Wasted MY time?

I had an 1:00 appointment at the eye doctor today. I arrived there at 12:30 to make sure I had plenty of check in time. I was the only person in the waiting area that 2 doctors share when I arrived. At 1:00, they started calling the other doctors people to the back, I kept looking at my watch 10 after, 15 after, 20 after, 25 after and I was getting PO'ed.... At 1:30 I went up to the desk and asked how much longer would it be, that I had another appointment at 2:00 somewhere else and needed to get out of there..

10 minutes go by before they call me to the back so that makes my appointment 40 minutes late with NO explanation of why.. When she got me back there and went to explaning the 3 tests they wanted to do on my eyes today day, I asked her how long it would take and told her I had another appointment somewhere else and needed to really be going on my way to that one....

I am just so outdone, so upset that MY time was wasted like that. I really didn't have another appointment but to me, MY times is just a valueable as anyone elses and I really think the doctor and his nurse (she arrived in time to call me back there 40 minutes late) just hadn't come back from lunch yet. I set up another appointment but am thinking about cancelling it and finding me another doctor. They moved into a new office and since then, the "service" has gone to pot and now wasting my time like that.

Did I over react? What would you have done?

I have been in the same situation, and have changed doctors because of it! It would be okay if there was a reason, but most times there is no reason, and it just makes me mad!!! They make you wait all that time, just to spend 5 mins with you, and shoo you out the door!! I cant tolerate this! and I now have a great doc, that is a doll!

Think about how important the doctor is to you. If you can live without them, switch doctors. If not, breathe deep and wait.

I have an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor who I've been going to for almost 17 years. My ENT is AMAZING and he truly is the best in Kentucky. However, if I make an 8am appointment (the first of the morning), it'll be about 8:30am until I'm back there and another 30 minutes until I'm out of the building. He does surgeries, and most of the time, they don't allot enough time. And sometimes, there are emergencies that come up. But, if I make it for the afternoon, there's at LEAST a two hour wait. I once waited 3.5 hours. I had time to complete my Calculus homework, my Psychology homework, and take a nap. Most people would be appalled at waiting that long, but he's worth it. There's no one else like him, and because of that, I'll be more than happy to wait.

So, just weigh everything out. Yes, they're "wasting" your time, but if you plan for it, it's not being wasted. Don't arrive at 12:30 next time. Come in at 10-til or so, sign in, and read a book. Or, if he's not really that good of a doctor, switch. You'll find one that you'd be more than happy to wait for.

Breathe deep! :)

People vote with their feet. I would have left at 130, and told them I would have had to re-schedule. I wouldn't go to a doctor like this.

I'm right there with you... It is SO annoying..
With the OB/GYN that I am seeing right now I have NEVER waited for less an hour past my appt time. Unfortunately he is the best surgeon in the area so I'm probably going to stick with him anyway since I'm probably having another c-section :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
I agree with buckner, if this doc is the best stick with her but if she isn't something special I'd say ditch her.

I HAVE walked out after waiting half an hour. A doc I didn't much care for, I had already started looking to find a replacement. As I recall, I didn't tell them when I left, either. snippy, eh? :eek:

I agree with the other comments, if you trust the doc, don't change. However, I would say let them know how upsetting it is. If you don't have a strong bond with the doc, find another.

To me, the only ones who should be allowed the leeway are the surgeons, coming in from surgery (usually it is the morning appts., not always, depends on the surgeon's schedule). Otherwise, I don't see more than 5 or 10 mintues as permissible, and they should APOLOGIZE for being behind schedule.

I've done the same thing. I had a 2:00 appt for an ultrasound/mammogram at 2:30 I got up and asked if I was there on the right day? After another 15 mns, I got up and asked again. By 3 pm the tech finally came out and took me in....busy day with a lot of add on's. I said "Boy it sure does not pay to have an appointment, I should have been an add on". That pi$$ed her right off. I didn't care. I had to leave work early and use vacation time for the appointment....my time is just as valuable...especially when I could have been using that vacation to sip a nice cold drink on the beach.

Laura...you were definately justified.

