Building a good rapport

Remember that the doctor's staff plays a key role in your medical care, and you need to learn how the clinic functions. It's very helpful to build up a rapport with a special staff-member (who can be a receptionist, a nurse or an assistant), and this can prove to be very useful when you need to talk to the doctor on a priority basis. The simple rule is that if you treat the staff well, you will be treated well too! A small 'thank-you' gift for the staff can help ensure that you get personalized attention. It's useful to learn which days are the busiest and what times are the best to consult the doctor. You should also find out what steps to take if there is an emergency, or when the clinic is closed.