[Strawberry]

I'm curious if any of you have to 'wait' a long while each time you go to the Dr. office? This morning my appointment was for 9:00 a.m. and I waited 45 min in the waiting room and another 20 minutes in the exam room. Add that to the interviews by two 'student' doctors and I got out of the office at 11:45 a.m. It isn't a lot of fun to sit and wait so long. I felt like getting up and leaving about 30 minutes into my 'waiting' period.

 

[foxl]

Sounds like you use an academic medical center ... not unusual for those long waits! Unfortunately.

I go to a private teaching hospital, but rarely wait, for my endo or my internist.

 

[joe_h]

my doc used to be really bad would have to wait at least 1 hour sometimes 2hrs. BUT he is great and takes his time and talks w/ you and answers any and all questions.

they have improved his scheduling now and the wait time is usually less than 30minutes and he still has time to talk

 

[Don Egan]

I'm curious if any of you have to 'wait' a long while each time you go to the Dr. office? This morning my appointment was for 9:00 a.m. and I waited 45 min in the waiting room and another 20 minutes in the exam room. Add that to the interviews by two 'student' doctors and I got out of the office at 11:45 a.m. It isn't a lot of fun to sit and wait so long. I felt like getting up and leaving about 30 minutes into my 'waiting' period.

We have the same problem. We even have to wait unto 30 min for blood work.

 

[Wink]

I always try to get the first appointment of the day - before something throws the schedule off. Seems to work pretty well.

 

[Checochinican]

Something I learned a long time ago - many doctors triple book each time slot, just in case someone doesn't get to the appointment. Can't have any down time, you know. Might lose a buck or two.

 

[Shanny]

Vicky's trick works pretty well for us too, and if you can't get the first slot in the morning, try for the first slot after lunch.

 

[thcri]

I always try to get the first appointment of the day - before something throws the schedule off. Seems to work pretty well.

That works pretty good for me too. I will even postpone an appointment a week or so out to get the an earlier one.

 

[Strawberry]

My appointment today was the first one of the day, plus I made it on a Wednesday which is the day she works only until noon. One time I went on a Friday at 1:00 and got out of there just after 5:00 p.m.

foxl - you are right, I do use the academic medical center where I may or may not have student (s) doctors involved in the appointment. I don't know if I have the right to decline seeing a student, but I kind of think I don't. I know they have to learn somehow, but I had a migraine this morning and all I could think of was getting out of there and going home. I don't think they realize that pain changes personality. I felt really grumpy and was not myself.

 

[anuradha.m]

We have the same problem. We even have to wait unto 30 min for blood work.

If you go to a large hospital this happens regularly. My doc has no secretary so he fixes his own appointments. Diagnostics are a different scene altogether, we have to wait for the reports usually, two days wasted for those totally

 

[FergusC]

At my local GPs surgery ,they're pretty goodat getting you in, But at local hospital the consultants are pretty dire usually 1hr to 90 min late worst was 16:50 for a 15:00 appointment. Timekeeping is obviosly not taught in med schools!

 

[DocWhitley]

I guess I am Lucky! Not only are my appointments usually on time... BUT my Doctor is sooooooo Sexy it makes me happy I am Diabetic! I will admit I always get there 30 minutes early and I explain that to them on my first visit so they know that if they are light for the earlier appointment they can always take me... WHY??? because if I get there at 9 for a 9:30 and you get there at 9:05 for a 9... GUESS WHO THE DOCTOR WILL SEE FIRST ? A lot of times if you are not there 15 minutes early... I still get seen first. I also tend to have all of my questions or concerns written down and have everything prepared... The key is have it written down... I have seen my Endo 3 times now and she said that she usually sees her patients every 2 months for about a year... After looking at my control and structure she has said she will see me in a year... I opted for the 6 month appointment instead. I guess I am saying the key to being seen on time for me is be early... Be prepared... and tell them what you want or need.... Example is the migraine- I would have gotten a shot of Demerol right there while in the office. If I need to wait there for the thirty minutes they want to watch you why not try to get the shot