I've walked out of my dentist's office before. Told his receptionist that I had better things to do than wait around for him and that I would call to reschedule sometime. Obviously it was a routine app't, not an emergency. He was over an hour late and my time is just as valuable as his, especially since I was missing work to be there.

He called me personally that night at home; apologized profusely and booked me in as his first app't the next morning. Usually takes up to four months to get a non-emergency app't with him.

I don't know if he made some kind of note on my file, but he's never been more than a few minutes late for an appointment with me since!

I think you were perfectly justified!

I know my PCP spoiled me that I had in Florida... He use to ask all the time how long I had to wait to get called... If it was more than 5 minutes, somebody got chewed on!

I am not bonded with or have a ton a faith in this doctor, in fact I get rather annoyed with him. He only gives me a 30 day supply of medicine that I need for my eyes and tells me to come back next month and everytime you go, he wants TESTS! It is to apparent that they need more income to pay for that new office!

That being said, I know he was still out to lunch and not even there. His nurse wasn't there until she grabbed my file and called me to the back either. I was there for over a hour and saw neither of them until she came to get my chart. I think he still wasn't there and he would have shown up sometime while the tests were being done on my eyes.

I don't see 30 clients a day, of course. BUT, if I am running late, I certainly do not take a lunch. I might take a bite, chew, and walk into the meeting, but, I eat lunch after the meeting. I do not keep people waiting. There are exceptions, I might be on a teleconference, or just a long winded phone call (not of my doing), but, everyone's time is important. I am never more than a few minutes late, and that is rare. Course, I do have clients that walk in fifteen minutes late on occasion.

I see this sort of thing occasionally. First of all, I think that no one really expects to be taken on time at any medical office. I know that whether I am seeing my primary doctor or a specialist I always come prepared with a book. :rolleyes:

I work for an ophthalmologist (and have been with him 12 years) and we really do try to keep on schedule. In the course of any particular day there will be an emergency or two or even more. It creates havoc with the schedule but for the most part the patients understand that, should they have a similar situation, they would be given the same consideration as those who have been *fit in.*

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Originally Posted by LKPike

I can tell you from experience that what they are doing "back there" most of the time is a big bunch of NOTHING.

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I can tell you that you are definitely not describing my office. For example, if someone doesn't appear to be working at a particular moment in my office it may be because they are waiting for instructions from the doctor as to what testing to perform next or any number of things. Most doctors would not tolerate the kind of behavior that you are speaking of.

As others have said, if you really like and respect your current doctor it might be a good idea to bite the bullet and endure the wait. If you have a doctor that is constantly running excessively late I agree that it might be time to find another.

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Originally Posted by Cataholic

if I am running late, I certainly do not take a lunch.

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If we are running behind my boss never stops for lunch. We tease him sometimes that we should hook up an IV for him so he can get some nourishment on those long days. :) We have three techs and three office people where I work. We all stagger our lunches so that there is always ample coverage and the office runs smoothly all day long.

I do not expect to wait. Of course I have something to read (don't leave home without it...) but a wait of over 15 minutes is unnecessary. I am on time. I would expect if I was over 15 minutes late the doctor would reschedule me. I expect the same consideration.

If a doctor's office is running late or has emergencies that occur, then should call those with appointments and tell them so they can schedule accordingly.

I am a customer of the doctor's office and should be treated as such. I cannot imagine most people would return to a service provider (hairdresser, etc) who made them wait an hour.

http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/rolleyes.gif

I've done three Hoppsbittle Visits, and multiple "Office Visits" to determine >>>
EVERYone in the Medical Professions, *especially* Doctors, operate on a
different Time Zone than the rest of the world ... called "Doctor's Standard Time" or "DST". http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/tongue.gif

DST runs about a minimum of One Hour BEHIND regular time -
and can be as much as 8 hours BEHIND what YOUR watch says! http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/eek.gif

So, when YOU're sitting in the Doc's Office at 8:45 AM for your 9:00 AM "appointment" ...
Ole Doc is sitting in his KITCHEN at HOME sippin cawfee #2 when he checks his
Doctor's Time watch ... "7:45 ... better take my shower an <shuffle> over to the office" ...

