question about dr's and waiting

[jessica31876]

Do you think it is unreasonable if you schedule an appt with a dr and get there 30-45 minutes early get everything filled out and sit and wait for your appt which is supposed to be at 2:20 and you are still sitting at 3:15 to walk out?

My appt today was at 2:20 (my husband also had an appt at the same time). Well I fill out all the forms and sit and wait. They call my husband back then I figure I am next. Several people come in the office and they sit for five minutes or ten minutes and get called back. At 3:15 my husband comes out and he is doing the final stuff at the front desk so I walk up to the desk and say umm I cant wait much longer am I going to be seen? and the nurse says yes you are next then the lady who calls everyone back comes out and calls someone else back...someone besides me LOL. So I just said forget it Ill come back another day and walked out. My husband called and asked to reschedule for me and the lady was like well she was not scheduled to be seen until 3:40. He made both our appointments the week before for 2:20 and specifically told them we HAD to be home by 3:45 to get our son off the bus. He rides the handicapped bus so they wont release him if someone is not here to get him. Anyhow some people say I have no patience and should have just sat and waited until I was called. So really how long is a normal time for a dr to make you wait before you leave and reschedule?

[kbbeale]

I dont know anymore these days. I have recently been in your same situation, and if I werent so completely desperate for help, I would have walked out. What really peeves me off is that THEY say you must be here at X time or your will be subject to a $40 missed appointment charge.....but yet it's OK for me to sit here for hours on end waiting on YOU? Not really much we can do about it, I guess - but to answer your original question, NO you are not being unreasonable or impatient.

Kristen

[jessica31876]

Yea someone who is supposed to be my friend said maybe I just need to have a little more patience and that maybe I am not in as much pain or sick as I claim to be or I would have waited. Ummm sorry if I am not here when my son gets off the bus they take him back to school and they will report me to DCF. He rides the handicapped bus and they are legally not allowed to release him if I am not here. I dont have to wait outside anymore like when he was little but the bus waits to see if I (or another adult) is here because we usually walk out and wave to them so they see someone is here to get him. Im not willing to risk being reported to DCF even if I am in pain and feel like crap.

[LibbysMommy]

I had these issues with my old doctor. I was always waiting like crazy for them. After I had Libby I went there to be seen for blood pressure issues I had post-partum. I waited for 55 minutes to be called back and then sat in the actual office for another 45 minutes just waiting for the doctor to come in. Not the greatest thing to happen when I was there for blood pressure issues, lol!! Now we all go to the family doctor in our town and you never wait more than 5 minutes with her. Yeah, we live in a small town, but I think a lot of it has to do with them not over-scheduling.

Sorry you had to wait so long for nothing today!! (((hugs)))

[lovely1m]

Yeah, I would have gone up there and complained a lot earlier than you did. I rarely make appointment and just use the walk in.

[nonnie]

So strange that you posted this - the EXACT same thing happened to me yesterday - I arrived at 8 for an 8:30 appt - (They told me to be there to fill out paperwork) and I waited and waited and waited at 93 they brought me back to the office and the Dr come in At 945 - and I'm not suppose be Livid??? Seriously - what if he was at my office and I made him sit there for an hour and 45 min. Just sitting there - and then had signs up everyplace in the waiting room - please limit your cell phone usage. WHAT - What am I in 3rd grade and suppose to sit there with my hands in my lap - This makes me so crazy I am looking into switching dr's - what arrogance do they have to think so little of my time!!!!! For spending 10 min with me in the office -
Ok - off my soap box!!!!!


Edit - and then he was like - wow your BP is high today .... You think??????

[MamaBee]

well, I think that is uncalled for... you made an appointment and if they can't get you in a reasonable time (I give them up to 5-10 after the scheduled appointment before I'm at the desk every 5 minutes), then they should come to you to reschedule.

Obviously, his business is too big and should stop accepting new patients. Then for the lady to say that she had you down for 3:40... more likely that she didn't put your chart in the little file thing they use for the next patients.. and was making up and excuse. She could see you waiting... she could have told you that she had you down for x:xx time. Who would just be sitting there for over an hour... especially if they were in pain.

Sorry... I went off... I just have no patience for waiting... I did my part, I got there on time.

[Leila]

At my doctor's office (a big clinic run by our insurance company) there is a sign in English, Spanish and Hmong that says, "If you have been waiting more than 15 minutes past your appointment time, please let us know."

Waiting as long as you did, I'd say you showed a whole lot more patience than I would have!! I wouldn't assume that the remember that you are there for an appointment either. Many times, Andrew sits out in the waiting room while I'm in the exam room in order to keep Devin from driving the doctor insane. So, be a nuisance, remind them you're there. Never assume they know.

