How long should I wait??

[minniebeth]

I just think it's common courtesy that if they're running behind and you're going to wait, then say so upfront BEFORE one goes in and gets undressed and then is just sitting there uncomfortably. If they are running behind and you're already in there, at least have someone knock and come in and tell you they will be another XX amount of time so at least you know they know you're waiting. Simple 30 second courtesy.

JoBird, I'm so sorry about your father...

 

[clovergirl5]

There was once a man who usually refused to see Doctors, but did so this one time b/c of some trouble he'd been having and sat in the exam room, waiting for the Dr to come in. After 45 minutes of waiting with a no show from the Dr, the man proudly and aggrevatedly walked out, exclaiming to anyone and everyone who would listen at the check out desk that his time was just as important as the Dr's and he refused to wait any longer.

6 months later, he was dead.

All because he refused to wait. The Dr may have found the tumor that day and saved his life.

That man was my father. My children willl never know their Grandfather.

I know it's hard to wait when schedules are tough and time is short.
But please- it may save your life to wait just a *few* minutes longer.

Jo


Jo

Im sorry for your dad...

 

[HelenePA]

I fell asleep waiting for an appointment once. In total I was waiting over 2 hours.. I was only awake for the first 45minutes of it.

 

[Docwoods]

This has happened to me.After forty minutes,I dressed and started to leave.The doctor was just walking in he asked me where I was going.I said I was leaving,because unlike him,I had to go to work.Just let people know.

 

[locolala]

I've sat in the waiting room for 3 hours waiting on a doc, then I finally got called back. He saw me for about 5 minutes, then had to go talk to the attending about the course of treatment. He was gone for another hour. I was in a bad mood after that.

 

[doxdogy]

DH is the only person I know that doesn't mind waiting. The nurse even turns out the light in the exam room, because they all know he is going to take a nap. They once heard him snoring all the way up at the front desk.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Have they paid you?

Not yet, but I did get a payback on my co-pays both times I did it. The whole point is to bring it to the attention where someone notice$.

 

[handinpocket]

This has happened to me.After forty minutes,I dressed and started to leave.The doctor was just walking in he asked me where I was going.I said I was leaving,because unlike him,I had to go to work.Just let people know.

I'm sure the doctor was in his office just goofing off, no way was he working.

 

[Marymom]

True Story-I knew another mom from my child's preschool class who needed to get a physical and tried a new doctors office. Her appt. was scheduled in the late afternoon on Friday. She was taken to the exam room, given a paper gown and told the doctor would be in a moment. An hour later, she pokes her head out of the room, noone is in sight. She gets dressed, the entire office is gone. She never went back.

Mary

 

[diznygirl]

I'm sure the doctor was in his office just goofing off, no way was he working.

I'm sure he/she is VERY busy. The point is there needs to be some sort of communication with the patient. I think at the very least after 30 minutes (and it shouldn't even take THAT long!) someone could stick their head in the room and let a person know they haven't been forgotten about.

Common courtesy is completely nonexistent.

 

[cntrygal]

when i believe my mom was pregnant with me or right before that, she used to tell about have gone to the dr. and was waiting for awhile for the dr to come in, the nurse poked her head in and said it would be a little while longer and please just stay in the room, then came back later on to tell her they would have to reschedule, THis was during the gas shortage and the hospital/dr office was 30 min away from the house.







when she went back she found out one of the drs had dropped dead in the office.

 

[mhsjax]

I've only ever waited for my OB that long if she was delivering a baby. Her office is small (in the hospital) so you can generally hear what is going on. If no one bothers to explain, I always left.

Also curious if Handbag Lady has ever gotten her bills paid.



I waited for an hour and a half at my son's pediatrician office the Friday before Christmas. I didn't have my phone, though, and just played with my son oblivious to the time.
The pediatrician himself walked in apologizing profusely for making me wait (I had to ask what time it was!) and explained he'd had to admit 2 kids that morning. I forgave him because he obviously felt terrible and I hadn't even really noticed, plus it was an emergent situation that had kept him.

Then the lady who checked me out said "I made your follow-up right after lunch so you won't have to wait." I said "It was pretty long today." and she goes "Well you had an appointment on a Friday before lunch, what do you expect?"
Totally undid all the kindness I'd received from the pediatrician himself. I just don't understand nasty people like that.
Besides, I'm a SAHM with no life. She has always set the appointments for me and I show up whenever she makes it. Witch.

