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Post by librarylady on Apr 29, 2021 21:34:55 GMT
Had an eye problem this week and had a 10:15 AM appointment.
Arrived at 10:07 (the receptionist records the time), and began my wait. There are 3 laminated cards in the waiting area that say something about "We realize your time is important. If you are waiting as long as 30 minutes, please tell the receptionist." This is a practice of 5 ophthalmologists.
Shortly after I checked in and sat down, another patient went to the desk and reported that he had been waiting 35 minutes, and per their instructions, he was notifying her. Other patients were being called back (with 5 physicians there is no way to know whose dr. is seeing those patients). At 45 minutes, I went up and told her I had waited that long and why was the wait so long. She replied, "I don't know. I saw your time and asked and no one has replied." A few minutes later I was taken back by an assistant who asked all kinds of questions, checked my vision and then took me to the back waiting room (where one waits when dilated) and told me to now wait there. I was greatly annoyed and replied, "Are you kidding me? More waiting?" She said yes and moved on. In about 5 minutes I was taken back. Short wait and the dr. came in the exam room. He jumped right "to business" but never apologized for the long wait. It was now 65 minutes after my appointment time.
So, do you find this excessive? I do. I groused to my siblings who told me it was just fine and I had no reason to complain. I do expect to be called to the exam room before 30 minutes pass--unless the receptionist tells me, "We are running late today."
Am I out of line? Should I expect to wait over an hour past appointment time to see a physician?
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Post by laurasw on Apr 29, 2021 21:45:35 GMT
It does really stink to have to wait that long but I feel like I have long waits more often than not. I'm actually surprised when I can get in and out in a fair amount of time even though it should be that way. Sorry for your long wait!
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Post by elaine on Apr 29, 2021 21:45:42 GMT
No, you shouldn’t have to wait.
Yes, it makes me incredibly angry when it happens to me. And it happens to me not infrequently.
I hate being at their mercy.
I go home and bitch about it to my Dh and then try to let it go, because I can’t change it. (You know, the whole serenity prayer thing)
I don’t have much of a choice who I see, really - military medicine. And my oncologist is usually the one I have to wait an hour + past the appointment time, but he is one of the best in the hospital (splits his time between Walter Reed and NIH), so I’m not going to rock that boat. My ophthalmologist is the other one that is usually very late, but I need her particular expertise.
I validate you.
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breetheflea
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Jul 20, 2014 21:57:23 GMT
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Post by breetheflea on Apr 29, 2021 21:49:47 GMT
OBGYN's are the worst for waiting. Or they'll call you back, make you undress and then leave you there for an hour (I'd rather wait in the waiting room where at least there's something to look at!). I had one nurse offer to turn the light off and let me take a nap because it was taking so long.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Apr 29, 2021 21:59:56 GMT
Ophthalmologist yes, no choice.
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paigepea
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Post by paigepea on Apr 29, 2021 22:00:34 GMT
I feel it’s more the norm. Many drs overbook their day so they get paid more and then need to take extra time with each patient. I don’t complain about waiting if the dr takes all of the necessary time with me. If I waited and I feel rushed in my appt them I’d be upset. An hour is excessive though. Perhaps your dr was called to an emergency. That happens to my dh. He can be running well and on time and then get called to the ER and it can throw off his whole day. That is often why the OBGYNs run late, because they’re running to see women in labour.
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Post by christine58 on Apr 29, 2021 22:47:42 GMT
I got up and left my dentist office after waiting for almost an hour. Told the receptionist that making me sit that long with no explanation was unacceptable. I told her she had not better charge me either. Called the next day and rescheduled. My dentist, who I love, called me later and apologized. They had an emergency and I should have been told. I have no problem if there’s an emergency that takes a dentist or a doctor away from people who are waiting. Common courtesy says you just let the person know. I would’ve gone and found something else to do and come back in an hour instead of just sitting there. And this was before Covid
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Post by Basket1lady on Apr 29, 2021 23:01:03 GMT
Unfortunately, I wait that long all the time. I’d say that’s a normal wait time for military health care (Tricare). Doctors are scheduled 7 minutes for regular appts, which obviously isn’t achievable. So they are behind with the very first appt. And I’ve been that patient that puts you behind by a good hour. (And I was darned grateful to have the attention of my doctor in a true emergency.)
when the kids were little, I’d always ask for the first appt of the day. As a diabetic, I’m now allowed 30 minutes which still isn’t enough. I saw a new doctor yesterday (only a 30 minute wait!) and she wanted to go over a bunch of stuff while I had other issues that I wanted to discuss. It’s a pain, but it’s free. There’s always a trade off.
