Why is it that we have to wait so long to see a doctor? I'm sure I'm not the only one who has made an appointment, rushed to get there on time only to.... WWWWAAAAAIIIITTTTT for anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. I haven't had to wait more than hour, because I get up and LEAVE!
I can understand if the doctor has been called away or is delayed because there was an emergency. I've had that happen. Then when the receptionist explains it, most people in the waiting room understand. But on a regular day, why do we wait so long? And is it just around here? If you are reading this in another part of the country and you don't have this problem, I would really like to hear from you.
I have seen doctors in Boston (for my shoulders)and the doctor's office in Waltham. I have been seen by doctors at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD because of a drug study I am involved in, and I must say I never wait there! I have an appointment, I show up, they see me. Many times before I can even finish the article in the magazine. Here at home....I wait. I have a doctor who is upset with me because I didn't get some bloodwork done, but when I went to the local lab, I waited for one hour, then got up and left! I'm sorry but my time is just as important as the doctors. And if the arguement is, "We're very busy," then hire more people! It looks like business is good! Or, if you can't handle that many appointments in an afternoon, don't book that many! I know there are only so many hours in a day, don't try to cram in so many people.
The straw that broke the camels back (I always feel sorry for the camel when I use that phrase).....the one that really sent me over the edge occurred this week. I went for a phsyical at 3pm. This had been scheduled for 6 months. I had it in my calendar for 3pm. When I walked in I was told I was late, I should have been there at 2pm. I apologized, saying that my calendar had 3pm and they said there was no way it was at 3pm because that's when the doctor saw sick people. Okay. Maybe I made a mistake. Did we reschedule? Yes. They can see me in 6 months! Good thing I feel okay. Maybe I should have coughed a few times and claimed to be a sick person.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
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2 comments:
I am a resident of Dartmouth; my "regular" doctor is up in Hyde Park - my parents were referred to him 20 years ago and since he's such a great doc we don't mind the hour drive. Besides, when we need some kind of surgery we go to the Baptist Hospital - which is, hands down, one of the better hospitals in MA, in my humble opinion.
I almost never wait more than 10-15 minutes for my appointment. When I do wait a little longer (I've never waited an hour) I don't mind, as my doctor will Always see you the same day if you're sick.
I had to get a chest x-ray, and went to Milton hospital - I was in and out of there in under an hour! It was the late afternoon on a weekday - but still, for it being my first time there it was incredibly efficient.
The one place that is really very very bad is going to the Emergency Room. If you think waiting an hour is bad at your doctor, try waiting 6-8 hours at our beloved local hospital :) In all fairness I've never been in an ER in any other hospital so I cannot make any direct comparisons.
If we, as responsible citizens go to the doctor's appointment on time, we should expect to be seen within a reasonable time. If it happens too many times seek another doctor - there's more than one game in town!
Most appointments have been close to the scheduled times the last couple of years. I did have a doctor in Mattapoisett who always kept patients waiting much too long.
It was very difficult to get a referral from that office also.
When it always happens, it's probably time to shop for a new PC.
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