Over worked, poorly compensated, and poorly educated.

There is little money in those doctors' offices to pay support staff. Things are bad, look at your bils and see what the insurers pay these practices.

Anonymous wrote:Some medical receptionists are rude. Some are not rude. Much like people in any other line of work.

I usually try to be extremely polite and apologetic to medical receptionists, because

1. It's a lousy job (see the PPs at 8:59 and 9:04)
2. They are more likely to be polite to me if I am polite to them.

+1!
I was a medical receptionist during college and you probably wouldn't believe how poorly some people spoke to me on the phone. I was always very polite and tried to accommodate people's requests, if possible, but some things were truly out of my control. You have people that walk in 20 minutes late (without calling to let us know) and they don't understand why they can't be seen RIGHT NOW! Our docs generally ran pretty close to being on-time, so arriving 20 minutes late meant pushing all the other appointments back.

We have a wonderful dermatologist in Arlington (and i bet many can guess who he is) and his staff is pleasant and competent. They have also been with him for years. He sets the tone in the office and they follow. Our internist is similar I think it flows from the doctor. Otherwise they are horrid.

Some medical receptionists are rude. Some are not rude. Much like people in any other line of work.

I usually try to be extremely polite and apologetic to medical receptionists, because

1. It's a lousy job (see the PPs at 8:59 and 9:04)
2. They are more likely to be polite to me if I am polite to them.

Because they can be, and no one stops them. Presumably the money isn't great so drs are not exactly choosing frmo the creme de la creme.

Anonymous wrote:My kids are sick. Very. The last thing I need right now is a snobby attitude from the receptionist at the doctor's office.

Thanks for a space to rant.

Peace be with you.

When we went to Pediatric Village, the receptionists were extremely rude. It's one of the reasons, along with a long wait every time, that we quit the practice.

OP, what doctor is it? There is a huge turnover in receptionists. Also, many parents add to the lack of customer service, as receptionists are just tired of hearing about how urgent their needs are. It ruins it for everyone. If its so urgent, go to the ER.

At our peds, they had to start charging people because there were so many attempted walk ins. The attempted walk ins ruin it for everyone, because they create a backlog and everyone becomes late. Most of us don't have a day to wait in the doctors office - due to one or two snowflakes that have to be seen nooooooow. Before you know it, their friend start doing the same thing, and again, they ruin it for everyone.

If you see someone attempting to walk in without an appointment, give them an earful. We all have emergencies.

Their one little power in life is to be rude to a sick person.

I don't think ours are, but I can imagine that if every person you came into contact with thought their problem was the most important thing in the world it might get hard to treat everyone with the level of consideration they thought they were due.

I used to work in doctors offices and PP's post about them being un/under-educated and bitter is somewhat true (although I was in college at the time my coworkers were like this).

Also, they tend to be underpaid and treated very poorly by the doctors so if you sense tension in the office 99% of the time that's why. How the doctor treats you in the exam room is not a reflection of how they treat their staff. Just food for thought.

But still no excuse to be rude to the patients, I NEVER was, I actually adored our patients.

Perhaps it is your perception because you are, rightfully, concerned about your children's health.

Plus the job pays little, is boring, and attracts low skilled people.

With one exception (who has now retired), I hate the medical office gatekeepers. They make it so hard. OP, hope you are all well soon.

Maybe it's you.

because those who usually go into medical reception do it because there is nothing else for them to do....they are uneducated, bitter and angry and think the world owes them.

I have the same experiences as you do, and it is rampant. not matter how great the doctor is, the support staff are usually nasty and unskilled.

My kids are sick. Very. The last thing I need right now is a snobby attitude from the receptionist at the doctor's office.

Thanks for a space to rant.

Peace be with you.