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peabay
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Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Apr 29, 2021 23:12:35 GMT
If it was 4:00, I'd forgive a wait like that - a couple of really sick people and they get pushed back. But 10:07? How far behind could they be at 10:07?
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CeeScraps
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~~occupied entertaining my brain~~
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Jun 26, 2014 12:56:40 GMT
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Post by CeeScraps on Apr 29, 2021 23:20:46 GMT
I don’t take well to that. I would of probably gone out more than once.
I will say when I get taken back, put in a room and I wait I will open the door. They don’t like the door open. If someone says something I’ll tell them how long I’ve been sitting inside the room.
I do at times turn my timer on. It’s interesting to see how long it takes for someone to get to me.
Yeah……there time is valuable. So is mine.
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Post by lisae on Apr 30, 2021 0:19:00 GMT
It would not be unusual at our main ophthalmology practice. Sometimes it goes quickly but more often it doesn't. They are famous for how long you end up being there for even a routine appointment and yet they have grown into the largest practice in the area with offices in several towns. I've been to one of the other offices and the wait is worse!
There have been times when the wait was due to them taking emergencies. I was one of those when I scratched my cornea a couple of years ago and I really appreciate them seeing me with no notice so I try to be patient.
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Belle
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Jun 28, 2014 4:39:12 GMT
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Post by Belle on Apr 30, 2021 0:29:59 GMT
No, you should not expect to wait an hour for you appt. I would only schedule the first appt of the day going forward or I would look for a new doctor. And the office staff should have been communicating with you several times over that hour to explain what was going on or offer to reschedule.
Not really related but currently, due to Covid, my eye doctor has all patients wait in the car..the waiting room is not open.
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Post by leannec on Apr 30, 2021 0:30:00 GMT
I'm in Canada and my family doctor is pretty good ... I get to see him within 20 minutes of my appointment My mum, on the other hand, sees another specialist (can't remember what he's called), and it's always at least three hours for her ... stupid! I used to take her but now I don't because I can't handle the wait! Oh, and I have to work
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Post by CarolinaGirl71 on Apr 30, 2021 0:39:39 GMT
I always have to wait for my eyes to fully dilate - usually 20-30 minutes. I don't think 30 minutes is excessive in waiting to be called back the first time, but it's at the upper limit of my tolerance.
They may over book because patients don't show and don't call. Otherwise they are sitting around wasting time when they could be seeing patients.
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Post by chaosisapony on Apr 30, 2021 0:43:31 GMT
Having been on the other side of the counter I would get so pissed when the doctor would run behind for seemingly no reason. Sitting there doing reception receiving the death glare from people waiting is no fun. The doctor I worked for kept the exam room door open and I would frequently wind up taking him a note and slipping it right to him that would say "3 patients waiting" "11:00 appt waiting" or something like that because he just wasn't paying attention.
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Post by peasapie on Apr 30, 2021 1:41:32 GMT
I don’t mind waiting if an emergency came up but I’d like to be told.
With the corporatization of practices, expect to see more of this. I have switched doctors because of this.
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Deleted
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Oct 24, 2024 1:24:06 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2021 2:01:48 GMT
I’m the receptionist at a law firm primarily handling real estate closings. We have been behind after the very first appointment but it’s usually well beyond our control. The lenders don’t have documents for us. The lenders get behind and can’t review loans fast enough to fund. I’ve had to tell people that we’re running an hour or more behind and thankfully most understand the issue.
I’d expect to be informed for an excessive wait. Give me the control as to whether or not I’m able to stay or if they’ll need to reschedule.
Tomorrow is end of month...always a good time. 😂
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Post by maryland on Apr 30, 2021 4:11:24 GMT
I would be upset for waiting that long with no explanation or apology. I understand that emergencies happen, and all they need to do is to say so and I am less annoyed and understanding. But it's frustrating when they don't let you know why you have such a long wait.
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milocat
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Post by milocat on Apr 30, 2021 4:37:08 GMT
I'm in Canada and my family doctor is pretty good ... I get to see him within 20 minutes of my appointment My mum, on the other hand, sees another specialist (can't remember what he's called), and it's always at least three hours for her ... stupid! I used to take her but now I don't because I can't handle the wait! Oh, and I have to work I'm in Canada and my family doctor is an hour behind at least. I've had the first appt and still waited an hour. We have 3 family doctors at our clinic and it's horrible, because they are always squeezing people in. Well not now, during covid they are treating us like lepers and you have to give your firstborn to get an appointment and even then you still have to win a lottery or something.