[jessica31876]

see thats the thing I gave them my paperwork way BEFORE my husband was called. He asked while he was back there when I would be called back and the nurse told him I should be right behind him. Only I wasnt. I think they forgot to put my chart out and then just made up an excuse. Needless to say I have an appt for 2:20 next week.

Originally Posted by Leila

At my doctor's office (a big clinic run by our insurance company) there is a sign in English, Spanish and Hmong that says, "If you have been waiting more than 15 minutes past your appointment time, please let us know."

Waiting as long as you did, I'd say you showed a whole lot more patience than I would have!! I wouldn't assume that the remember that you are there for an appointment either. Many times, Andrew sits out in the waiting room while I'm in the exam room in order to keep Devin from driving the doctor insane. So, be a nuisance, remind them you're there. Never assume they know.

[Leila]

Originally Posted by jessica31876

see thats the thing I gave them my paperwork way BEFORE my husband was called. He asked while he was back there when I would be called back and the nurse told him I should be right behind him. Only I wasnt. I think they forgot to put my chart out and then just made up an excuse. Needless to say I have an appt for 2:20 next week.

Next week--be a thorn in their collective sides.

[scrappurple]

My dh had an appointment once for 4:30, finally got him into the dr. office at 5:15 (appologizing because they were running late), at 6:30 he finally walked out into the hall to see when the dr. would see him and EVERYONE had gone home. He scared the snot out of he janitor who didn't think anyone was there except for him. So, if you are told a certain time, then lave after 45 minutes. I say charge them a fee for not showing up!!

[Leila]

OMG! Heidi, did he ever ask what the heck happened?? That's insane!!

I know I'm impatient once I'm in the exam room. So long as I don't have to wear one of those nasty gowns, the door is open and I'm there at the door every few minutes to remind people I exist. I've got severe claustrophobia, so I can't take being in the closed room for long.

[ColleenSwerb]

I'm willing to wait 30 minutes past my appointment time. I understand that things can come up, and some patients can take longer, and blah blah blah. But if by 30 minutes I don't hear from SOMEONE about how much longer or whatever? I speak up.

That being said I pretty much only schedule my appointments for between 8 and 9am anymore. If they're running late at that point, then they're just jerkoffs. Much less chance of them getting far behind for any reason when you're in the first group of appointments like that.

[Stacey42]

Yeah, if I can't get an appointment before 10am at my doc's office I assume I'll be waiting at least 30 minutes. I used to be fine with it because I knew once I got back there I would have the undistracted attention of the doc and not only would she look at the person with appt but any other family member who came along. (It's a family practice, the doc did my prenatal care, postnatal care, pre and post child ob/gyn stuff, regular doc stuff and was my kids doc as well) If I came in with DS1 having a chest cold and had DS2 with my (which was 99% likely) she'd check all three of us out & ask if there was anything else, like my allergies. She did that for everyone so I expected her to be late. But then she left the practice & none of the new docs give you the undivided attention she did, you're just the single faceless chart. I have no idea why they are always late. It certainly isn't superior care. So now I find it quite annoying to wait 30+ minutes for an appointment.

After 20 I ask for an estimate & decide whether to reschedule based on that. Even if I am wheezing from bronchitis I'll come back some other time. If my appt is after 2pm I'll call before I leave the house to see how behind they are running before I head down there

[jessica31876]

I would normally schedule like that Col but I have to get my son on the bus at 8:45. And the dr is about 30 minutes away in good traffic.

This was a new dr for both of us because our old dr was just not wanting to do anything. All the times I saw him he never even touched me. I dont think he ever even listened to my heart even. So I asked a bunch of people I know for a recomendation and they all said this new dr is really good and knows what she is doing(been a dr for over 20 years now). Im willing to think this was a fluke thing and they are normally very prompt but if it happens again Im defenitely going to tell them look if you charge me for not cancelling and cancel if Im 15 minutes later for an appt then I expect you to respect my time as well KWIM?

[Linz]

i'm really not a morning person, so i always snag the first appt after lunch.

[jessica31876]

I might try that Linz. That would give me enough time to get back for my son and not have a long wait like today. I honestly think the problem is they just forgot about me today because my husband did not have a long wait and nobody who came in after me had a long wait either.

[ColleenSwerb]

It does sound like a fluke more than anything.

I'm not even fond of right after lunch appointments. I've been screwed by those before, so I suck it up and get up early (although usually it's no earlier than when I am normally at work).

[jessica31876]

I think because I just sit quietly reading they might just forget Im there because it has happened at other dr's before.

I loved my neuro dr. He only saw like 2-3 patients per hour and was very thorough even talked to my husband and made suggestions for him when he came back with me. I wish I could find a dr who was like that for my primary care.

