How long do you wait at the doctors office?
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,897
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From: Cherry Hill, NJ
I make early morning appointments and usually wait <15 minutes.
One guy I know used to create havoc at the doctor's office when they kept him waiting. He'd have sing-alongs, pass out candy bars, play card games, etc.
They finally got sick of this and started rushing him into the second waiting room right away. Now he starts working on his laptop, spreads his paperwork all over the place, and when the doctor shows up, he says "Can you come back in 5 minutes? I need to finish what I'm doing here".
One guy I know used to create havoc at the doctor's office when they kept him waiting. He'd have sing-alongs, pass out candy bars, play card games, etc.
They finally got sick of this and started rushing him into the second waiting room right away. Now he starts working on his laptop, spreads his paperwork all over the place, and when the doctor shows up, he says "Can you come back in 5 minutes? I need to finish what I'm doing here".
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Tulsa, OK
I work for a large medical practice and some of our doctors routinely run an hour or more behind. Some even have the appointment secretaries start scheduling appointments to begin at 7:00, but then the doctor doesn't show up until 8:00. It's ridiculous. I know I don't tolerate that crap when I'm going to see a doctor.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Nashville
Originally Posted by S2020,Aug 1 2006, 12:47 PM
interesting...
the wait time is shorter than I thought
the wait time is shorter than I thought
I have even called in advance "are you guys on time?"... "yes"... ahahah... then i sit there forever....
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: N. Tx.
As a physician I can understand the frustration of waiting to see the doctor.
However you need to consider a few things:
A. If the physician is a specialist or not. Specialists are expected to spend more time with patients then the PCP's. Especially for initial evaluations.
B. Does he/she see patients in the ER or Hospital - that always takes time away from the clinic.
C. Was he/she up all night doing surgery. That may be a reason why he is sluggish this am.
Finally - understand that we dont' really want our patients to wait. Its just the reality of medicine today. I have to increase my volume if I get paid less to see each patient.
However you need to consider a few things:
A. If the physician is a specialist or not. Specialists are expected to spend more time with patients then the PCP's. Especially for initial evaluations.
B. Does he/she see patients in the ER or Hospital - that always takes time away from the clinic.
C. Was he/she up all night doing surgery. That may be a reason why he is sluggish this am.
Finally - understand that we dont' really want our patients to wait. Its just the reality of medicine today. I have to increase my volume if I get paid less to see each patient.
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Tulsa, OK
The "A" excuse doesn't hold much water with me. Yes, some specialists spend more time, but they can also budget for that, especially with new patients by not scheduling so many patients. It's basically an attitude that the patient's time isn't valuable.
Joined: Jan 2005
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Originally Posted by wickerbill,Aug 1 2006, 04:46 PM
The "A" excuse doesn't hold much water with me. Yes, some specialists spend more time, but they can also budget for that, especially with new patients by not scheduling so many patients. It's basically an attitude that the patient's time isn't valuable.
As someone who works 45 minutes from her doctor's office I either have to wait longer for an appointment at the beginning or end of the day, or take personal time off work in the middle of the day, which basically tanks my entire work day for a 10 minute appointment.
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 112,963
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From: Doh!!
whenever I go to a doctor's office (or DMV, or anywhere I expect a long wait), I bring work to do. I can wait an hour and I'll feel taht my time is not wasted so I'll be in a cheerful mood. I don't understand why some people don't do this.