I really dislike doctor's that run late....and say nothing.

[John Schmidt]

Nobody tells you anything. I had been given a prescription for some topical gel for bursitis in the right hip, an old injury coming back to bite me. I checked with my supplemental ins. and was told there's a $50 copay for it. I said I was opting for the gel instead of the cortisone shot because it was cheaper. Oh, between Medicare and us the shot is covered 100%. I asked "even if the gel is less expensive." "Yes."  That's ridiculous so I called the dr's. office back, told them I'm a cheapskate and will opt for the shot...explaining why, which got a giggle from the receptionist. So I hop on the bike this morning and show up in time for my 10:30am appt., only to walk into a waiting room packed full. The only chair available was due to one gal in a wheelchair....out of 24 seats. After signing in, I sat and waited for 45 min. past my appt. time and it dawned on me the same people were still sitting there. So I asked the desk if the dr. was running behind, which he was, over an hr. and a half. Did he have surgery this morning...no! I then asked if anyone had said anything to those still waiting...no, not their policy. I told her to cancel my appt., no rescheduling, then as I walked out I commented rather loudly "you really need to let these folks know he's running 90+ minutes behind."  As I walked out to the bike, about ten people came out behind me, including the gal in the wheelchair.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think a little common courtesy is due when the dr. is running that far behind. Let the people know, they can decide if they want to stick around. As for me, it's a beautiful day so I took the long way home; eight miles turned into more like fifty.

[RainMaker]

Time to find a new doctor.  Mine has never held me up for more than 10 minutes over the appointment time and always sits and talks with me before the treatment starts.  She listens first, then treats.  That's rare, I know.  She is a jewel and thankfully younger than me so I'll go before she does!

I appreciate someone who has the "cahoonas" to speak up when the doctor's golf lesson runs long.

[Valker]

When my 5 kids were all little, I found out that if I took ALL of them with me, my appointment time was when I walked in the door, and there was no waiting in a back room for a long period of time. After the first time, I asked if I needed to bring them back to stay on schedule....never had to do that again.

[Atl-Jerry]

That is why I always get the first appointment in the morning.  No guarantees, but the odds are in your favor.

[donaldcc]

Time to find a new doctor.  Mine has never held me up for more than 10 minutes over the appointment time and always sits and talks with me before the treatment starts.  She listens first, then treats.  That's rare, I know.  She is a jewel and thankfully younger than me so I'll go before she does!

 1+ Though sometimes the other choices might be poor also.  

 

[solo1]

Three weeks ago, I waited 4 1/2 hours in the waiting room. A new record!  No, I won't get another specialist, he's the best!

On the other hand, my family practice doctor keeps me waiting a max of 15 minutes, and he's good too.

Changing doctors doesn't always help plus reeducating the new one.

[BF]

My regular Doc is usually on time....or close to it.  I don't think that I've ever had to wait more than 10 or 15 min past my appointment time.  

However, my Urologist is a different story.  I've been going to him since my kidney cancer back in 2005.  The guy will be late to his own furneral.  

The secret to seeing my urologist is to make an appointment in advance and ALWAYS make it the absolute very first appointment of the day.  That way, I know I'll only be seen 30 to 45 mins after the scheduled appointment time.  Even though I'm the first appointment, it's ALWAYS a wait of 30 to 45 minutes before I get to see the guy. 

I've learned my lesson with this guy.  If I make an appointment later in the day, I'll be there 3 to 4 hours.  

Complaining hasn't done any good either.  He's got a sexy receptionist, so I pass the time enjoying the view or surfing the internet on my cell phone.  

[John Schmidt]

Trouble with finding a new dr. is.....this is a different one. I got tired of spending half a day waiting on the prior one, and he's really good. My wife gets upset with me because I refuse to spend half my life in a waiting room. When I take her to one of her appts. and it's running real late, I start bugging the gal on the desk. I finally told her neurologist that he's made plenty of money off her Parkinsons. If he wants to continue, then cut the waiting time down to under 30 minutes. He just sat and looked at me with a blank stare, I walked out of the exam room. My wife, however, nearly went postal on me when she was done. Final result....in the last six months I don't think we've spent more than 15 minutes before being called. She's in and out of his exam room in under 30 minutes, that's a huge improvement.