He shows up at the office at 8:45 HIS time ... YOU've been there an hour already! http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/mad.gif
Doc gets a fresh kawfee and checks his messages ... jots a note to call 'em back - after lunch.
Quick scan of the paper ... check watch ... 9:15 (Doctor's Time) ... Oooooh-Kay ...
Let's go see our first appointment ... "ONLY" an Hour & 15 LATE! http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/mad.gif

Put that same Doc on rounds in the Hospital ... and the "time warp" between Regular Time
and DST stretches out to 4, 5, 6, 8 Hours! http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/eek.gif
"Oh, I had an 'emergency'" or "I got called for a consult". ... http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/mad.gif

http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/rolleyes.gif

/s/ ex-Patient Phred

I always try to be the first appointment of the day. That way, they can't be too backed up yet.

My sister once waited 45 minutes for her dentist. He breezed in the front door in his exercise clothes. Seems, he had to get his workout in before seeing her. :mad: She got up and left and never went back.

Call about an hour beforehand - is the doctor on time?

Try to be one of the first two or three patients seen that day.

When you go back, tell the physician why you left today - your time is just as valuable as hers.

I used to work in a clinic with a lot of uninsured patients - they'd wait a half a day if necessary.

I must have the patience of Job. After reading this thread, I need to re-consider my choice of doctors.

My primary care physician's staff make three appointments for every 15 minutes. He doesn't arrive until around 11:00-12:00(after hospital rounds, etc). I have rarely been there when I didn't wait in the waiting room for at least an hour and probably anywhere from 30 minutes to another hour in the examining room. I usually figure my time there will be a total of around 2-3 hours. No joke. The bad part is that I thought this was the norm. I hear alot of people in this area talking about waiting this long at their appointments.

The doctor eats lunch in the office(usually brought in by drug reps.). If you are scheduled when he decides to take lunch(there's no set time), you could sit there another additional 30 minutes. Again, no joke. His waiting room is constantly packed and there are always complainers but usually, everyone sits there and waits until it's their turn. Yesterday I had an appt.--I took a catalogue and 2 puzzle books with me. I remember one time, I almost finished half of a circle a word book and read three magazines cover to cover.

I really love this guy but maybe I need to move on :confused:

If someone, ANYONE had offered me some sort of explanation as to why he couldn't see me on time... but nobody did.. I DO have a life! I am saying they scheduled me for 1 and at 1:30 he was not even there!! He should KEEP his appointments or someone needs to explain WHY he can't and ask you if you want to wait or reschedule! I was told nothing and left there to just sit and twiddle my thumbs...

Take a book? It was a eye doctor and I was there because I am having problems with them... reading was not a option for me.

I went to my original rheumatologist for over 10 years and stayed with him after he split with his partner, for which he thanked me profusely. I would leave work early (no pay) to travel a total of almost 2 hours to get to his office. His Monday evening appointments, for which I opted, started at 6p, my appt was 630p. I arrived around 6p to an empty waiting room except for the receptionist. I knew he was in, as I saw his car in the lot. It's now 6:45p..and yes, I'm "next". Hmmm...still empty waiting room. Finally (and I'm cutting this short) at 7:45p, I'm escorted in the exam room. What happened? Instead of taking me in right away, the receptionist waited for his 6p appointment to arrive..she was elderly and late so made me WAIT!!!!! I could have been in and out. If it wasn't an emergency, I would have left. I'm pretty easy going..but I thought our Dr/patient relationship was pretty good, so I told him what happened in no uncertain terms. I was so Po'd, I almost cried. He was shocked and HE took the receptionist into his office "to talk" as I was leaving.

I no longer see him (he moved too far) but I have to say, I've been extremely lucky. I may wait IN the exam room for a while, but never too long. I understand there are emergencies. My spine surgeon spent over an hour with me on my first visit, so I'm sure other patients were angry but it was important and urgent and I didn't expect it.

I love my doctors and their staffs. It took a long time to find the right ones and I dumped the ones with no bedside manners or compassion. My money, my body.

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Originally Posted by Laura's Babies

Take a book? It was a eye doctor and I was there because I am having problems with them... reading was not a option for me.

