Is it possible to find doctor who keeps appointments?

[Rick Lee]

I just caused a scene at my doctor's office and the whole waiting room got to watch. Appt. was for 9:15am. At 9:30 I went to ask if I would be seen in the next five min. They said they couldn't tell me. I complained that this happens every time and that I needed to get back to work (or back to my laptop to b!tch about it on Pelican). Lady said she'd check with the office mgr. to see if any other doctor coud get me in right away. Office mgr. came back and said it could 15-30 min. I said, "Then why was my appt. at 9:15?" She didn't like that one bit and suggested I reschedule for the first appt. of the day. I asked what good that would do, since they don't seem ever able to keep appointments.

In a raised tone, I reassured her and all the other staffers watching that I liked that doctor and that everyone in that office is very nice and helpful, but that they need to respect my time, just as I show up for all appointments on time. I told her it looked like they wouldn't be too impacted by my going elsewhere. She asked if I wanted too reschedule. I said no and walked out.

Now, how do I find a good doctor that keep his appointments? I need to get some Ambien for two upcoming trans-Pacific flights. And I don't think I want my blood pressure checked after this episode.

[motion]

Why not just drive down south over the border to get your Ambien?

[Rick Lee]

If I'm complaining about wasting my time, a 6-7 hour round trip drive isn't the solution.

[motion]

Yeah, but you could load up on some 'other' stuff, too.

[vash]

a doctor's office is pretty much the only place i dont complain about timeliness. i imagine some doctors could be idiots that cannot manage time, but i suspect it could also be that some other patient is having a much worse day than mine and it is taking up more of the doc's time.

when i went in after a ride in an ambulance from my motorcycle crash, the doc said..i'll be right back to give you something for the pain. he was gone forever. i started making a stink, loud!! the nurse came back and told me to calm down. the doc was trying to save some guys life.

my broken leg and pain seemed really insignificant after that.

i dont sleep on planes. ever. i cant. i'll watch all the movies. last time from bangkok to taiwan to SF..i think i stayed awake something like 34 hours. i still couldnt sleep.

[asphaltgambler]

Mr. Hand.......... isn't it "our"time??

[Por_sha911]

Is it possible to find doctor who keeps appointments?

No. (Unless you hire a private doctor to come to your home $$$). Reality: your "appointment" means nothing! Its just a time for you to come in and wait in line. If you come later than your scheduled time you still go to the back of the line.

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

If I'm complaining about wasting my time, a 6-7 hour round trip drive isn't the solution.

How about 45 minutes? My doctor runs on time. He recently told me that he made a vow to himself when he was in medical school that he wouldn't keep people waiting. This was brought up at my last visit when he apologized for coming into the exam room at 9:05 for my 9:00 appointment.

[id10t]

And yet, if you are late or totally miss your appointment due to stuff happening at work, in traffic, etc. then they charge you ...

I can understand er docs, surgeons, etc. missing due to emergency stuff happening, and a regular appointment is much less important that saving someones life... BUT... with all the communications available they should be able to notify the office (or have someone do it) and the office should start cancelling appointments and rescheduling them...

[Jim Bremner]

I waited on a Dr. and he pushed me back an hour.


I spoke with him in the examination room in a polite manner and gave him my phone #

I explained to him that I will leave now and that the next time that we arrange a time that he could call me to confirm and I would be there in 15 minutes.

It set him back some but it worked.

[dad911]

So what happens if you go to his office with an unscheduled emergency, and they say "Sorry we can't fit you in, it will delay the string of scheduled patients ahead of you."

I don't mind waiting if it isn't an emergency. If you like the doc, bring a book or magazine to read.

[Rick Lee]

Lee, yes, I would do that. Please PM me his info.

It's not a matter of prioritizing or triage'ing patients here. This isn't an ER or urgent care facility.

They called me last week and said they can see me at 9:15 on Friday. They left me a vm two days ago confirming my appt. and asking to me to call if I can't make it.