That wasn't a very nice way for the receptionist to put it, but she speaks the truth. A lot of people wait until Friday and then just have to be seen before the weekend, even though they may have been sick all week long. Also the back log of the morning is the worst right before lunch. I spent 15 years in a Dr's office and now I always ask for the first one in the am or the first one after their lunch break, you usually get in to see the Dr the fastest that way.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I've been sitting on the exam table in my doctor's office for ab hour.
When should I give up, get dressed and leave?

Well, my limit is 20-30 minutes AND then I leave with NO co pay paid and re-schedule. I DO understand emergencies but mostly doctors offices just triple book, AWFUL for patients.......

 

[Jennasis]

I wwaited an hour once. When I finally poked my head out into the hallway, nobody could figure out who II was or why the doc hadnt seen me. Turns out the high school med assistant they had hired to check in patients stuck me in a room in the wrong wing of the office. They apologized profusely.

 

[MaumeeMom]

I fell asleep waiting for an appointment once. In total I was waiting over 2 hours.. I was only awake for the first 45minutes of it.

I did that at my 6 week check-up after my last baby. DH was w/ the kids & I was so sleep deprived that I just fell asleep on the table. I have no idea how long I was there but it was the best nap I'd had in months.

 

[disfan07]

The longest I have waited in the waiting room is 2 1/2 hours. the longest I have waited in the exam room is 45 minutes.

I have a cardiologist appointment tomorrow and even tough my appt is at 10, I know i wont be seen until AT LEASt 10:30. my doctor is always at least 30 minutes late for the appointments even if she has no one before me. If she has no one before me she goes to the hospital (which is connected to the tower where her office is) and checks on patients hs ehas there and than she comes back. She just doesnt always check the time. But i dont mind because she is an awesome doctor.

On monday I had to wait 45 minutes in teh exam room for my dermatologist. the 4 patients before me were all late for their appointments so it adds up.

BUT....for me, all of my doctors spend at least 30 minutes with me. My appointments are usually:
Cardiologist- 30 minutes
dermatologist 45 minutes-1 hour
pulmonologist- 30 minutes
allergist/immunologist- 1 1/2-2 hours

I figure its worth the wait for appointments this long.

Thsi is a weekly event for me. I just bring a new book and kick back and read while i wait

 

[locolala]

Disfan, with this pregnancy I'm in the doctor's office every other week until 30 weeks, then it's every week. So glad I'm on Tricare and don't have to pay for anything, lol.

This week it was a regular OB visit, in 2 weeks I have an ultrasound, then two weeks after that I have an appt with the genetics people and an ultrasound, then one week after that I have a cardiologist appt and a pain management appt, then one week after that I have another ultrasound. It's getting old.. 45 minute drive there, 20-30 minute search for parking since the structure is only one lane and multiple levels, then I wait to get called for vitals, then wait to get called to a room, then wait for the doc, then go to the lab and wait.. then go to the pharmacy and wait..

I hate having to wait, but we bring books or a handheld game and snacks. Appointments are all day affairs for me.

 

[disfan07]

Appointments are all day affairs for me.

yeah, those stink. I completely understand the all day appointments.

I usualy finish 1-2 books per week just waiting.

The only good thing for us is that we go into Beverly Hills for my appointments and my doctors are wonderful about fitting me in when the time works best for me so we are able to schedule 3 appointmetns a day so we only have to go in twice a week instead of everyday. Since we are in Beverly Hills we just make a day of it. We go to lunch, shop sometiems, go up to the floor at the hospital to see the nurses, etc.

We have to do it....we might as well make it enjoyable

 

[Silent1CB]

This has happened to me...I used my phone to call the front desk. When they answer just say "hi, this is >>>>>> in exam room 4. I've been in here for an hour, any idea when the doc will be in?" Said very pleasantly. I was amazed how quickly someone showed up!!

That made me giggle.

 

[HelenePA]

I did that at my 6 week check-up after my last baby. DH was w/ the kids & I was so sleep deprived that I just fell asleep on the table. I have no idea how long I was there but it was the best nap I'd had in months.

I really think they forgot about me. I was there for a check up with a pregnancy I lost before my last son. They scared the poop out of me when they opened the door! I think I scared them too!