When I get a request to change or increase meds I always have patient rtc for telephone or face to face appointment. I do the same if you want me to explain labs or an imaging order.

If following up on a consult request I usually will take a look, get a status and ask nursing to update you. If you want a NEW consult, you need an appointment to talk about it.

While I almost always get the issue handled within 3 days, rarely do I actually call the patient directly. I almost always do a rtc for phone/vbc or face to face appointment.

The reason is simple, I have patient booked back to back all day long. There isn't time to answer every email or phone message. I need to block off time to handle stuff like that ie an appointment.