[newfiemountiewife]

Originally Posted by ColleenSwerb

I'm willing to wait 30 minutes past my appointment time. I understand that things can come up, and some patients can take longer, and blah blah blah. But if by 30 minutes I don't hear from SOMEONE about how much longer or whatever? I speak up.

That being said I pretty much only schedule my appointments for between 8 and 9am anymore. If they're running late at that point, then they're just jerkoffs. Much less chance of them getting far behind for any reason when you're in the first group of appointments like that.

This is exactly what I do. I have gone over on appts before, when I have had something more serious to discuss or something, and I always consider that someone else may have as well. I have had great doctors who took the time to explain things to me, and I always assume they do so with their other patients. I also figure this will cause them to not be on time LOL. I NEVER assume I'll get in on time, I always figure I'm going to be late getting in and make alternative plans for anything else I have going on just in case. (ie, school pick ups, etc).

It's worth it to me to wait with my doctor, because he spends the time with me that is necessary.

ETA: I always bring a book LOL

[ryliesmom]

Sounds like the person making the appointment put you in for the wrong time. I would say something to the dr. Lots of times the drs. have no idea how inefficient and rude their front office staff can be.

I would never wait that long to see a primary dr. However, if it's a specialist at least around here you usually have a much longer wait. I was working in a cardiologist office just this week and they were finally calling back their 3 o'clock appts. at 6pm. I didn't get off work that night until 7 and I was not happy.

[DawnMarch]

I HATE that! My son's former pediatrician was always late. The last time we went there, I purposely made the appointment for first thing in the morning because they are usually on track in the morning. Nope. As we sat there in the exam room waiting for the Dr. who was over 20 minutes late, I actually saw him drive up to the building and come inside -- with a Starbucks in his hand. He's 20 minutes late and he stops for Starbucks!?! Needless to say, I found a new pediatrician after that and never went back.

[letumom]

If I'm ever made to wait more than 30 minutes, I will let the staff know that I'm leaving, and I will find another dr, especially if the dr does not see patients on saturday or after hours.

I'm paid by how much I can bill MY clients during the day, so if I'm sitting in his office too long, I'm not earning any money, and that is lost time for me (i'm on commissions). Obviously this doesn't happen too ofter, but when it does i'm not a happy camper. Thankfully, this last dr will let me make my appt for the first opening of the day, and i've not had to wait long to see her.

Sometimes I wish we COULD send an invoice to the dr for having to wait past the designated appointment time.

[isaacsmom]

I hate waiting too!

On the other hand, I work in an orthopaedic surgeons office and I know what the other side is like too. So, maybe I have more patience for waiting than most. Sometimes, there is nothing that can be done...like when you get a patient that schedules an appointment for their knee, and then they get the dr in the room and say, oh by the way, my back, shoulder and foot hurt too. Or, a lot of times our docs will get called in to do an emergency procedure at the hospital and they are late for clinic. However, even when this happens, we ALWAYS go tell the patients so that they can make a choice - they can either wait or reschedule. Especially in todays economic world, customer service has to be the key, so they should have come talked to you about why you had to wait so long! Next week, I agree with what several others have said - make sure you are a thorn in their side!

[Milmomma]

Well for the past 3 years or so I've had to wait 1-2 hours to be seen. Even in the ER. With a bleeding child The military hospitals are no better than the civilian. Getting appt. meant calling 8 weeks out so I kinda have to sit for those two hours or risk waiting 2 more months.

[Julie Billingsley]

I'm just like Heather. I use to work for an orthopedic surgeon. We always told our patients that their first visit would take 2 hours and the rest of the visits to allow 1 hour. Telling the people right up front is critical to making sure everyone is fine with that. Your needs and reasons to leave were really important. I don't think any reasonable person could think you were wrong for leaving Jessica!

One of the biggest complaints I saw at my office was with patients getting riled up that people that arrived after them were taken back before they were. People don't understand that some patients would be getting xrays and not seeing the doc, or getting a quick injection, or brace adjustment by the nurse. It doesn't mean that the other patient is being given priority, just they have different needs that might not even require the doctor. For us, the biggest time sucker were the new patient appointments and the appointments that ended up with people scheduling surgery. Any person in those situations wants and needs the doctor's full attention and he'd spend as long as he needed to discuss treatment with the patient, and the other patients knew they'd get that same full treatment too.

We had a 4 room system and if I had 3 people waiting for xrays, I gotta admit I refused to place a patient needing a xray in that 4th room. We'd jump simple follow-up appointments into that 4th room and explain to the skipped patients that xray was backed up so we needed them to wait a little bit. I stocked soft drinks and snacks and coffee and always was happy to pass around a tray in the waiting room. But again, it all comes down to communication from the office staff to the patients.

