Waiting for Dr's appointment...

[tloonya]

Thread about friends who are late inspired me to post following.

yesterday went to a dr apt with DD.

Appt was at 2pm.

We came to the room where 2 ladies were chatting. One read 1000 pages book and I had noticed there were 2 more foliants like that.
I was like...magazines aren't enough here? Well.

So every time someone was called in this reader lady was smiling nervously. After DD was called in she asked out loud 'why is everyone who came after me been called before me?' and nurse said 'different doctors'...

Later woman started talking to another woman who had same doctor and I was amazed by what I had heard. It was already 2:15pm and her appointment was at 1pm and another lady's was at 1:15!!!
So this freaking doctor scheduling people every 15 min but makes them wait for hours!

1:15 lady left in huge disappointment at 2:30 and 1pm reder lady explained to me that this doctor is worth waiting for.

We had left at 2:45 and she went back on reading that book...waiting for her favorite doctor to call her in.

HOW horrible and unprofessional is it and why are people letting this happen?
I am sure it is not 'only' time this had happened, it had happened to me...always. Not 2 hours but 1 hour at least.

Why are they so inconsiderate?

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

I want to live in a world where the idea that I'm missing $12,000 every month is not cause for concern, but a disorganized doctor's office is... 

[Deleted]

I don't deal with doctors who don't respect my time. I know I'm lucky; we live in an area with more doctors than we need and I don't have any health issues that require the expertise of a specific doctor. If they think the doctor's time is more valuable than mine and it happens more than once (I'll allow for the occasional emergency), I'll find another doctor.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Jan 16, 2014 11:04:59 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

I don't deal with doctors who don't respect my time. I know I'm lucky; we live in an area with more doctors than we need and I don't have any health issues that require the expertise of a specific doctor. If they think the doctor's time is more valuable than mine and it happens more than once (I'll allow for the occasional emergency), I'll find another doctor.

I read an article about selecting a doctor, and one of the criteria you should use is how late the doctor is.  If you have to wait more than 15 minutes, it's a sign of a disorganized office and you should take that into consideration in your decision. 

I haven't had a problem with my traditional doctors, but I did 'fire' an alternative healthcare practitioner a few years ago because he was chronically behind schedule.  I liked him a lot, but it was too frustrating to wait around in his office for an hour every time when you have a busy life. 

[Deleted]

The only time I've had to wait a lot was urgent care where there were no appointments, and even then they're pretty good about estimating how long it's going to be and they keep that updated online, so unless it's really bad (in which case we could do ER), I'll wait until the website says it's in the 15-30 minute range. If I log on and it says 2+ hours, we live with the sore throat. 

[tloonya]

Jan 16, 2014 11:01:45 GMT -5 Rocky Mtn Saver said:

I want to live in a world where the idea that I'm missing $12,000 every month is not cause for concern, but a disorganized doctor's office is... 

So...google it!
'world where the idea that I'm missing $12,000 every month is not cause for concern, but a disorganized doctor's office is'
and see if you find anything.

Good luck with moving out there!

[The Captain]

In my area there is a shortage of certain types of specialists.  It takes three months to schedule a regular type checkup.

However, if I am having problems (breathing) my doctor tells me to come in.  It's hard to schedule how many peeps may need to come in without an appointment on any given day.  That's why I try to schedule my checkups on Saturdays, as early as possible.  Sometimes if I'm later in the day they will call if they get backed up and ask if I can reschedule. 

No problem.  Don't expect it to get any better.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Yes, scheduling your appts early in the day is a good way to avoid the backups that tend to happen as the day progresses. 

[NancysSummerSip]

Most of my doctors are good on time, and are on time. But I also understand that stuff happens.

They get phone calls from other doctors and hospitals and labs, and sometimes they have to take those calls, because behind those calls, there's a patient who may need an answer now.
They get visits from pharmaceutical reps (I think this ought to be banned during patient hours, but that's the doctor's call, not mine).
They get patients who make appointments for one problem, but who wind up bringing in more.
They get patients who are very chatty, or whiny or just plain problematic, and they have to deal with that.
They get interrupted by their own staff to sign stuff, look at charts, answer questions.

My GP tends to run late, but he's one of those guys who really takes the time to listen to his patients and help with whatever is needed. I can forgive the time thing with a doctor like that.

[Cookies Galore]

Were you at my gyno yesterday?! I had the same problem! My doctor had a bunch of procedures yesterday that put her way behind schedule. I've never had to wait more than 20 minutes at this office so I knew something was up. I got the exam room around 1:45 for a 12:15 appointment. My doctor was very apologetic, at least. And the practice is across the street from my office so at least going back to work wasn't bad.

