Working in a doctor’s answering service does not make you a real doctor but gets you as close to the profession as you can. How much you learn is up to you. Being part of this growing community lets you reach out and help many more people than a doctor can. At the most basic level, you can be just a message-taking service – a go-between for the patient and the doctor; or you can choose to make a difference to people’s lives and in the process enrich your own. Make sure to consider your own temperament and desires before you opt for a career in these services.