime after hours if they are worried about their symptoms. Intuitively, physicians do not want to give out their personal phone numbers to patients. We expect that too many patients would be intrusive and inappropriate.

I find the opposite; only once or twice a month do I get after-hours phone calls on my cell phone. Only one patient, one time, blatantly abused this privilege. Otherwise, these calls have always been appropriate. My experience has been so positive that I now give out my cell phone number three or four times per day. I've found that giving out my cell phone number offers patients as much healing and comfort as any other part of the treatment plan.

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Most patients come to their office visit worried. Patients need, want and deserve reassurance. Giving my patients direct access to me by phone sends at least two important messages.

It tells them that I am truly a partner in their care. Sharing a personal phone number with our patients is empowering for us. We want and enjoy rapport with our patients. Enabling them to contact us directly increases our bond and promotes understanding and trust, which is professionally gratifying. We instinctively protect professional boundaries to manage our stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

While some would think that giving out your cell phone number crosses these boundaries, I have found that it decreases my stress to know that my sick and worried patients can easily reach me if needed. Furthermore, it helps to reduce liability risk. This is why I note in the chart the date and time I give out my cell phone number.

I also keep at hand a formatted note pad and use it to jot down conversations that happen after hours. I file these notes in patients' records. Relying on my cell phone rather than an answering service has been a positive change.

Answering services tend to be impersonal and inconsistent because the calls are triaged and the on-call physician may not know the patient's problems and concerns.

I do understand that the answering service is a useful buffer for phd thesis related to stock market tired, overworked large cap market capitalization, but the system is not completely reassuring to either the physician or the patient.

A study conducted at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania 1 reinforces two findings of my own: First, giving out your cell phone number fosters the patient's perception that the physician is more caring. Second, patients generally demonstrate restraint and respect for its appropriate use.

In a conversation with one of the authors of the study, Kingsley Chin, MD, a surgeon who is now in private practice, I asked if he still gives out his number to patients and if he would recommend this to other physicians. He, too, emphasized that his patients trading index options by james b bittman less anxiety knowing that they could call him.

He has never had an unnecessary call and says the majority of patients apologize when they call him and express gratitude for the tsx rolling stock option plan. Each physician's patient population, practice style and personal life is unique, and the decision to give out your cell phone number must be balanced with a number of considerations.

There isn't a standard policy for cell phone use for physicians to follow. It will likely work for most physicians and their patients, but for others it won't. For example, I am in the process of changing job assignments and soon will be giving family medicine care to a population of patients with mental illness. A psychiatrist colleague has advised me against giving out my cell phone number to these patients because of boundary and transference problems, a point of view I will strongly consider.

For physicians who would like to try this approach but aren't certain that their patients phone number for option c printout respond appropriately, I would suggest forex alerts it with one or two trik profit forex tanpa indikator, then gradually adding more.

You can always abandon it if it turns out not to work. My STI consultant and I agree that it is physicians who have the most to gain from sharing their cell phone numbers with their patients.

The reduction in liability risk, improved quality of care and increased rapport with our patients has enhanced our satisfaction with practice.

I hope more physicians will try it, and I invite those who do to send a letter to the editor of FPM to inform others about how it worked for them. Already a member or subscriber? Dillaway is an assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, in Newark. Chin KR, Adams SB Jr, Khoury L, Zurakowski D.

Patient behavior if given their surgeon's cellular telephone number. Clin Orthop Relat Res. All comments are moderated and will be removed if they violate our Terms of Use. This content is owned by the AAFP.

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The Importance of Closing the Loop. The Importance of Clos Why I Give My Cell Phone Number to My Patients.

You may gain more rapport without losing sleep. Article Sections Introduction Taking a chance Reassuring the worried patient Empowering the physician Skipping the answering service Will it work for you? Abstract Taking a chance Reassuring the worried patient Empowering the physician Skipping the answering service Will it work for you?

STUDYING HOW PATIENTS RESPOND A study conducted at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania 1 reinforces two findings of my own: Will it work for you? Read the full article. Get immediate access, anytime, anywhere. Choose a single article, issue, or full-access subscription.

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See My Options close. To see the full article, log in or purchase access. About the Author Dr. More in FPM Related Articles Getting the Most From Your Phone System Improving Patient Communication in No Time Why I Fired My Family Doctor Editor's Collections Access to Care Patient-Centered Care Practice Essentials Related Topic Searches Communication Patient satisfaction After-hours care Telephone management.

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