How long would you wait?

[BabyFidgette]

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

After waiting in my Doctor office today for 45 minutes, I was sick of smelling someone's really strong rank cologne that stayed in the room even after the person left, and listening to 3 people on cel phones talking really loud, as well as a very loud and lengthy conversation between two women. I went to the window and told them to cancel my appointment and left. This also happened the last time I went to the Doctor (the same one).

Is this common??? How long are other people waiting to see their primary care doctor? I am seriously considering finding a new doctor, but I was wondering it this is common in doctor offices everywhere. I really hope not.

Thanks

I go to a walk-in center b/c that's where my primary is. It's great! I never make an appointment and they have me in and out pretty quickly.

[LoveyB]

I work in at Kaiser (not sure if your familiar with them or not) but its a huge hospital and clinic. Our Drs schedules are every 15 minutes witch is not enough time for a young healthy person, let alone the 90 y/o that comes in for multipal issues (it can sometimes take them 15 minutes to weigh them and get there vitals) My Dr has 2 exam rooms and if a patient comes in and there is a room open I put them in but sometimes if one shows up late it puts them behind, or if they have to admit someone to the ER or hospital (that takes a long time) I know it sucks to wait I used to be the same way until I see it from the backoffice!! I had to go to an appt the other day and I waited an hour (yea I was impatient and kinda pissed) but I just think about the times when I feel bad I have to tell the patient your Dr is running behind I will call you once I have a room. It makes my day a lot eaiser when the patient is understanding instead id of telling me off..Whatever I just try to stay positive and smile Sorry this is so long

[Breeze]

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

Breeze: My babies are named Daisy and Teddy Bear. I saw your pics, they are adorable.

All of your babies are so cute. We can't figure out how to put pics on here.

That is very sweet of you, thanks. If you look at the top of the forum you will see the words "Photo Gallery" click there to start your own album. Can't wait to see your pics!

[YorkyMommy]

I used to wait in my prior physician's office up to an hour. I finally got tired of the aggravation (sp?) of having 4 people scheduled in the same time slot and have found a doctor who is just as good if not better and is more respectful of my time. Good luck to you.

[Baby Blessing]

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

After waiting in my Doctor office today for 45 minutes, I was sick of smelling someone's really strong rank cologne that stayed in the room even after the person left, and listening to 3 people on cel phones talking really loud, as well as a very loud and lengthy conversation between two women. I went to the window and told them to cancel my appointment and left. This also happened the last time I went to the Doctor (the same one).

Is this common??? How long are other people waiting to see their primary care doctor? I am seriously considering finding a new doctor, but I was wondering it this is common in doctor offices everywhere. I really hope not.

Thanks

When I make my apointments now I try to get the first one of the day, we usually have to wait but not that long, found this works better for us. The staff is very understanding with Jack's medical condition so they do their best. What really is scarey is the long waits at our local hospitals, upon going to the Emergency Room one can expect to be there waiting up to 12 hours before being seen, that is really bad, been there done that and was too sick to know what, or when I was finally admitted as an in patient, and then kept in a hall on a guerney outside the emergency room waiting for a room within the hospital was told I was on hold there for 12 hours before finally getting into a room, which in some instances can be as long as 24 hours, that is big time bad situation. Is it like this in other places through out the country? Patti

[magnolia]

Originally Posted by Baby Blessing

What really is scarey is the long waits at our local hospitals, upon going to the Emergency Room one can expect to be there waiting up to 12 hours before being seen, that is really bad, been there done that and was too sick to know what, or when I was finally admitted as an in patient, and then kept in a hall on a guerney outside the emergency room waiting for a room within the hospital was told I was on hold there for 12 hours before finally getting into a room, which in some instances can be as long as 24 hours, that is big time bad situation. Is it like this in other places through out the country? Patti

Morning Patti! Unfortunately, I think ER's across the country have this problem - I know ours does. If a patient does not come in via ambulance (those patients are taken straight into a room), then the others who walk in (or are wheeled in) the waiting area and check in have to wait. At our local ER, patients are triaged and those who are the sickest are taken to the back first - ex: patient throwing up, stomach pains, obvious broken limb, chest pains, difficulty breathing, etc. are taken back before someone with a laceration that will probably just need cleaning and stitches or someone who came in with a sore throat or ear ache. I also know, because I used to supervise the clerks in our local ER, that some people will wait until the doctor's offices close to go to the ER because they can't be refused treatment (have to pay co-pay up front in the physician office whereas the ER, if you don't have the $$, will still see you). That puts a strain on the ER and staff and those who really need the use of the ER are made to wait because of it. I'm so sorry you had that experience - know that it does happen elsewhere. Suzi

