Do you have to wait a long time to see your doctor?

@reinydawn (11643)
United States
November 4, 2008 11:39am CST
I have been to my doctor's office twice in the last week and was amazed that I got in and out in about a half hour each time. Both times, the waiting room was totally full, but I got called to see my doctor way before most of the people in the waiting room. There are about 5 or 6 doctors in the office that I go to, so I know they aren't all waiting to see my doctor. It got me wondering if the other doctors are more popular, or do they overbook, or maybe they just take way too much time with each patient. I don't feel that I'm rushed with my doctor, she answers all my questions and we chat about things going on. I just kinda feel bad sometimes that I get back to my doctor while people have been there waiting before me. Do you have to wait a long time to see your doctor? Or do you get in right away?
1 person likes this
4 responses
• United States
5 Nov 08
It truly depends on the doctor I see. My family doctor usually has me in and out of the office. I don't like waiting around so this is great! The orthopedic visits depend on who is seeing me. The practitioner usually sees me right away. The doctor takes his dear sweet time.
• United States
5 Nov 08
Often times they double or triple book their patients in case one or more of them cancel or just don't show up. This isn't fair to those who are on time for their appointments.
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@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
5 Nov 08
I know! That used to always irk me. I'm so glad I haven't been caught in that with my doctor now. Either she doesn't have a lot of patients, or she respects those she has... Or, I'm just luckly lately!
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@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
5 Nov 08
I remember with my kids pediatrician it would take forever to see the actual doctor so I'd always tell them the nurse practitioner was fine with me. They have almost all the same knowledge and the treatment is just about the same. There were a few things the doctor had to see them for and I hated waiting for over an hour after my scheduled appointment to see him. A few times I just told them that I couldn't sit around and wait for the doctor to miss my appointment, he'd have to reschedule with ME.
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@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
5 Nov 08
Hey reiny! I used to work for doctors and I can tell you that basically they all overbook or book way to close together. I could tell you lots of reasons why doctors are always running late! They take phone calls in the middle of exams. I sometimes have a very long wait to see my doctor. It depends on what he is doing. If he is doing a physical which takes an hour I can be waiting a really long time. And those appointments are booked in advance. It is very rare for a doctor to be on time, and if they are there is something very wrong!lol
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
6 Nov 08
I have not had to wait at all to see my doctor the last couple times I was in. I was pretty amazed - and very happy! But I'm wondering if I'm her only patient....
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
6 Nov 08
I think my frosting days might be over for a little bit... I gotta see how my cholesterol comes back first :)
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
6 Nov 08
lol If you are then she must be billing your insurance company an awful lot of money!lol Why don't we just not bake one of those non-baking cakes with non-frosting? I'm in the mood for some batter! And would you like some frosting?
1 person likes this
@rusty2rusty (6751)
• Defiance, Ohio
4 Nov 08
I have had to wait almost 6 hours one time to see my doctor. He was behind and he was the only on ein his office. He has since added another staff member to help. Now the waits are not as long.
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@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
5 Nov 08
Was that from the time you called the office or from the time you arrived for your appointment? I mean if I was there for an appointment at one time and had to wait 6 hours, I'da been GONE... But calling for an appointment and not getting one until 6 hours later, that's about normal....
• Defiance, Ohio
5 Nov 08
That was the time I arrived at the doctors with the appointment made 2 months in advance. The wait now is about 2 hours. As the doctors does alot of in procedures. That take longer than just a regualr visit. That is why is hired additional help. But waiting in long lines is nothing in a big city. I have had to wait 2 hours one time in an emergency room when my son had his thing caught in his zipper.
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@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
5 Nov 08
Yeah, I can understand the emergency room waiting (ouch for your son!), but if you have a SCHEDULED appointment, 6 hours is a bit much. I'd tell them they have to reschedule. I live right outside a fairly large city - Washington DC - and there's no cause to make someone wait that long. I changed my doctor because I had to wait over an hour after my scheduled appointment. I'm sorry but my time is valuable too - sick or not...
• United States
7 Nov 08
My doctor is good and I rarely have to wait very long. I will tell you the girls in the office leave something to be desired. I do not know what is going on but the last two times I scheduled an appointment for my husband someone has put down the wrong date and time in the computer. I also had an argument with one of the girls on the phone this summer over some papers. I complained about it. I do not know what is going on but they need help in there. Last time they got the appointment wrong I had called to see if they recommend that my husband see them because he had that nasty cold for over a week. The girl who scheduled the appointment said "I have an opening for today at 11:30 with one of the other doctors or he can wait until tomorrow and see his regular doctor?" I picked the other doctor and today at 11:30. When we got there the girl put him down for tomorrow with the other doctor at 12:30. Whats up with that? The had to fit us in and then we had to wait for longer than we usually do.
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
8 Nov 08
Oh geeze!!! What a mess!!! I've had to do that kind of stuff before and I'm so glad my doc now is much better than that.
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• United States
16 Nov 08
Hopefully things will get better the next time I go in.
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