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Posted 3/28/2012 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
I went to see a new doctor yesterday. I purposely made my appointment at 3, knowing had to be at rehearsal at 5. I figured, even IF the doctor was running late, AND my appointment ran long, I would still be okay, time-wise.

I ought to add that I am fairly neurotic about time. I am always 15 minutes early to everything. I value other people's time. I would hope they value mine.

By 4:30, I was still in the waiting room. The woman next to me had been there a half hour longer.

I went to the desk and rescheduled my appointment for next week. My partner thinks this was wrong, that I ought to have waited, especially since I had to wait for a month for this appointment.

Also, the admin. person tried to schedule me for Friday at 3. I explained that if, once again, the doctor was running late, 3 pm would be a problem. So, I am waiting 10 more days, and getting an earlier afternoon appointment.

Red flag! Serious Red Flag!
Posted 3/28/2012 7:06 PM (GMT 0)

Well, you might be right that it's a red flag, but it may also be a positive...I once saw a lovely doctor (he's since passed away), and he took every patient's story to heart and really listened.  At the time, I had a very serious medical mystery going on, and he was the only one who was so empathetic and curious and interested that he picked away at "my" mystery until he solved it.  I firmly believe that had I seen any other doctor, my problem wouldn't have gotten figured out as soon as it did, and I could have developed brain damage, or even died.  (The problem turned out to be cryptococcal pneumonia.)

Anyway, my point (yes, there is one!) is that this doctor was always running very late, but none of his patients cared, because they knew that once it was their turn, they would have the full attention of the doctor for however long it took.

On a side note, his nurses and office staff used to get so worked up, because he took so long at each appointment, and so they were always running behind.  The hospital this small-town practice was affiliated with dictated that patients be scheduled four-per-hour, but they couldn't make him see them at that pace!  Because of the rural location, this clinic wasn't a popular place for doctors to locate, and so the hospital wouldn't get rid of him, as they couldn't easily find a replacement!

As it was, he was over seventy, and he no longer cared about assembly-line medicine...he practiced his way, and it was refreshing and delightful!

I don't have much hope that this is the case with your doctor, as mine was a rare gem indeed, but maybe, just maybe...

Please post after you actually get to see this doctor--I'm interested in hearing if s/he was worth the wait!  BTW, I, too am very neurotic about time, and I think you did the right thing...their time is no more valuable than yours!

Posted 3/28/2012 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
I know that doctors are busy-busy people, and that sometimes this just happens, and they don't like it anymore than we do. Emergencies take precedence over me, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I guess I was disturbed by the packed waiting room, and the administrator's response to my concern about timing on my next visit. The "Yeah, this might happen again so let's schedule you earlier...." really bothered me, as it speaks to this lateness as a routine. This doctor *might* be the greatest thing ever, and exactly who I need to see. I certainly hope so. I am trying to reserve judgment here, until after at least seeing the guy. For a terrific doc, I would happily wait, so long as I knew I would have to in advance and arrange my schedule accordingly.
Posted 3/28/2012 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
i'm usually seen right away...i always take a couple alka-seltser with me when i go to the docs. if i wait more than 5 min past my apointment time then i put the alka-seltser in my mouth and flop arround on the floor..this usually gets me in there in a timely matter.....no not really but i would like to try it one day
Posted 3/28/2012 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
I think waiting for an hour and a half is ridiculous and rude. If you didn't have an appt afterwards that you had to get to, I still would not have wanted to sit at their office and wait. The office should have called you and told you that the Dr. was running late (way late) and given you the option to reschedule or wait at home.

Do you think they'd let you be even 15 minutes late?
I agree that some Dr.'s are wonderful and listen to everything a patient has to say. In that case, the office should know to schedule the appts for longer periods of time.

Many years ago when I had babies (which are the worst to have to wait with), I had a 9:15 appt. I remember checking in and another Mom coming in and going to the front desk saying she had a 9:15 appt. I didn't think much of it as there were about 6 Dr.s in the practice. Then I found out it was for the same Dr. The booked 3 patients at the same time VERY OFTEN. They'd line us up in rooms. When I inquired about it (at a different appt) they said that many times people are late that's why they do it. I was so upset. I used to huff and puff while waiting in the room w/a crying baby after hearing the Dr. go into the room next door. Arrrrghhh!
Posted 3/28/2012 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
My PCP is always running late. I know that if I have to fast when seeing him, to book an appt 1st appt in the morning. I usually schedule myself for right after he re-opens from lunch so that I am the 1st appt. I will still usually be there for 90 min-2 hours. He is that good. He never rushes me when he comes in. He sits and listens to all of your concerns and then he sends the vampires in. I think he exacts his revenge on my complications because if sick, I get a shot or lots of blood work. devil

I hate to recommend him to new people because I know that makes it more difficult for me to get an appointment in the future. devil nono turn

I really hope this is the case with your new dr. I am a fanatic on being on time as well. I do not blame you for a re-schedule or one or the other. You can't be in 2 places at one time.
Posted 3/28/2012 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately, I think that it is a sign of the times. I worked for a doctor for over 20 yrs. He was adamant that his patient's time was as valuable as his own, and very rarely kept them waiting. When that happened, he apologized. Those were the good old days, folks.

With health care mandates out here, the times are short, the paper work is ridiculous. Many doctors do triple book to protect them from no shows. It's not right. There was a time when people meant more than profit line. I miss those days.
Posted 3/28/2012 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Except in the case of an emergency, I think it's extremely rude. If a doctor is known to spend extra time with patients, then fewer patients need to be scheduled. I've also never understood why offices schedule 2 or 3 patients for the same time.

It's very, very frustrating I know. I don't blame you at all for rescheduling, and if it becomes a habit, I would have to ask myself if the wait is worth it. It is for some doctors, not for others. rolleyes
Posted 3/28/2012 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
My gastro is the same way; I sometimes wait for at least an hour before I get into an exam room, but its because she is very thorough with every one of her patients. When I leave her office, I always feel like I was listened to and that my concerns were addressed. On the other hand, my last rheumy always ran late. My first appointment with her was scheduled for 3 pm; I didnt get into an exam room until almost 6. But I had had to wait almost 3 months to get the appointment, and had driven 63 miles (one way) to see her; I wasn't leaving there without seeing her.
Posted 3/29/2012 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
Smiles, My Primary is usually an hour late..... BUT its because he actually sits down and listens to the patient. He hears you out. And will even try natural things if you wish. He thinks a patient should be also deciding the way to handle their health, in which I agree. He is also very thorough. If he doesn't think I have voiced all my stuff he will say "come back in two days".

My tips is, find out when lunch is. My best appointment time when I am in a hurry is the first 3 to 4 appointments after lunch. Usually an appointment is 15 minutes. I try to aim if I know I need to be somewhere in the first 2 appoinments
Posted 3/29/2012 7:07 AM (GMT 0)
Try my trick. I schedule early in the morning because they usually are not to far behind yet. If your Dr. Closes at 12 noon for lunch, then 1 pm app. work fairly well. Most Dr's schedule app. every 15 min. I hate feeling rushed. Hard to find good Dr's now. Alaska has an extreme shortage on Dr's.
Posted 4/8/2012 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
Okay, second appointment. Got there early, adjusted my attitude.

Doctor had an'emergency' and I had to be rescheduled again. The waiting room was as crammed full of humanity as last time.

Tuesday afternoon. I do have a work call scheduled a few hours later, so I am dubious.
Posted 3/25/2015 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
question when you get this humming does it scare you or does it hurt I have the same thing it use to scare me but when I got past it it make me feel better.
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