Community Chat

[lulu1]

I wonder how some of you would feel if you were being examined by a doctor and suddenly a buzzer went off reminding the doctor your allotted appointment time was up?  Regardless of what the doctor was doing, or whether or not you had questions, the doctor told you he/she needed to keep on time in his/her schedule and you'd have to make another appointment.

An extra 10 minutes with multiple appointments adds up.  An emergency comes into the office without an appointment so that takes another 20 minutes.  Stuff happens.  Yes they overbook but patients book and never show up or cancel 10 minutes before the scheduled time.

I call ahead so I can delay my departure time.

[missy1]

1 hour max

Used to wait 2, not anymore.

Yes, things come up, but when you have to wait every time you go there, it's a problem.

They overbook.

Also. specalists here can take  3 months to get an appointment. More than once the dr has cancelled on me, then you have have to wait 1- 3 months more. 

It really depends on how bad you need to see them or you need and rx.

[missy1]

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@Tukey wrote:

Once I went to the doctor’s office and an elderly couple signed in right before me.  His appointment was at 10 and hers at 10:45.  Mine was at 10:15. To make it more “convenientl for them they bumped my appointment “on the fly” so they could be seen one after the other.  They were both retired. I was trying to use my lunch break for most of my appointment. Any overage I’d have to take paid leave or make up.  Neither was sick or in an emergency situation either. They simply got to the sign in sheet before me and apparently appointments go out the window.  And both overran their appointments talking about grandkids sore toe,etc. I was so mad. I stayed but made my feelings known lol. 

I wonder how doctors and doctor office staff would like it if they had their time so disrespected?  They seem to not care when they do it.

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They have done that to me and my appointment was before them.

[Drlinda]

30 minutes. I am too old to give up any more of my life. If my husband and I are perfectly healthy and no problems, once a year we see a primary care, have blood work, a mammogram, see a dermatologist, a dentist twice, and an optometrist. If they do not find anything wrong, then we spend 15 days a year waiting for doctors. I hate to give up any more of my life’s time to know I am blessed with good health.

[sashamatthews]

If I am not called in within 15 minutes, I go up to the window and ask how long it is going to be.  I then decide whether to stay or leave.  My PCP has a hard and fast rule:  if a patient isn't on time for an appointment, he allows five minutes;  if the patient isn't there within the five minute grace period, the doctor moves on to the next patient.  He does allow for delay due to traffic emergencies but not for anything else.

[Rockycoast]

I wait a total of 40 minutes. That is divided into 20 minutes in the outer/check in lobby and then 20 minutes in the inner exam room. If I have to wait any longer then that in either room I leave, reschedule. I'm not one for waiting around doing nothing.

[SoX]

I wait for as long as it takes ... I've been with my doctor for over 20 years ... she knows I worked in health care and know how things work in large hospital practices.  There's never been a time that I ever even considered walking out.   Her time schedules are mandated by hospital policy ... if a patient requires additional time, this takes priority.

[50Mickey]

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@BirkiLady wrote:

@I am still oxox  Be careful walking out on your Rheumatologist. What happens if you need refills on your meds and haven't kept your regular appointments? He/she may not approve the medication. They are some of the busiest physicians! Autoimmune diseases have increased over recent years and I imagine his/her practice has blossomed. There simply are not enough physicians for all of us who need their help and have so many questions. Be glad he/she takes the time to answer your questions when you have them! Next time, take a good book and wait patiently. 

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So true. My sister had a rare autoimmune disease. There are only 2 rheumatologists where we live. She preferred one over the other. He spent a good dea of time with her. She was still working and had to make her apointments in the afternoon. His was a one DR. office with one receptionist. Many times she left her appointment as they were turning off the lights. Sometimes you just have to be patient. Your help is more important thaan anything else. 

[GusMo]

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@occasionalrain wrote:

They over schedule to make up for no shows. If people would all leave after waiting 15 minutes, they would no longer over schedule. We get what we're willing to accept. 

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That is not true in any office where I worked. On busy days, we’re kind of happy for no shows. We run late because of unexpectedly sick patients, and patients who are late, want another family member seen, etc.

[beckyb1012]

I have never left an appointment to reschedule for another time.  Too much trouble to make time for an appt. plus the dreading of disrupting my week again, so I just stick it  out.