sj, I'd say that you should mention the issue to your doctor once you do get in contact with her. She should apologize and talk to her assistant.

I don't know what the standard is for a doctor calling back, but I would generally expect no later than the next day.

sj, You should definitely hear back right away about uti symptoms. I once waited a day to call my doctor about uti symptoms and got chastised, because she said I should get on antibiotics ASAP.

As for the best way to handle it, I would just keep calling, and if she gets annoyed, so be it. And I'd tell your doctor when you get a chance.

I've had issues with my doctor's office staff before, and one way I got around it was that my doctor had a pager number for use after hours, and I would deliberately call after hours and leave a message on her pager. I would make it clear that it wasn't an emergency, but I knew that the message got to her that way. Kind of passive-aggressive, but I did what I had to do for a little while. Things are much better with the office staff now.

Speaking of doctors, it took over a week and three (maybe four?) calls, but I finally got my doctor's note faxed from my neurologist about five minutes ago. I'm cleared to drive state vehicles at work! Woo hoo!

smonster, once a guy with whom I was trying to have a torrid affair gave me a gift... a designer keychain. Just from his shyness and proud little flourish, I expected to open the box and find jewelry. Of course I told him I liked it, but it was ugly. I think your guy did better!

That's great, amyth!

smonster, I have found that trying to interpret the thought process behind gifts only leads to driving yourself crazy.

Calli, thanks! Also, I meant to say last night but I fell asleep: I'm glad to hear that there are positive things happening for you at work.

Thank you, amyth.

smonster, it sounds like he's trying to please you - nice dinner, something silver that's actually useful. So ... enjoy the dinner, the company, and use the wine stopper (you actually have wine left in the bottle? huh). I guess I'm saying enjoy the good and don't try to figure out what's going on in his mind.

What's going on in anyone else's mind is always a mystery and rarely what I expect it is. Todd's advice is sound.

sj, I would, if the assistant continues to be an ass-istant, call three days in a row: Hi, this is sj, logging the required second-day call to reach Dr. Wassname. Hi, this is sj, logging the required third-day call to reach Dr. Wassname. Having completed the hoop-jumping, I'll expect Dr. Wassname to get back to me today. Thank you for your assistance. Asshat.

But then I never claimed to be nice. Or logical. Or nice.

Beverly, I have done all that, minus the asshat. I am going to call back in a couple minutes. I'm not waiting until tomorrow.