Wasted MY time?

[buckner]

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!

[Cataholic]

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.

[Sirrahsim]

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
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.

[Freedom]

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?

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.

[catlover4ever]

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.

[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. I know that whether I am seeing my primary doctor or a specialist I always come prepared with a book.

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.*

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

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.

[Edwina's Secretary]

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.

[Cataholic]

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 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.

[Logan]

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.

[Donnaj4962]

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!