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Post by leannec on Apr 30, 2021 4:46:26 GMT
I'm in Canada and my family doctor is pretty good ... I get to see him within 20 minutes of my appointment My mum, on the other hand, sees another specialist (can't remember what he's called), and it's always at least three hours for her ... stupid! I used to take her but now I don't because I can't handle the wait! Oh, and I have to work I'm in Canada and my family doctor is an hour behind at least. I've had the first appt and still waited an hour. We have 3 family doctors at our clinic and it's horrible, because they are always squeezing people in. Well not now, during covid they are treating us like lepers and you have to give your firstborn to get an appointment and even then you still have to win a lottery or something. That would make me insane! Like I said, my doctor is good! I'm thankful that he's the only one I ever see
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Post by Really Red on Apr 30, 2021 14:44:59 GMT
A couple years ago my ex had his lense drop behind his eye (yuck) and he had had his stroke recently and I took him to the ophthalmologist. It was VERY serious. We had to go to the dr about 5 times prior to surgery and then at least 10 times after. No visit was under 3 hours. Not one. NEVER taken in on time and made to wait, wait, wait.
At one point, probably 6 or 7 visits in, the doctor had seen us, it had been about 2.5 hours and he asked us to wait again. I did not sigh externally, but I asked if it was going to be much longer and he just exploded and told me that today the focus was on Mr. Ex and that is all I should be thinking of, because he (Dr. Eye) had a dying dog and if Dr. Eye could put his dying dog out of his mind to focus on Mr. Ex, I should be able to be patient. At that point, Dr. Assistant said, "This is Dr. Ex's EX-wife and she's being nice by taking him to his appointments." I could have kissed her. Dr. Eye never was faster, but he was not mean again. FWIW, I had to be at the appt because Mr. Ex could not do it himself and the seriousness of the eye meant someone had to be with him. NEVER again. Just absolutely NEVER. OP, I am sorry, but I agree with others. Eye docs seem to be the worst.
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Post by Skellinton on Apr 30, 2021 14:57:22 GMT
Last time I went to the doctor I was called back to the exam room after 30 minutes in the lobby where I then languished an hour and a half. It was freezing cold and I was seriously contemplating fashioning a blanket out of the paper table cover and cotton balls. I finally opened the door (I was fully dressed) and positioned myself in the doorway because the hallway was at least warmer. Thank goodness I never travel without a book, so at least I wasn’t bored,
When I had surgery it was over 2 hours late, I was stressed to the max about the surgery and STARVING until my husband got a nurse and told her I was about to rip the iv out and just walk home. She gave me something to relax which put me right to sleep thankfully.
I don’t recall ever being seen on time at the doctor’s office unless I was the first appointment of the day.
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Rhondito
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Post by Rhondito on Apr 30, 2021 15:33:52 GMT
I can see how doctors run behind when patients make appointments for one thing, and then bring up three other ailments while in the exam room. Multiply that times many patients per day... Still it's annoying. Our time is valuable too.
Years ago when I first got in to see my neurologist (it took 6 months for an appointment) people would tell me to pack a lunch because I would be there a while. I thought they were joking; they weren't. I've been in her office for 4 hours at times, sometimes more. She moved her practice and over the last year or so things have gotten better - usually 2 hours is the longest now (in and out the door.) It's not fun, but she's the only person who has been able to get my migraines under control so to me, it's worth the long wait.
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Post by baylorgrad on Apr 30, 2021 15:36:41 GMT
I was in the waiting room at my doctor's office several years ago and watched as a man went to the receptionist and said he had been waiting almost an hour past his appointment time. He said, you guys charge patients if they don't cancel with enough notice or if they're late to the appointment -- can I charge you since I've been waiting here so long? The receptionist said no, I'm sorry. The man said that's bullshit and walked out.
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Post by workingclassdog on Apr 30, 2021 15:40:03 GMT
It's irritating as a patient that I make the time and effort to always be on time and even early. I understand it's beyond their control if other appointments run late and so forth... in your case I would be annoyed. I don't feel like an eye appointment should really run that far over?? Are they taking people that are running late? Then when I see these signs saying if you are late you void your appointment and get charged an office fee. But you don't get a refund when you have to wait. Ugggg.. that said.. I just show up with my phone/book and expect the worst.
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Post by hop2 on Apr 30, 2021 15:48:47 GMT
I have left practices if the Dr is HABITUALLY late. Some Drs just can not seem to practice on time and some think, for some reason, that their time is more valuable than yours or mine.
I do not leave the first time a Dr is late, especially if there has been communication about it. Especially if they had an emergency.
I left my endocrinologists office after a 3 hour wait, he was habitually 1 hour late so i combat that by scheduling the first appt. To which he was 3 hours late, all the time the receptionist telling me over & over he’s almost here, you can’t leave there isn’t an opening for months. I was done.
