Doctor Appointments Wait

Gather App
Guns.com Vault
Funny you should ask. Was just at the doctors office yesterday for a 3pm appointment. Now I arrived and checked in 15 minutes early. Was taken back at 3:15 and the doctor finally strolled in the exam room at 4 with a casual "sorry I'm late", big grin and a handshake.

I was p'oed at 3:30.
 
If waiting bothers you, avoid the VA... I get really tired of waiting there a lot of the time. Some have been wafting for hours.

Other doctors aren't as bad, but can still reach or exceed 45 minutes.
 
80-90 seconds max. But seriously I see a urologist and optometrist who are excellent at getting the most out of an appointment. My dentist has a lot of children as patients so sometimes schedule gets haywire and my GP is good at working people in on short notice. I never wait more than 2-3 minutes at the urologist. A bit longer at my GP and optometrist but neither will push their many elderly patients out the door until they are satisfied all was understood. My dentist just worked through lunch with staff so I could have a crown repaired in a timely fashion.
 
Texas Star said:
If waiting bothers you, avoid the VA... I get really tired of waiting there a lot of the time. Some have been wafting for hours.

Other doctors aren't as bad, but can still reach or exceed 45 minutes.
Click to expand...

Trust me, I know what it's like at the VA, taken my dad there numerous times.
 
I had heart concerns last night. I called the doc at about 845am, got an 1115am appt and he walked in the exam room about 1120am. They referred me for a stress test hoping to get me in today or tomorrow. They can't fit me in until Monday afternoon.
 
I only wait 1/2 hour beyond my scheduled appointment, that applies to the Dentist also.

Then I just leave and have them reschedule me at a later date.
I probably have a little comment in my file "Not a waiter":)

Remember, when you leave it cost them money.;)
 
My new primary doc, a Russian lady (my doctor of 27 years retired), is usually quite punctual. The staff of the group practice do a very efficient job of keeping things on track. I have no complaints so far.
 
My local clinic has a waiting period of less than 3 days for an appointment for non urgent care, I rarely wait over 10 minutes past time to see someone.
I have told many Dr's that I do not mind them being late [less than 30 minutes past] if it means they will spend the extra time on me when I need it. As I know the Dr's I use this helps me get in fast and get the needed care when I do need it.
 
Lee Barner said:
jimmy, I've got an old Border Patrol cap I wear to the Dr's office. when I walk in, several folks remember they were supposed to be somewhere else. lee
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On the few occasions I've had to go to the emergency room I've worn mine. This hat will clear out the waiting queue in a hurry!
Jim
 
I try to cut docs some slack because their daily schedules are probably kicked in the rear by their 3rd patient in the morning. I just get a bit annoyed when they cut my appointment short to make up for falling behind earlier.

But anything over a 30 minute wait and I'm looking to send him a bill for my time!:mad:
 
I make my appointments for early morning. I get there early and I am usually done and on my way before my appointment is suppose to start. I never have to wait.
 
I had an 8:15 app. just the other day. I did it that early specifically because I knew I had a conference call to be on at 9. The doctor didn't even show up until 9:10 !! Guess what? I was out on my conference call! I came back in and told them I wanted worked in and I was very surprised when they walked me right in and the doctor said no problem...Weird but true..
 
You posters complaining about the VA-are you going to a clinic or to a hospital?

I avoid the Clinics outside the hospital since several of my friends go there. They love them, but say because of the number of folks who use them, there is a wait.

I go to Bay Pines (now Bill Young) and never have to wait. I have something wrong with my throat or maybe lower. I went to meet for a pre-EGD exam, was taken in before my appointment time, kept there for a very reasonable time, they were very nice, explained everything, told me what they might find and asked me if I'd like to be the first patient on the 28th when they do the EGD!

BTW, they told me when I was there, they could do the EGD much sooner, but MY life got in the way and I asked about the 28th.

Maybe it's just that VA hospital. Although I was talking to another guy I shoot with who goes to Haley in Tampa who said the same thing applied to him-never a wait.

Again, maybe it's just the hospital I use and, perhaps, the one in Tampa-but the care and length of time to get things done is very reasonable.

Bob
 
Living in Massachusetts we've had forced health care for some time...However, i never had a problem with waits or making appointment until this year...hmmmm what changed....You used to call, say your sick and see the doctor later that day, in some cases an hour later.. now it takes approx a week to 10 days to get into to see my primary. Once there it's anywhere from 1/2 to 1 hour wait to see him.. Specialist doctors are much better with their schedules...I don't blame my primary, it's not his fault....So many primary doctors have left Massachusetts in past years to greener pastures....Where are those greener pastures now.
 
KKECK5 said:
So many primary doctors have left Massachusetts in past years to greener pastures....Where are those greener pastures now.
Click to expand...

