While the concept of doctor answering services is much the same from one company to the next, there are also many unique differences. Every physician has a slightly different need depending on the size of the office, number of employees and even personal preference. Therefore, doctors interested in a system such as this need to take time to understand the various features and services so he or she can choose the one that is going to benefit most.

For starters, some doctors will choose a straightforward answering service that consists of a live person. In this case, the doctor would need to determine the number of hours the phone service would be answered by a live person and the number of hours calls would be handled using an automated system. Having the option of mixing and matching the two services is certainly a huge advantage for the physician.

Another feature seen with doctor answering services is triage and emergency dispatch. In this case, the person on the answering end of the phone would be an actual medical professional of some degree. As a call comes in, the professional would respond, take the appropriate information and if possible, provide the caller with medical advice. However, if the caller were in a real emergency and was not able to dial 911, the professional would provide emergency dispatch services.

Then, there are types of doctor answering services known as virtual receptionists. Features of this option include the phone being answered by a trained professional, but the individual would also be able to assist the doctor with various tasks, perhaps making appointments, sending out clinic brochures or whatever other receptionist-type tasks were needed.

Another possibility for doctor answering services is the standard voicemail. This particular option is designed simply as a voice recording system, a means for people to leave messages. However, as a part of the service, a trained professional would pick up the calls at different times of the day, determined by the physician. Depending on the call, the professional would take a message, page the doctor or, if the person handling the calls was a certified or licensed nurse, offer medical advice to some degree.