This is normal protocol. It's usually because the doctor is with a patient at the time. At our clinic the educators see people for half hour and hour time slots. They are booked solid all day and usually return calls during lunch hour or at the end of the day. None of our educators take lunch breaks. They eat at their desks and return calls. It's a non-stop job. It's only if someone unexpectedly cancels that they might be able to talk right when you call.

It's nothing personal to anyone. Just always remember the time you spent with a doctor and that when you call, they are doing the same for someone else. Think how upsetting it would be in the middle of your appointment the doctor is taking calls. I know sometimes a doctor might be interrupted if there is a big emergency. But, for the most part, doctors and patients both dont' like to have an appointment interrupted.