I can guarantee you that those pastures are not here. We are chronically short of doctors and nurses here and I thinks it's getting worse.
 
I’ll wait no more than 30 minutes then I leave and let the staff know why I’m leaving.

I always make my appointments as early in the morning as possible, less chance of Dr. getting backed up.
 
Dr. Do you fly commercial very much?

Why do you ask?

Because I just might be the pilot of your flight, and I'm not waiting for you there either!!!!!!!



WuzzFuzz (retired from the flying stuff) as well as the Fuzz
 
jimmyj said:
Hi:
How long do you wait pass your scheduled appointment before you start getting irritated (POed)?
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I have waited sometimes 10 minutes and sometimes over an hour. I don't go to the doctor very often. When I go, it's because something is really wrong. If I go to the doctor, I'm not going to quibble over time. When he gets to me, I want him to take his time and do things right. If that means he has to take more time with someone else ahead of me, that's O.K. by me.
 
After I had open heart surgery back in 1994 I found a doctor to take care of all my tests, etc. I went to that man for 12 years and had to wait 5 minutes ONCE. Other doctors are not so nice or organized!!

I give them 30 minutes then walk out. My time is as valuable as theirs!!
 
I can't complain my doctor stays open late for me, then we go for martinis. If I have to wait, he is afraid that I will bill him - then he would have to start billing me.
 
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:)
I'm a retired physician so I can speak from experience. There are two breeds of doctor- #1 will take as long as your problem requires. #2 allows you 15 minutes regardless of the situation. In my experience they are about half and half. If appointment punctuality is important to you, find a #2. Myself, I go to a #1 and know he will take the time he needs. To be fair, I am retired. I suppose if my time was critical (e.g. bomb disposal, NSA analyst) I might feel differently.
Buzz (cockerpoodle)
 
When I was younger I never went to the doctor office or hospital unless it was something like broken bones or stiches. Then after about 65 years of life things started falling apart. I am now at seeing my GP twice a year after taking blood tests and my kidney group once every 8 months after taking blood tests.

Both of these doctors know that I will walk if I am not seen within 10 minutes of my appointment time....the way I figure it I get the first appointment of the day and I am there 15 minutes early so the nurse usually call me in about 10 minutes early and does the blood pressure and basic questions---the doc will show about 5 minutes after the nurse is done. If no doctor by 10 minutes after the appointment time I leave and on the way out the door I stop and at nurse's station and tell them to have the doctor call if something show up wrong in my tests. The doctor loses the price of the visit and will see them 6 or 8 months later.
 
I'm gonna loose my Doctor. He is going to keep only 450 of his 2000 patients. I'm one that could stay but don't want to pay a monthly fee to do so. He is a fine man a very good Doctor. Saved my life several years ago. Sure hate to have to move on. Thanks to the new way of our lives.
 
I hate waiting for anything and a doctor's office is the worst. I started taking my own magazines too as my primary doctor has not much of anything. He's good and spends time with me so I deal with him sometimes being late.
I have an appointment for end of month early afternoon right after their lunch so hope he isn't backed up then.
My surgeon once left us waiting three hours but he had an emergency he went to the hospital for and his staff informed us. I didn't like it but he is normally on time with his appointments so that was an exception. Hopefully though I won't be needing his services again soon.
I go to a pain management doc too for my back pain. They're sometimes a bit behind and since they sometimes want a urine sample it can be uncomfortable too waiting. Good news is I've cut back on my meds too and may soon quit his practice as well.
 
My doctor gets you into the examining room within fifteen minutes or so however, you then wait up to an hour for him to grace you with his presence! Really annoying.

One of my specialists will charge you for your visit if you do not cancel one full working day before the appointment or you show up more than thirty minutes late. The policy wouldn't bother me except the doctor has made me wait nearly two hours after my appointment time to see him and once went on vacation without informing me my appointment was cancelled. He should have to pay me.
 
I am a VA patient for all my medical requirements and have been for a very long time. I went today and it was a very typical example of the health care I receive through them. My appt was for 10:00 AM, so I arrived at 9:30 as per normal. I was called in at 9:45, and was out the door at 10:15. I have NEVER received anything other than excellent care, concern, and consideration from any of the various medical personnel with whom I deal on a monthly basis.
I read the various gripes that are posted on this forum, about the poor care and horrible waits, and I don't understand why the posters put up with such deplorable medical care. Just pack up your wallet, take out a short term loan, and move into the civilian marketplace to get the medical care you think you deserve. As soon as your complaining A** is out of the system, my waiting time will be reduced even further, and the quality of my care will increase. You don't need to be wasting your time with the VA, as they will never be able to meet your standards. No one can, including you.
 
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