My pdoc is available during office hours only. The off-hours/weekend voice message refers patients to a 24-hour state-run crisis line or the ER. Even if I can reach him during office hours, he usually says, "I don't treat people on the phone. My recommendation is that you go to hospital intake and have them call me." There's also an implied, "If you choose to ignore my recommendation, I'm not liable, and I'll probably discharge you from my practice." I would never call my doctor and hang up, hoping he would intuit that I wanted/needed attention...the truth is that he wouldn't try to track me down.

I used to think it would be nice for my pdoc to be available during off hours, but I can see how this would foster an unhealthy dependence. I would never test him or play games with him, and he would no doubt consider it to be manipulation. I like him, but he absolutely would not tolerate that kind of behavior or even the hint of exaggeration. I'm kind of a no-nonsense type of person, so I like this.