Are you willing to wait for a good doctor

Abrowneyegirl · ‎03-15-2010

I found a wonderful doctor, a specialist and I recommended her to a friend.

She finally had her first appt with the MD and really liked her because:

she takes her time with each pt to listen and is she is very highly skilled and up to date with current treatment options.

The problem, because she (the MD) takes time with each pt she often runs behind schedule, she can be up to an hour behind.

The hospital system that owns/manages (?) the practice requires all appts with MD be scheduled every 15 mins. You can see where the problem is.......

My friend (who had to wait 20 mins) and is retired -- raved about the MD and the care she received but complains and is worried about her next appt. The first appts in the morning are booked up for 13 months.

I told her unfortunately she can go back to one of the other 5 doctors she tried and HATED, but ran on time or stay with the one she loves and bring a book.

Personally I have no trouble waiting to see a doctor who is willing to give me the time I need.

Will you wait?

nana59 · ‎05-12-2012

I have often heard about scheduling a patient every fifteen minutes....Basically, it all comes down to the money.......does that make for a good doctor?

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

It's a tough decision each time - and the doctors manage their time all kinds of ways so it's hard to know what to do.

For the past two weeks, I've been working at getting an appt as a new patient in a specialist's office. First call there were appts available in December as long as I didn't care which doctor on their list.

Then there were several practices that are not accepting new patients at all.

Today, I found a practice taking new patients - next March!

So -- now I'm back to my primary to understand better how dangerous it is to wait and how much interference he'd like to have his office run for me, although the last scheduler I spoke with told me not to waste my time with their office if I go that route because they can't budge. Today I'm just thankful I made an appt with my primary even before I knew there could be a problem.

So -, yes, if I actually do find an appropriate doctor, I'll take lots to read and go, knowing I may be pushing someone else to a late appt also so I can be seen. But I will hope not to have to wait repeatedly for routine things like BP checks, scripts, etc.

software · ‎06-08-2016

I have a wonderful doctor who takes time with me. AND if I need an xray or labwork he escorts me down the hall or across the hall or wherever I need to go. I'm not feeble, that's just his manner.

When I make my appointment, I request the first appointment after their lunch break. They are usually not running behind at that time. Most doctors make appointsment for morning then afternoon, not all day, if that makes sense.

I drive a long way to my appointments, I have to pay parking, but I've figured out how not to wait so long.

@Abrowneyegirl

Azcowgirl · ‎04-10-2012

I would be willing to wait for a good doctor. My recent experience with trying to find a good one in my area is making me wonder if I should start thinking about moving to a different area ! ):

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

I'd probably wait. But what I don't understand is why the office cannot call and tell you the doc is running behind so you don't go and sit. When I was seeing an orthopedic specialist, I had to leave work an hour and 15 minutes early for my appointment which was 3:15. He ended up seeing me at 5:05. Had I known he was running behind like that, I could have left work 20 minutes early. I wasn't happy about that.

Just Bling · ‎03-10-2010

I would book the very first appointment in the morning whatever time that is, so there wouldn't be a wait.

I do that now for everything, even tests, my time is just as important and who wants to sit in a room with sick people for an hour or so.

Winkk · ‎03-15-2010

Yes. My PCP is excellent and I will wait for an hour to see him . But, an hour is the maximum time. I think his office schedules every 15 minutes too. He was with me for 25 minutes my last appointment.

DrKelli · ‎03-10-2010

Or make your appointment first thing in the morning. 3 weeks ago, I waited an hour and 45 minutes to see someone at the orthopedic practice I go to. I wouldn't have waited that long normally, but was having horrible shoulder pain and was leaving town, so I had to see someone. I was furious when he finally got in the room. I won't do it again.

I know you probably want to know why he took that long--there was an emergency with another patient whose blood pressure was quite high. No one bothered to tell me that he was tied up in that. Instead, after 1.5 hours, I went into the hallway and most of the staff was standing around shooting the cr**. Not one of them realized I had been waiting that long. It wasn't all in the room either--I waited an hour in the reception area and one of the front desk people realized I had been there awhile.

Gracies Mom · ‎04-25-2011

Without a doubt I would wait in the waiting room to see a good doctor!!!! I've waited for so-so doctors up to two hours, so it's no big deal for me to wait for a great doctor (I'm retired, so what else am I doing that's more important than taking good care of myself?). Wonderful doctors are hard to find--and even harder to get an appointment with--so there's no question that I would wait. Bring a book to read--or a word puzzle to do---it's no big deal for me.