I usually try to make the first appointment of the day. Oh well.

[justme]

There's doctors/offices who just plain suck and over book or are disorganized and then there's the stuff you just have to deal with because it's the nature of the business. You usually tell the two apart by 1) whether the staff notifies you if they are behind or not and 2) whether it happens regularly.

GYN is regularly behind because of those darned pregnant women having crazy stuff happen.  One time there was a big complication, I think they ended up taking her to the hospital, and I was waiting for almost 2 hours in a room - I got a decent nap minus the times of the nurses updating me on how long it will be.

GPs often can be behind when something's going around - they try to fit people into the schedule

My neurologist is late more often than I like, but I love him and he's awesome and I realize I see him for migraines while others see him for MS, ALS, and a lot more complicated stuff. I've learned the early appointments with him is the best.

Dermatologist - There was one I only went to once, she ran into the room late for 5 minutes while the nurses were getting the next SURGERY patient ready, no thank you. I don't really expect a delay in this field.

Asthma dr - During cold/flu season they can run late, but since most of the time it's just a shot and an rx it's usually not too bad.

Endocrinologist - usually pretty good, but sometimes diabetes pts not doing what they're supposed to push her back

The rest of the specialists I see are pretty good at being on time. Still, I'm only ok with them being late often if I like them and they are good.

[Sam_2.0]

This is my big beef with my OB's office. I get that there are sometimes emergency deliveries. But it shouldn't happen EVERY TIME! I am taking time off work for these appointments that I either need to make up or burn sick time for. I wish I could just call-ahead to see how late they were running and check in over the phone. I do like that I only see my particular doctor, and with our history I am not wanting to switch to anyone else for the future, but the time issue kills me.

[HoneyBBQ]

I work in medicine -- and this happens all the time. It IS highly irritating, both as a practitioner and as a patient.

My personal 'wait' time is usually an hour. Then I leave or reschedule. If I'm with my 2 yr old, that gets cut down to 30 minutes.

[Sam_2.0]

I love that the OB's receptionist gave me a very stern lecture about being on time when I was about 5 minutes late once. Huge wreck on the interstate and three of us walked in at the same time all talking about it, so it's not like I was making it up. Normally I am 15 minutes early so all paperwork and things can be worked out before the "appointment" time, but I still end up having to wait 45 mins to an hour to see the actual doctor. And I get the first appointment of the day! Don't give me an 8:30 appointment if the doctor isn't even in the office until 9am. Ughghghg.

[justme]

Jan 16, 2014 11:29:01 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

This is my big beef with my OB's office. I get that there are sometimes emergency deliveries. But it shouldn't happen EVERY TIME! I am taking time off work for these appointments that I either need to make up or burn sick time for. I wish I could just call-ahead to see how late they were running and check in over the phone. I do like that I only see my particular doctor, and with our history I am not wanting to switch to anyone else for the future, but the time issue kills me.

With OBs isn't it more than just emergency deliveries? Never been pregnant so I'm not sure at what point of problems when you call in they tell you to just go straight to the ER vs come in to them. I know that happens a bit though since that's what nurses have told me the few times they've been running late. I've also had to go in to see mine when I've had an issue that had to be seen same-day so I'm sure that didn't help their schedule.

[Deleted]

I was once in a doctor's office where another patient, who had the first appointment of the day, was complaining about having to wait. He mentioned that he himself was a doctor.

I had to laugh at him (probably) getting a taste of his own medicine.

[Sam_2.0]

Jan 16, 2014 11:50:30 GMT -5 justme said:

Jan 16, 2014 11:29:01 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

This is my big beef with my OB's office. I get that there are sometimes emergency deliveries. But it shouldn't happen EVERY TIME! I am taking time off work for these appointments that I either need to make up or burn sick time for. I wish I could just call-ahead to see how late they were running and check in over the phone. I do like that I only see my particular doctor, and with our history I am not wanting to switch to anyone else for the future, but the time issue kills me.

With OBs isn't it more than just emergency deliveries? Never been pregnant so I'm not sure at what point of problems when you call in they tell you to just go straight to the ER vs come in to them. I know that happens a bit though since that's what nurses have told me the few times they've been running late. I've also had to go in to see mine when I've had an issue that had to be seen same-day so I'm sure that didn't help their schedule.

Our OB offices are attached to the hospital. The doctors have scheduled surgery days and scheduled office days to see patients. So my OB is in the office three days a week and in the surgery center two days a week. The doctor in the surgery center/maternity ward is the one that handles any emergency situations coming in (for deliveries they will call your particular doctor only during normal office hours). I know all offices do these things differently. But if my doctor is scheduled for office days, then barring any deliveries for her actual patients she should be in the office.