As for appointment times, my personal recommendation for anyone is to ask for the first appointment of the day or right after lunch. Sometimes that first appointment of the day can still end up waiting because the docs do hospital rounds right before coming into the office and if a patient has intense needs he'd be late.

Anyway, had to add my personal experience to the mix. Sorry you had to wait beyond what was reasonable, Jessica. I hope they treat you extra special next time!

[tanya.72]

I used to work in a Doctor's office and we were way behind. Over booked/ under staffed - typical doctor's office. We had a patient that had apparently been waiting for too long. He addressed his concerns to the doctor and the Dr. apologized and the guy went on his way. Well, a couple days later we got a bill in the mail from the gentlemen that was in the office and had to wait. He was a lawyer. He sent a bill to the office charging him for his time that he had to sit and wait to be seen! The bill was outrageous too! I bet the doctor's office that you walked out of was happier than the Dr. I worked for! ha ha ha! Not saying you should bill them or anything. I just thought it was kind of funny!

[jessica31876]

LOL that made me laugh....did the dr pay the bill?

Originally Posted by tanya.72

I used to work in a Doctor's office and we were way behind. Over booked/ under staffed - typical doctor's office. We had a patient that had apparently been waiting for too long. He addressed his concerns to the doctor and the Dr. apologized and the guy went on his way. Well, a couple days later we got a bill in the mail from the gentlemen that was in the office and had to wait. He was a lawyer. He sent a bill to the office charging him for his time that he had to sit and wait to be seen! The bill was outrageous too! I bet the doctor's office that you walked out of was happier than the Dr. I worked for! ha ha ha! Not saying you should bill them or anything. I just thought it was kind of funny!

[lovely1m]

Originally Posted by Julie Billingsley

As for appointment times, my personal recommendation for anyone is to ask for the first appointment of the day or right after lunch. Sometimes that first appointment of the day can still end up waiting because the docs do hospital rounds right before coming into the office and if a patient has intense needs he'd be late.

Oh, goodness, reading this I just realized I made my ob late to her first morning appts! lol Never even thought about it before, but my nurse actually called the doctor in after she had completed rounds cause I was going to give birth right then, the doctor thought it would be longer when she checked on me cause it was my first and I had only been there a few hours.

[Sharon Kay]

I spent so much of my life waiting on doctors for my oldest son's first two years of his life that I got fed up with it... now a wait ONCE in awhile is ok...things happen...but not when it is every single time. I will leave the practice and find another that treats their patients right! We ARE PAYING THEIR SALARY ... if only a small tiny portion ... but if enough people would get the nerve to leave ... they will feel it where it counts!

I left my primary physician and have one now that is much better at seeing me quicker and if late apologizes profusely! ... the pediatrician that we CHANGED to ... the longest I have waited in 18 years is 45 minutes and that was ONCE ... generally it's either immediately or within 20 minutes tops before we go back!

[jessica31876]

I would not have minded today but the thought of missing my sons bus terrifies me. If one of the kids (there are only like four on his bus) is not on it could throw off the time of the bus by several minutes so I like to be here no later then 3:30ish because typically he gets here right at 4:00. If it was not for that I would have probably just waited at the dr's. until I was seen. I wish I could copy/paste what my friend wrote but I deleted the email because I was so angry after reading it.

[tanya.72]

Originally Posted by jessica31876

LOL that made me laugh....did the dr pay the bill?

No, he ended up calling the guy and he took him golfing or something. But that guy *NEVER* had to wait again! ha ha ha~!

[laurabobaura]

this has happened to me a couple times- and i can read their body language and facial expression- normally that means that either they forgot about you, or someone screwed up the paperwork in back.

[sprauncey1]

Originally Posted by Milmomma

Well for the past 3 years or so I've had to wait 1-2 hours to be seen. Even in the ER. With a bleeding child The military hospitals are no better than the civilian. Getting appt. meant calling 8 weeks out so I kinda have to sit for those two hours or risk waiting 2 more months.

And don't ever be over 5 minutes late because they WILL NOT see you and you have to reschedule (even if THEIR) clock is 3 minutes fast!!! The bases are WAY understaffed and always a doc or two short in each of the clinics. Plus usually there is only 1 specialist nearby that takes TriCare so you have to wait MONTHS to be seen (our EMT is 3 month wait and our allergist is 1.5 month wait)!!

Jessica...I would call them ahead of time and see how far behind they are since you are on a set schedule for your son. And no you were not wrong to leave, you needed to get your son and they should understand that since they were so late. Hopefully the second time around is a breeze (plus you have the paperwork already filled out)!