Waiting, waiting

[flamingo]

And waiting some more. Can you guess where I am?

If you guessed the doctors office you'd be right!! Blargh! They told me to get here 20 minutes early since I've never been to this doc before. So I did. They gave me one form to fill out, then told me to wait. At my appointment time the nurse calls me back, takes my vitals, says doc will be in soon.

It's now 25 minutes past my appointment time and NO DOC! I know, you're shocked right??

What really ticks me off about this is that it's a non-vital appointment and I purposely asked for the earliest of the day so this wouldn't happen. Id hate to be the guy who has a 10am appointment!!

Oh and I had to walk here in the rain. That ruined my hair. So that isn't helping my frame of mind!!

[Lizard Queen]

OMG, tell me about it.  These days, I'm more shocked when I don't have to wait at least 1/2 hour to see a Dr.  It's usually 1+ hours from arrival to actually talking to the Dr.

[Artemis Windsong]

We are fortunate here.  Huge hospital/clinics.  DH went to the walk-in clinic for an eye sore that turned out to be a sty.  He was in and out with the script within 5 minutes.  The pharmacy took over one hour.

I know, this did not help at all.

[Phoenix84]

Sometimes it can be ridiculous. I tried going to a new ophthalmologist once. I waited in the waiting room for over an hour before I got deduct and left.

The waiting room was filled with retirees who were talking and joking around. But I didn't have the time for that.

I like my current go, she gets me in and out fast.

[saveinla]

Both my primary and gynecologist are good about keeping the wait to 5 mins or less, unless there is an emergency. I only wait if I go as a walk in.

[andi9899]

Oct 28, 2015 10:36:28 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Both my primary and gynecologist are good about keeping the wait to 5 mins or less, unless there is an emergency. I only wait if I go as a walk in.

My primary is like this too. I still go to the same doctor even though I don't live in the area anymore for many reasons, this is one.

[flamingo]

Well, I was finally seen-an hour after my scheduled appt time. The doc comes in and was all like, Ok, so why are you? I looked at my watch and was like, do you mean why and I still here an hour later? So then she said "Oh, that, sorry, it's busy here this morning. Why did you come to see me today?" It took all my willpower not to walk out right then and there. I told her my pcp referred me due to my blood work. So then she starts quizzing me on did my pcp really think this appt was necessary or was I being a nervous nelly due to family history of this disease? I finally looked at her and said, "I know you are busy, and I know you are running late today, but please don't take your anger/frustration out on me. If this isn't a good time for you, I'll be happy to reschedule." She must have finally got it, because the rest of the appointment went smoothly and by the end she was acting much more friendly.

I don't get it. I didn't make you late, I was early for my appt and I waited patiently (yes, I ranted here, but not to her or the staff). Why do doctors think it's ok to treat patients so poorly?! Whatever, she did warm up towards the end of the appointment, and she's a leader in this field for this disease, and really knew her stuff. And, I don't actually have this disease (yet) so I don't have to see her regularly. 

BLARGH! 

[wyouser]

I wonder as we progress does waiting time morph into something resembling V A wait times? Can you visualize the doctor finally entering the exam room to find your gown covered mummified body patiently sitting in the chair

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

The only time I have ever waited an inordinate amount of time was for my gyn.  As it turned out, he had an emergency and while he thought he was going to get back in time for clinic hours (I was the first appointment too), things took longer than he expected.

However, his office staff let me know this in advance, and I waited about 45 min after my appointment.  When they told me he was probably going to be delayed another hour, I rebooked the appointment.

[Chocolate Lover]

Oct 28, 2015 11:18:30 GMT -5 flamingo said:

Well, I was finally seen-an hour after my scheduled appt time. The doc comes in and was all like, Ok, so why are you? I looked at my watch and was like, do you mean why and I still here an hour later? So then she said "Oh, that, sorry, it's busy here this morning. Why did you come to see me today?" It took all my willpower not to walk out right then and there. I told her my pcp referred me due to my blood work. So then she starts quizzing me on did my pcp really think this appt was necessary or was I being a nervous nelly due to family history of this disease? I finally looked at her and said, "I know you are busy, and I know you are running late today, but please don't take your anger/frustration out on me. If this isn't a good time for you, I'll be happy to reschedule." She must have finally got it, because the rest of the appointment went smoothly and by the end she was acting much more friendly.