[steph08]

My last OBGYN appointment, I had to wait about 30 minutes in the waiting room and then another 30 in the exam room. And even though I had to pee in a cup beforehand, I had to pee so badly while waiting the second 30 minutes. By the time I made up my mind to go pee, the doctor came in. The entire appointment lasted about 5 minutes. An hour wait for a 5 minute appointment. Oh vey.

This time I got an appointment closer to when they return from lunch break, hoping I won't have as along of a wait. 

I also usually try to get the first appointment of the day.

[Sam_2.0]

Honestly I think it's more of a scheduling issue than it is an emergency issue. I've gotten there at 8:15 for my 8:30 appointment and there's only a couple of people in the office. Most of the nurses get in about 8:45, and the doctors show up some time after 9am. So don't give me an 8:30 appointment if no one is even there to help me until nearly 30 minutes later!

[Tennesseer]

How about a doctor's office where, if you live/work close enough, you call in at your schedule appointment time, and the office will call you back at home/work to tell you the doctor will be ready to see you in 15 minutes-20 minutes.

That would be nice.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Just as an FYI Steph if they ever leave you hanging in the waiting room and you need to pee, you can ask to go back and pee in the cup before they call you.

My clinic left me in the waiting room for 45 minutes once.  I told them they either let me in back and give me a cup or I was going to pee all over their floor.   They let me go back, so I started requesting to pee ASAP at every appointment.

[tloonya]

Jan 16, 2014 11:09:02 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

The only time I've had to wait a lot was urgent care where there were no appointments, and even then they're pretty good about estimating how long it's going to be and they keep that updated online, so unless it's really bad (in which case we could do ER), I'll wait until the website says it's in the 15-30 minute range. If I log on and it says 2+ hours, we live with the sore throat. 

Yep, they do tell you that you going to wait for 2 hours, don't they?
Geez...MNP...seriously!

[tloonya]

So far scheduling apt first in the day sounds like a greatest advice!

[Deleted]

Jan 16, 2014 12:28:52 GMT -5 tloonya said:

Jan 16, 2014 11:09:02 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

The only time I've had to wait a lot was urgent care where there were no appointments, and even then they're pretty good about estimating how long it's going to be and they keep that updated online, so unless it's really bad (in which case we could do ER), I'll wait until the website says it's in the 15-30 minute range. If I log on and it says 2+ hours, we live with the sore throat. 

Yep, they do tell you that you going to wait for 2 hours, don't they?
Geez...MNP...seriously!

Uh...yeah.  Seriously.  Right now it's a 45 minutes wait.

www.winonahealth.org/urgent-care/

[Sunnyday]

and the worst is when the office wants to charge you a fee for a no-show for being late by not taking you and re-scheduling you because you were 15 min late, but you don't get a discount when they are late.

doctors!!! grumble grumble.

[tloonya]

Jan 16, 2014 12:34:08 GMT -5 Sunnyday said:

and the worst is when the office wants to charge you a fee for a no-show for being late by not taking you and re-scheduling you because you were 15 min late, but you don't get a discount when they are late.

doctors!!! grumble grumble.

YEAH! THAT!!

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Jan 16, 2014 12:29:58 GMT -5 tloonya said:

So far scheduling apt first in the day sounds like a greatest advice!

No, no, no, don't do that.  Schedule every appt at the end of the day every time.  Then use the extra waiting time to scour your business records to figure out where your missing $12,000 is!  Win - Win!! 

[Deleted]

I wish I were wicked enough to whip out my phone just as the doc walks in and say, "yeah, Greg- I agree, let's the Microsoft and short 1,000 chares of Apple. We really need to oveweight in small-cap stocks right now. What do you recommend"? "Oh, 'scuse me, Doc- I'll be right with you." And then keep talking.

[justme]

Jan 16, 2014 12:31:39 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Jan 16, 2014 12:28:52 GMT -5 tloonya said:

Yep, they do tell you that you going to wait for 2 hours, don't they?
Geez...MNP...seriously!

Uh...yeah.  Seriously.  Right now it's a 45 minutes wait.

www.winonahealth.org/urgent-care/

I love that the urgent care chain near me lets you make appointments. And when you select a location they show you two more that are closest to it and their schedule. It makes it so nice. I wish ERs did that since urgent care can't treat my migraines anymore.

[Deleted]

Some of the best dr. appointments I have ever had were the last ones of the day.  I usually was scheduled at 4:30, and I got in about 5:00.  But then the dr. wasn't in such a hurry to get to the next patient because . . . there was no next patient.

But first patient of the day is good . . . except for an ob.  I now only use a dr. who no longer delivers babies.