[snickers mom]

depends on the kind of doctor you are seeing...
obgyns can take forever esp if they have a patient in labor (my max waiting time was 3hrs btw - me and the other patients had pizza delivered to the waiting room lol)
my average wait time for a reg doc 15min - 30min
i worked for a few different doctors - larger practices seem to have a longer wait
specialists vary - some are perfectly on time to the minute others its a much longer wait
if you are squeezed in... 90% of the time you are looking at an unspecified wait time
pediatricians i wait 45min on the regular

[snickers mom]

and longest wait time EVER
was 5hrs - my dtr had a major seizure and we still waited that long at the childrens hospital - left there at 1am!!

[reese10]

i usually call ahead about 10 minutes before i'm about to leave my house. i'll call and ask if the doctor is behind or on schedule. if he is behind then the receptionist will give me a time frame like "come in in 15 min"

[bren]

Originally Posted by Baby Blessing

When I make my apointments now I try to get the first one of the day, we usually have to wait but not that long, found this works better for us. The staff is very understanding with Jack's medical condition so they do their best. What really is scarey is the long waits at our local hospitals, upon going to the Emergency Room one can expect to be there waiting up to 12 hours before being seen, that is really bad, been there done that and was too sick to know what, or when I was finally admitted as an in patient, and then kept in a hall on a guerney outside the emergency room waiting for a room within the hospital was told I was on hold there for 12 hours before finally getting into a room, which in some instances can be as long as 24 hours, that is big time bad situation. Is it like this in other places through out the country? Patti

I know of someone who went into the ER because he was having chest pain and they took so long to take him that he passed away right in the ER! His wife kept telling everyone that someone needs to help him but they were so busy. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE IMO!!!

[lolabella]

Whenever I am going to a doc's office, I grab a book to read and don't even look at the clock once I am there. I found that keeping time just aggravates me unnecessarily. Once I am settled in a seat with my book, I don't even notice the people around me, and the time passes by. Book or needle work. Otherwise, it would be hell-ish IMO.

[Rae Rae]

I hate waiting in the emergency rooms. They have that scale of smiley faces to rate your pain, I always bump mine up about 3-4. If I don't I know I'll be there forever. One time they thought I had appendacitis (sp?) and waiting 12hours to do a test. Results weren't available until almost 20hrs later!!!!

[Doodlebug]

Regarding the emergency room waits, I have a niece who used to take her kids to the emergency room for everything...cough, sore throat, low to moderate fever, .... things that were NOT emergencies. She told me that because of her insurance or medicare or whatever she had, it cost her less to go to the emergency room than a Dr. office. I don't know if this is still true or if it is really prevalent, but if so, it is really sad. It is not fair to people who have a true emergency to have to wait for someone there for people who should be in a Dr. office.

[Rae Rae]

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

Regarding the emergency room waits, I have a niece who used to take her kids to the emergency room for everything...cough, sore throat, low to moderate fever, .... things that were NOT emergencies. She told me that because of her insurance or medicare or whatever she had, it cost her less to go to the emergency room than a Dr. office. I don't know if this is still true or if it is really prevalent, but if so, it is really sad. It is not fair to people who have a true emergency to have to wait for someone there for people who should be in a Dr. office.

Are there acute care centers in your area? Maybe she should just go there. I'll admit I've gone to them before, usually for emergencies, but once for something I could've went to the doctor, but didn't want to wait and had no time when there were available appointments.

[Doodlebug]

I don't know of any acute care places around here. I have seen trauma centers that are not close to here. I think they are mainly for a really bad car accident or something where a helicoptor usually flies people to these centers. There are none really close that I know of.

I remember a boyfriend I used to go with who went to the emergency room for a sprained ankle that happened when the doctor office was not open. He just stepped down wrong and twisted his ankle and it was swollen a little and it hurt but he knew it wasn't broken. If it was me I would have taken some aspirin, put some ice on it and wrap it up. I remember he phoned his ins co to get it approved and they said no. He argued and argued about it until they finally agreed to it. I think the ins companies would be tougher to approve this now but I don't know. Maybe it's just me...I hate going to the doctor and avoid it whenever possible. I'm even more nervous to go to an emergency room and have never had to go to one myself. I don't know, I just think emergency rooms should be used for true emergencies.