Need a doctor's appointment in a pinch, The Staten Island Family's got you covered!

By Zanade Mann

Here at The Staten Island Family we’re all moms who are on a bit of a mission to make our lives easier and therefore we’re forever on the hunt for products, apps and services that will help us to streamline our laundry list of things to do. Unfortunately sometimes our break -neck paced multi-tasking creates a situation where some of our most important to-do tasks get placed on the back burner. These oft forgottten tasks include making those mandatory and OH so important doctors apointments. So, whether you’re a mom who needs to book the family’s yearly doctor’s exam or if you’re on a summer trip and need to see a specialist urgently, ZocDoc is a great tool/resource that enables doctors to fill appointments efficiently and helps patients avoid long wait times for appointments.

ZocDoc was founded by Cyrus Massoumi and two co-founders, including Oliver Kharraz, MD, in 2007, who came up with the idea for the site after bursting his eardrum on a flight and finding himself unable to get a doctor’s appointment for four days. He knew there had to be a better way and so he created ZocDoc.

The simple fact is when someone needs a doctor’s appointment they don’t want to (or can’t) wait several days. Every day, thousands of people try to call their doctors to request medical appointments, ask clinician questions and renew prescriptions. Unfortunately, many of them hang up after long hold times or get turned off by long wait times to see specialists. ZocDoc helps the patient and the doctor–no more long wait times for patients and more efficient use of time for doctors and their offices.

Here’s the breakdown (how this service really works!)

-Book a doctor’s appointment instantly online at ZocDoc.com or use the free iPhone App to book. Simply click, or tap, an available time to book the appointment – no phone calls necessary – for added convenience and privacy. Say goodbye to playing appointment Tetris with the doctor’s receptionist, and broadcasting the details of your questionable rash to the person in the next cubicle.

– Search for a doctor by location and insurance accepted and ZocDoc shows you search results including photos of doctors, descriptions of their practice, verified credentials and education information, and real reviews written by patients who ZocDoc has verified have seen that doctor.

– And for those living in NYC ZocDoc offers over 2 million available appointments in New York and the surrounding areas right now, with primary care doctors, dermatologists, OBGYNs, dentists, eye doctors, pediatricians, and many more specialties.

We’re always on the hunt for apps, services and pretty much ANYTHING that will make our lives as parents easier- got any to share?