I don't get it. I didn't make you late, I was early for my appt and I waited patiently (yes, I ranted here, but not to her or the staff). Why do doctors think it's ok to treat patients so poorly?! Whatever, she did warm up towards the end of the appointment, and she's a leader in this field for this disease, and really knew her stuff. And, I don't actually have this disease (yet) so I don't have to see her regularly. 

BLARGH! 

Such a nice way of asking her why's she's being so bitchy. Good job!

[steph08]

I also try to go for the first appointment of the day or right after lunch to avoid delays, but sometimes, I guess you just can't help it.

With my OB/GYN, I have waited, at most, a half hour - usually 5-10 in the waiting room and then 10-20 in the exam room. He takes his time, and I like him, so I don't mind.

I did have one rushed appointment when I was pregnant - he was trying to finish up his appointments and one of his patients was up at L&. The nurse came in to tell him she was 10cm so he had to cut my appointment short. Being pregnant myself - I understood!

I gave birth at 9 a.m. on a Tuesday - I think his office hours start at 8:30. I hope people didn't have to wait too long for their appointments!

[chen35]

I get that stuff comes up, but at least be a human about it. Tell me generally what happened and apologize. It's not okay for me to wait over an hour and you to not offer some sort of explanation and act like it's fine.

[wvugurl26]

Of the doctors I have now my ob/gyn is the worst. The wait times are awful. I don't care for the other people in the practice. It's usually some emergency. She's booked out to infinity so rescheduling isn't very feasible. The first appointment is at like 930 and my work hours start at 7 so that one doesn't work well for me. I've had so many doctors appointments in the last few years that I try very hard to minimize time off work.

[MarleyKeezy78]

The only Dr. I ever really have to wait forever for is DS's allergist, but she is super thorough and will take as long as needed with us. She is worth the wait and she is super nice!

[zibazinski]

 I realized after having my last child, I didn't need the ob part anymore so that took care of the wait.

[Deleted]

DH and I also take full advantage of Doc-in-the-Boxes. Very little wait, and most of the time they can take care of whatever brought us there.

We're fortunate- there are plenty of docs in this area and neither of us would put up with long wait times every visit. (We understand that emergencies happen, especially with OB/Gyns, but won't tolerate it on a regular basis.) We're both retired, but have more interesting things to do in life than wait in doctors' offices. DH is a little more patient about it because he typically needs specialized care from a particular doc.

[lexxy703]

Oct 28, 2015 11:18:30 GMT -5 flamingo said:

Well, I was finally seen-an hour after my scheduled appt time. The doc comes in and was all like, Ok, so why are you? I looked at my watch and was like, do you mean why and I still here an hour later? So then she said "Oh, that, sorry, it's busy here this morning. Why did you come to see me today?" It took all my willpower not to walk out right then and there. I told her my pcp referred me due to my blood work. So then she starts quizzing me on did my pcp really think this appt was necessary or was I being a nervous nelly due to family history of this disease? I finally looked at her and said, "I know you are busy, and I know you are running late today, but please don't take your anger/frustration out on me. If this isn't a good time for you, I'll be happy to reschedule." She must have finally got it, because the rest of the appointment went smoothly and by the end she was acting much more friendly.

I don't get it. I didn't make you late, I was early for my appt and I waited patiently (yes, I ranted here, but not to her or the staff). Why do doctors think it's ok to treat patients so poorly?! Whatever, she did warm up towards the end of the appointment, and she's a leader in this field for this disease, and really knew her stuff. And, I don't actually have this disease (yet) so I don't have to see her regularly. 

BLARGH! 

Wow I've never been treated like that by a doctor.  You handled her well.

My regular doctor closed his practice about 5 years ago.  I'm never really sick so I never picked another.  There is a walk in clinic across from my office that I go to if I really need to.  I've only been twice.  One time I had to wait what seemed like forever & the other time there were no other patients in the waiting area & he took me right away.

[flamingo]

Oct 28, 2015 11:29:43 GMT -5 steph08 said:

I also try to go for the first appointment of the day or right after lunch to avoid delays, but sometimes, I guess you just can't help it.

With my OB/GYN, I have waited, at most, a half hour - usually 5-10 in the waiting room and then 10-20 in the exam room. He takes his time, and I like him, so I don't mind.

I did have one rushed appointment when I was pregnant - he was trying to finish up his appointments and one of his patients was up at L&. The nurse came in to tell him she was 10cm so he had to cut my appointment short. Being pregnant myself - I understood!

I gave birth at 9 a.m. on a Tuesday - I think his office hours start at 8:30. I hope people didn't have to wait too long for their appointments!

