Patients today have more options than ever to receive care outside of their primary care – if they even have one. Having more options may seem like a good thing, however many times the consumer is confused about the best care to address their symptoms. In the process, they end up either over-utilizing services or underestimating serious medical symptoms, creating both a drain to the healthcare system as well as possible threat to their lives.

Phones still remain an essential means of communication with medical practices. Physician practices have to continue to find efficient ways to incorporate it into the patient-doctor relationship and take advantage…