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I am so sorry you were treated that way. You were certainly entitled to an explanation. The one thing that I think would help tremendously in medical offices is to allow for emergencies. What I mean is that at least one or two slots should remain unbooked each day. My boss is opposed to doing that because he is afraid that those emergencies might not appear that day and he would be twiddling his thumbs. He hates idle time and is happiest when he sees everyone busy, busy, busy.

We have suggested getting a TV for the waiting room. I know that I have visited other offices where there is a TV and it does occupy your time so that you almost don't realize how long you have been waiting. There have been times that I have gotten so involved in what is on TV that when my name finally was called I wanted to ask them if I could wait until that particular program was over before coming back. :p

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Originally Posted by K9karen

I arrived around 6p to an empty waiting room except for the receptionist. I knew he was in, as I saw his car in the lot. It's now 6:45p..and yes, I'm "next". Hmmm...still empty waiting room. Finally (and I'm cutting this short) at 7:45p, I'm escorted in the exam room. What happened? Instead of taking me in right away, the receptionist waited for his 6p appointment to arrive..she was elderly and late so made me WAIT!!!!! .

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The exact thing happened to me with an orthopedic surgeon I went to see. I am usually fairly patient, but I considered this completely unacceptable. All the while I was waiting in an empty waiting room, no one gave me any explanation of why I wasn't being called. Then to have the late arriving patient immediately escorted into the treatment room left me flabbergasted.
I didn't realize what had just happened until she was leaving and they were discussing her next appointment, to which she announced she would arrive late so she didn't have to wait. ???

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Originally Posted by Pam

I see this sort of thing occasionally. First of all, I think that no one really expects to be taken on time at any medical office.

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I expect to be taken on time. And, for the large part of the office visits I have, be in mine, Jonah's or the cats, the doctors ARE on time.

I have left, switched doctors, and just walked out, and would do it again. To me, it is a matter of valuing my time just as much as the professionals- medical or otherwise.

It seems like a simple explanation that they are running behind would help all of us to be more patient as we wait. My primary physician's office has a sign posted that says if you have been waiting for more than 15 minutes (after your appt time), please alert the receptionist. I have never had to say a word, thank goodness. I never, ever go to the doctor or dentist without expecting to be delayed, though. I expect my doctor's full attention, when I am there with a problem, and I'm the same way with my veterinarian. That's why I like them so much and continue to see them. I turn off my cell phone, read a file for work, or enjoy a book and truly enjoy the little bit of peace and quiet I get while I wait!

I will say that I hate the television in the offices, though, because it is usually way too loud and on something that I don't care about watching. :o

My orthopedic surgeon (thumb doctor) is almost always running behind time. I usually call before I go to see how far behind he is running. However, one thing that they do is to post in the reception area how far behind each doctor is running. (Dr. "H" is running 15 minutes behind schedule, or Dr. "C" is running on time, etc.) As soon as you walk into the office, you know what to expect as far as wait time. This particular doctor ALWAYS apologizes if I have had to wait.

As I think about all of my doctors and dentist, I think that they all are courteous about telling me right up front if the wait will be long. I appreciate that. I usually bring a book (or I "people watch"!) and just knowing what the wait is expected to be helps to keep my blood pressure where it should be!

Laura, I am sorry that you were treated so poorly. Maybe if you called the office manager and explained your experience, you would feel batter. And hopefully tehy will take notice and make some office policy changes!

I used to work in a clinic with a lot of uninsured patients - they'd wait a half a day if necessary.

:confused:

UNINSURED patients are less sick? or their time is less valuble? Your clinic bases wait time on wheter they had insurance cards? :confused:

half a day if necessary??? Was there like an office pool?

Just a thought

Kym

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Originally Posted by kuhio98

I always try to be the first appointment of the day. That way, they can't be too backed up yet.

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Haha. Good luck! Our dentist... GET THIS: first appointment of the day... and we were waiting 1 1/2 hours!!! Our desntist is horrible for that. Even if you get there early you are still waiting for AT LEAST 2 hours. Usually closer to three. Cancel anything else you might have that night.

In fact... the only time I've gone in on time was when it was an emergency... which shouldn't really count in the "good service" dept. :(

I don't mind waiting to a certain extent. But doctors are famous for overbooking their patients. I refuse to wait more than 30 minutes and will walk out without hesitation.