I get there and see three other patients signed in as having appointments with the same doctor at 9:15. How the hell does that work? I don't consider getting led from the waiting room into an exam room to be seen or keeping an appt. They did that last time I complained after a 40 min. wait. I'm done with this BS. I'd like to keep it nearby, but if it take me 90 min. to get through an appt. at a doctor that's almost walking distance from my house, I'd be better off driving a while and knowing for sure when I'll be seen.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by dad911

So what happens if you go to his office with an unscheduled emergency, and they say "Sorry we can't fit you in, it will delay the string of scheduled patients ahead of you."

I wouldn't go to them for that and they wouldn't say that. They would tell me to go to the nearby urgent care facility. And since they make me wait long after my schedule appt. every single time, I have difficulty believing it's because of sudden emergencies. None of the folks also scheduled at 9:15 today were emergencies.

[Rikao4]

having a minor meltdown after 15 minutes is ..
foolish..IMO
& you could have just done this aside..
the gatekeepers will remember & not forget..
so you may hunt for a new Dr..
& if he's always on time..
most likely few pt's..
and as you answer his ?..
he goes..
oops..your 15 minutes are up..

Rika

[stomachmonkey]

I'm with Rick. Assuming the office opens at 9 a 9:15 appointment is one of the first of the day.

To be behind 30-45 minutes first thing in the morning is a little ridiculous.

Here in TX a lot of Dr's will call you 15-20 minutes before they anticipate being ready for you so you can sit at home or at the office being productive while you wait rather than getting pissed off.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by Rikao4

having a minor meltdown after 15 minutes is ..
foolish..IMO

Wasn't a meltdown and didn't even become tense until I was told it would be another 15-30 min. AFTER they were already 15 min. late AND this was far from the first time this has happened. I'm not the most patient person in the world, but I've never been late for anything in my life because I respect other people's time and I expect to be treated likewise, especially by paid professionals. The head nurse there is my buddy and I'm pretty sure she'll call to straighten this out and make it so they call me 15 min. before they can see me next time. I could walk there in 15 min. if there were a sidewalk on that road. It's five min. from my house by car if I hit both lights red.

[artplumber]

Maybe docs should take the attitude of the cable guys etc - you will be seen between 1-5pm today, or maybe tomorrow.

Between hospital patients, people showing up 15minutes late, one problem becoming 3 or 5, someone wanting to talk about their relative's death or drug problem, not wanting to take the prescription, the list goes on.

How many of you guys blow up at other appointments than the MD when you have to wait?

[vash]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

, but I've never been late for anything in my life because I respect other people's time .

this is the right way to live. i hate when people think their time is more important than my time.

i dont mind doc visits. i get to read READER's Digest when they run late.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by artplumber

How many of you guys blow up at other appointments than the MD when you have to wait?

I didn't blow up. But I can't think of any other place I've done business with that has made me wait well beyond the appt. time other than doctors, especially after calling with an appointment reminder two days in advance.

I have never waited even five min. beyond my appt. time at any dentist. I guess a few clients have kept me waiting a little beyond the appt. time. But when I'm flying somewhere to meet with them, it's usually money in my pocket when I get the meeting. Though a few times I have left and emailed them to give a call when they wanted to talk.

Art, sounds like you have a lot of excuses for not respecting others' time. I don't roll that way and try not to give business to those who do. No one seems to suffer for it, since my doctor was plenty busy today. He won't miss me.

[bpu699]

There was another long thread on here about this... sigh

Docs try to run on time, but there is no way to guarantee it. Appointments are generally every 15 minutes. If the guy (guys?) before you decide they want to get "everything" resolved in that visit, everyone else gets pushed back.

If the doc tries to cut folks off, they get pissed. "My doc never listens... He is just in and out."

I have never found a nice way to cut someone off when the 15 minutes were up. Folks always assume that the visit should occur on time, yet when their turn arrives the doc should have unlimited time for them.

Do you see the paradox?

And of course if you are extremely sick, you want to be seen that same day. Yet, when the doc squeezes you in, obviously that time has to come from somewhere.

Don't expect to be seen on time, and you won't be disappointed...

Bo