When I left a large group and went solo I had an answering service, pager and cell phone. At first I had the office phones forward to the answering service after hours and it worked pretty well. I was still getting a bunch of stupid after-hours calls though. Then I quit forwarding the phones to the service and instead put an answering machine on the office lines which basically gives the office hours, says go to the ER if this is an emergency, call during business hours if this is a pharmacy, and, the number for the answering service if you absolutely MUST speak to the doctor. This tiny, inexpensive maneuver shaved off countless unnecessary after hours calls that I actually get. Many people leave messages on the machine and only a handful go ahead and call the service to have them call me. I have a terrific service and they will actually give patients messages for me such as, this can wait until Monday, please call back then (they always run it past me first though). Now, since I also no longer go to the hospital, I may go a week without receiving any after hour calls. Life is good.
Leslie