I know they have emergencies and will get called away. But every time, I don't buy it!?!?

[FloridaValkRyder]

You are so right John. Sometimes it's arrogance, sometimes it's indifference and yes, sometimes it's even understandable. But it really irritates the crap out of you. I have heard of people actually billing doctors for waiting time, of course to no avail. I have a great Dr. and he really tries to get you within 30 minutes or less (sounds like an oil change commercial) or they will tell you they are running behind. Just a little courtesy from them and a little speaking up from us can help..at least make us feel better!!

[Chrome]

Our family doctor had a sign in her waiting room that stated it you missed an appointment or didn't give 24 hours notice, she would charge you 20 dollars. When my youngest was young,we sat for over an hour waiting in her room. Now you must realize that I was born with no patience and a bad temper.Don't hear voices anymore though. I got mad and infront of a packed waiting room asked where the doctor was. Something came up was the receptionest's answer.I then told her that I wasn't given 24 hours notice from the doctor that she had cancelled my appointment and I wanted my 20 bucks. Of course I said it in a loud enough voice that the whole office heard me. Never got my money but the sign wasn't there next time.
Adrian(Chrome)V

[MarkT]

I do things to separate me in the Dr's mind, from the Great Unwashed (OK, the herd of livestock also waiting).   I don't take the first appointment, because the first ones mean I'll be sitting in rush hour traffic to get there.  One thing I hate worse than sitting in a Dr's office past my appointed time, is waiting on the Freeway parking lot.  I take an appointment right after rush hour, like 10am.

I regularly give the good doctor one of my mesquite smoked salmon fillets.  A couple times a year.  Costs me maybe $15 and buys me goodwill every time I need him to make a decision in my favor.  In fact, he likes me better than he likes his staff.  I just pick up 2 next time at Costco, throw them both in the brine then the smoker rather than one, when I make it for us. My salmon is a big hit with anyone who gets some - easy to make, tastes better than anything you can buy; I vacuum pack it with a Foodsaver and drop it off next time I'm cruising by his office.

BTW, the same idea works in other venues too.  I periodically buy a big bottle of hooch and give it to my local Honda dealer for their Christmas party - make sure all the employees are there when I drop it off.  A $34 bottle of Hornitos gives me great service indefinitely - reduced prices, no waiting, my bike gets serviced Right Now rather than a few days later - amazes me apparently practically no one else knows about greasing the skids for better service.  Nothing like a dose of honey rather than vinegar to make the fly happy.  What would happen if I used crap?  There oughtta be a joke somewhere in here...

[RainMaker]

I do things to separate me in the Dr's mind, from the Great Unwashed (OK, the herd of livestock also waiting).   I don't take the first appointment, because the first ones mean I'll be sitting in rush hour traffic to get there.  One thing I hate worse than sitting in a Dr's office past my appointed time, is waiting on the Freeway parking lot.  I take an appointment right after rush hour, like 10am.

I regularly give the good doctor one of my mesquite smoked salmon fillets.  A couple times a year.  Costs me maybe $15 and buys me goodwill every time I need him to make a decision in my favor.  In fact, he likes me better than he likes his staff.  I just pick up 2 next time at Costco, throw them both in the brine then the smoker rather than one, when I make it for us. My salmon is a big hit with anyone who gets some - easy to make, tastes better than anything you can buy; I vacuum pack it with a Foodsaver and drop it off next time I'm cruising by his office.

BTW, the same idea works in other venues too.  I periodically buy a big bottle of hooch and give it to my local Honda dealer for their Christmas party - make sure all the employees are there when I drop it off.  A $34 bottle of Hornitos gives me great service indefinitely - reduced prices, no waiting, my bike gets serviced Right Now rather than a few days later - amazes me apparently practically no one else knows about greasing the skids for better service.  Nothing like a dose of honey rather than vinegar to make the fly happy.  What would happen if I used crap?  There oughtta be a joke somewhere in here...

Well played, Zen Master.

[Steve K (IA)]

Here is how it is for me.  I think I am lucky!
I have a;
Dentist
Family Dr
Lung Dr
Heart Dr
Diabetes Dr

All of them I never wait more than a few minutes.  I usually ask if I have time to sit down.  Seriously!