If my appointment had been with an OB/GYN or some other doc that routinely did surgery, I'd totally get it. But that's not the type of doc I saw. Believe when I say that she doesn't do surgery. 

While I was waiting to be called back, some guy checked in for his 8:15am appt. The receptionist said, no your appt was at 7:45am. They argued a bit, determined it really was a 7:45am and she processsed him and they took him back. He wasn't seeing my doc (went through a different door marked for a different specialty), but things like that irk me. They called/emailed/texted to confirm my appt 5 times. I bet they did that for him too. And I bet his doc spent plenty of time with him, thereby being late to all the other patients who got there ON TIME. 

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

She's booked out to infinity so rescheduling isn't very feasible.

Normally, so is my gyn.  However, if I need to rebook for an emergency the doctor's had, the office staff is really good about getting me back there in a reasonable amount of time.

[toomuchreality]

I've been to doctors like this before... Too often!
October 2014 I started seeing my current doc. I think she's fabulous! Rarely do I have to wait more than 5 minutes. The time I did, it was due to an emergency 'walk in'.

I was so nervous about seeing a new doctor. Yet I like both her and her staff, more each time.
It's a good thing!


Sorry for your wait, the way the doc handled it initially and your walk in the rain. You handled the situation very well. You can/should be proud of yourself.

Proactive health care can be invaluable. Good choice!

[Lizard Queen]

So, to prove myself wrong, my mother just had a record-breaking fast appointment at the eye doctor's today.  That is on top of the surprisingly fast physical I had myself yesterday morning (first appointment of the day).  1 hour from start to finish for mom, 45 minutes for me yesterday.  I'm not sure they could have done my mom much faster, since she had some eye drops (probably dilation) and an injection done.  Took only 2 hours out of my day, not counting going over to her house this morning for the daily ritual, with drive-time and extra time to nudge her to get dressed.  There have been 3-4 hour ordeals in the past--we do this about every month.

Overall, it seems that specialists are the worst for wait times (and the worst personalities as well).  Years ago when I went to a dermatologist, the wait was usual 45 minutes to get in the room, and then 45 minutes while in the room. My mom's GP is all over the board, but at least he cares.  He really takes the time with patients, if he feels he needs to, but he feels terrible about making people wait.  He's worth the wait, because he's done the same for my mom.

[Deleted]

Waiting doesn't bother me.  What does bother me is the doctor talking very little about me and a lot about what I do (teach English).  Not to be rude, but I don't care that you can still recite the Prologue to the Canterbury Tales in Middle English.  Please don't recite it.  You did that the last time I was here. Yes, they do that kind of crap.

Then they charge the insurance company for an extended visit.   Really?

[irishpad]

Oct 28, 2015 21:41:02 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

Waiting doesn't bother me.  What does bother me is the doctor talking very little about me and a lot about what I do (teach English).  Not to be rude, but I don't care that you can still recite the Prologue to the Canterbury Tales in Middle English.  Please don't recite it.  You did that the last time I was here. Yes, they do that kind of crap.

Then they charge the insurance company for an extended visit.   Really?

This type of thing happens to me too often, asking me questions / advise related to my work.   More than once I have been tempted to write up my bill and leave it at the front desk as I leave the clinic / doctor's office.

[ners]

I accompanied my mom on her appointment.  My dad would bring her.  I worked 5 minutes away.  Office was almost always behind schedule.  I called and asked if they were on schedule.  Answer yes, after waiting 1 hours in the office I was not a happy camper.  Guess what, this same doctor just became my dad's cardiologist.   

[marvholly]

I have not had this experience in A Dr. office.

However, dentist is another thing. I have been going to the same dental office >50 years.  Started w/the dad & changed to the son about 1970.  One time I sat in the chair waiting >1 hr while my dentist attended to a NOT his patient emergency & his partner went out to lunch.

I walked out, left a note & REFUSED to pay for 'missing' my appt.  Made noises about charging the dentist for MY wasted time.

  Seldom more issues

My dentist retired & sold the practice summer 2014.  This July I had to wait >30 min just to get my teeth cleaned by the hygenist.  Also, they tried to bounce me from room to room.  Further, the office staff 'forgot' to schedule Dr time to put in my new bridge which was already several visits behind.  I went BALLISTIC!  They did leave me in my first room.  The Dr did 'find' time to place the bridge.  Next appt was last week and everything went perfectly smoothly.