I'm pretty much type A when it comes to being on time. In fact I am so concerned about being on time that I usually arrive 10 or more minutes early.

Today at the doctor's office is a good example. I was early for my 11 am appt but I figure it's either sitting at home or sitting in dr's office so I might as well be where I'm supposed to be. Less stress.

Problem is, not everyone is punctual. About 11:15, still waiting to be called, a couple signs in and are taken almost immediately.

I go up to the receptionist and am told they had a 10:45 appt and so were taken before me.

WTF? Why not take the person who arrives on time and let the people who are a half hour late cool their heels?

I've seen this happen more than once. People who arrive late for performances at one of the venues we attend are required to wait till the first intermission before they are allowed in (assuming the play has already started.)

Why late comers at the dr's office get priority is beyond me. 5 or 10 minutes I can understand but not 30.

End of rant.

Yeah, I don't understand that. If they could have taken you, they should have taken you.

I would have walked right out and found another doctor, that's bullshit.

At least you didn’t get the first appointment of the day then still have to wait 30-45 minutes. Kills me to have a 0800 appointment, the first, and not even be seen till almost 9.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I would have walked right out and found another doctor, that's bullshit.

+1.

Decades ago, I used to have a family doc that was always 15-30 minutes behind. And I always arrived on time. I dropped the doc after a few visits and went to see someone else.

I've seen some Doc offices say that if you are 10 minutes late, there is a fee, $35 to $50. Why come, can't the patient charge a late fee to the Doc???

I believe, like you, that being early is being on time and being on time is being late; however, when it comes to medical offices, I never get there on time. I have never been to a medical office and been seen at the appointed time. It's always ten to thirty minutes past the appointment. I figure why should I be on time if the doctor never is?

quote:

Originally posted by MattW:
At least you didn’t get the first appointment of the day then still have to wait 30-45 minutes. Kills me to have a 0800 appointment, the first, and not even be seen till almost 9.

Right on. I once had an appt. with an internist for, like, 8:15. Soon after, the office started filling. Twenty minutes later I overheard the receptionist ring his office: "Doctor, your patients are here". Jerk.

quote:

Originally posted by GWbiker:

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I would have walked right out and found another doctor, that's bullshit.

+1.

Problem is, this appointment was a follow-up to previous cancer (skin) surgery. In a couple months won't need to go back.

I've not had that issue at the doctors. I always arrive to everything early as well.

Typically, I figure people who are called back before me are either seeing a different doc, or have an appointment scheduled differently than mine.
The part that always makes me feel annoyed at doctors is the occasional time I've been called back on-time, but then sit in the room for an hour or more before the doc comes in to see me. Typically that's more of an Insta-care problem, for obvious reasons, but it happened at my Urologist once.

however, The family doc we see is great about scheduling. As for specialists, I see my Gastro the most, and he's always been very prompt.

Often the doctor does not know what his front office is doing. Let them know. If you happen to have their personal email, that's the best way to communicate - to make sure the staff can't cut off the communication.

Most of my doctors are really good about this sort of thing. The primary care doctor sends you home if you're more than 15 minutes late or treats you as a walk in. Generally I get called within 5 minute of my appointment time and no long waiting in the exam room before the doctor arrives. Happy to say I never feel like the doctor is rushed - he takes the time he needs for his patients.

Have you ever noticed that two other people have an appointment with your Doctor the same time that you do?

quote:

Often the doctor does not know what his front office is doing. Let them know. If you happen to have their personal email, that's the best way to communicate - to make sure the staff can't cut off the communication.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
THIS. IMHO it is ridiculous to stop seeing a doctor if you have to wait. I would not use email, but instead politely talk to the doctor. Most doctors are so burdened with email they do not even read it.

I also make it a practice to be nice and friendly to the person doing the scheduling. I then schedule my appointments when there is a greater likelihood to be seen on time. It is rather simple.

Once I specifically requested the first appointment of the day in an effort to avoid waiting and avoid exposure to as many sick people as possible. 8:00 AM appointment. After waiting almost an hour I got taken back and waited more. I asked and was told... The Dr starts work at 9:00...

It's a good thing a doctors office isn't a restaurant.

At my doctors office the bring you back at your appointment time.
You see the nurse first who takes your temperature,blood pressure, weighs you and records your height.
Then you wait fifteen minutes to half an hour for the doctor.
Unfortunately a few years ago the doctor at that practice I liked left. He decided to move to a practice that was ultra high end. Corporate executive type patients.
He would only see four to six patients a day.
The reason he was leaving the practice he was at was because of Obama care.

Because their time is worth more than your time, at least the way they see things.

I cut my doctors office some slack about that as they are usually pretty good and they always try to work us in if it appears we have something serious going on. If they are running a bit late I can check the news, emails, and SIGforum on my phone.

In 2012 I came home early from work in June and felt horrible. I took my temperature and it was 106. I called my doctors office and they said come in immediately and when I got there they called me into the back within 5 minutes which I am sure miffed some people already waiting. After a quick examination my doctor ordered stat blood tests and diagnostic imaging in the hospital lab which was just a short walk away. Blood tests showed numerous problems including my kidneys had shut down and a half hour later I was admitted to the hospital for a weeks stay for unspecified infectious disease.

A few years back I switched to a new practice. They charge a $150 yearly membership fee. Appointments start on time or even early. They have multiple locations where I can get blood drawn or shots. Video appointments from the comfort of wherever I am. I say jump they jump.