A source close to the Spears family tells ET that BRITNEY's parents urged Dr. PHIL McGRAW to visit their daughter while she was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center last Saturday.

The family source further contended that it was parents' JAMIE and LYNNE as well as her brother BRYAN's idea to appear on McGraw's show to discuss Britney's downward spiral. It was later mutually decided to postpone the show. Britney, the source tell us, found Dr. Phil "really cool" and even took his number and said she'd like to call him in the future.

When ET reached Britney's manager SAM LUTFI to comment on the above info, he confirmed it.