Then I left a GP for being 1 1/2 hours late after being habitually late previously then putting me in an exam room & laughing in the next room for another 45 mins with a drug rep. I walked out and asked for my copay back as I had to get my kids off the bus. To top it off his staff was angry with me for wanting to leave 2 hrs & 15 mins after my appt time, telling me I should have set aside more time. More time than 135 minutes for a routine check up? Hell no.
Occasionally in the case of an emergency WITH communication I expect but all the time - I don’t have the time for that. Grow up and learn how to schedule yourself
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Post by Restless Spirit on Apr 30, 2021 16:01:19 GMT
Don’t get me started. Would you like to hear about the time I waited over 6hrs to see an ophthalmologist in Texas?
I love my current ophthalmologist, but his office has changed over the years. He has 3 optometrists working for him, so I haven’t seen him in over 18-24 months. I really hate that because I’m a glaucoma patient and he is the one that performed my surgeries. I’m right on the brink of going to the optometrist that does my RX exams for my eyeglasses.
His office has had a very large turnover, his office staff is completely new every six months. They now seem to have a practice where if you come in early for your appointment whether it’s 15 minutes 30 minutes or an hour you can jump the line and you were taken right back. It was getting so ridiculous right before the pandemic. All of these old old people would come in an hour before their Actual appointment and there I would sit and sit and sit. I’ve complained about it to them but they don’t seem to care.
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Post by elaine on Apr 30, 2021 17:27:27 GMT
It's irritating as a patient that I make the time and effort to always be on time and even early. I understand it's beyond their control if other appointments run late and so forth... in your case I would be annoyed. I don't feel like an eye appointment should really run that far over?? Are they taking people that are running late? Then when I see these signs saying if you are late you void your appointment and get charged an office fee. But you don't get a refund when you have to wait. Ugggg.. that said.. I just show up with my phone/book and expect the worst. Ophthalmology appointments *can* take very long. They aren’t measuring your visual acuity, they are trying to diagnose eye problems. They are different from Optometry appointments. I started out as one of those emergency appointments because I came into my PCM complaining of double vision. And when she ran a simple follow my finger test and one of my eyes wasn’t moving correctly, she sent me straight to Ophthalmology as an emergency. I was the one who made other people wait that day. I’ve since had 4 eye surgeries and now only see the ophthalmologist once a year, but it was much more often for a while. And the wait was always awful. But, she is a nice doctor, and I didn’t have choice if I wanted to keep my vision.
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hannahruth
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Post by hannahruth on May 1, 2021 4:30:13 GMT
I don’t mind waiting for appointments as long as when I get in to see the dr. I don’t get rushed through.
I appreciate that we all want a thorough examination so as long as I get that I’m fine.
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cycworker
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Jun 26, 2014 0:42:38 GMT
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Post by cycworker on May 1, 2021 6:30:18 GMT
Had an eye problem this week and had a 10:15 AM appointment.
Arrived at 10:07 (the receptionist records the time), and began my wait. There are 3 laminated cards in the waiting area that say something about "We realize your time is important. If you are waiting as long as 30 minutes, please tell the receptionist." This is a practice of 5 ophthalmologists.
Shortly after I checked in and sat down, another patient went to the desk and reported that he had been waiting 35 minutes, and per their instructions, he was notifying her. Other patients were being called back (with 5 physicians there is no way to know whose dr. is seeing those patients). At 45 minutes, I went up and told her I had waited that long and why was the wait so long. She replied, "I don't know. I saw your time and asked and no one has replied." A few minutes later I was taken back by an assistant who asked all kinds of questions, checked my vision and then took me to the back waiting room (where one waits when dilated) and told me to now wait there. I was greatly annoyed and replied, "Are you kidding me? More waiting?" She said yes and moved on. In about 5 minutes I was taken back. Short wait and the dr. came in the exam room. He jumped right "to business" but never apologized for the long wait. It was now 65 minutes after my appointment time.
So, do you find this excessive? I do. I groused to my siblings who told me it was just fine and I had no reason to complain. I do expect to be called to the exam room before 30 minutes pass--unless the receptionist tells me, "We are running late today."
Am I out of line? Should I expect to wait over an hour past appointment time to see a physician?
I think you are a little out of line, in one sense. Your appointment started once you were first called back so really, they weren't 65 minutes late. The appointment didn't start when you saw the ophthalmologist; it started when the assistant tool you back, asked the questions, and checked your vision. Certainly nothing wrong with 5 to 10 minutes between finishing with t he vision testing, questions, etc & when the doctor was actually ready for you. I regularly have to wait 40 minutes after that before I get in to see the actual doctor. An appointment at my ophthalmologist is an all morning, or all afternoon, activity. That's just how it goes.
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