How long will you wait to see a doctor?

marriedgirl05 · February 2009

I ask because I left without seeing a doctor for the 2nd time today.

1st time - 14 weeks - sat in a room with nothing on but a sheet and my socks for an hour. After sitting there for an hour, I put my clothes back on, walked out to reception with my file (which I picked up on my way out of the room), and told them I could not wait any longer that day to see a doctor and needed to reschedule. The rescheduled me for later in the week, and it was very quick.

2nd time - today - sat in the reception room for an hour. At the 20 min mark I asked the reception about it because they have a sign that says to let them know if you haven't been called back in 15-20 min. She was very nice and said the doctor was running behind. At the one hour mark, I went back and told them I needed to reschedule because I could not wait any longer.

I understand that sometimes there are emergency situations, and I know several of the girls on this board have had emergencies that required a doctor be with them, instead of in the office, but this practice doesn't work that way. They have 2 doctors on hospital duty at all times and only 1 in the office. Both of the times I have waited an hour were with the same doctor. She is very chatty and is always running behind.

I'm just curious how long other people are willing to wait, or if I am just an anomaly. Btw - this is the only practice within 45 miles, so I'm kind of stuck. :-(

JLB0017 · February 2009

I usually am taken back right away but not seen right away, the longest I waited was for 1 hour in the same office I waited 2 hours for a GYNO appt.

I believe you wait for the BEST Drs.

CMM05 · February 2009

Wow! This is at your OB's office??? I never wait more than TEN minutes at my OB's office, whether its for an OB or GYN appt. I would be pissed and I would be finding a new doctor (but I know that's not an option for you....) The longest I will wait is about a half hour (I guess....) and it would have to be very worth it....

You are much more patient than I am. Have you said anything to the OB??? I would make mention that it has happened to you twice. Maybe the front office people don't know how to schedule????

jensahokie · February 2009

Wow... I thought that was only the military I have had similar appointments so far (at 6 and 12 weeks) and I heard at our base that you don't actually see a physician until 32 weeks.

As far as the waiting goes, I would say 30 min is an acceptable max. If they make you wait longer, THEY should come out and ask to reschedule you because it is their fault. I say this b/c I am a health care provider and I hate even making a patient wait 10 minutes.

MileHighGirl · February 2009

Are you kidding me??? I think that is completely ridiculous!!! I would ask to be scheduled first thing in the morning before the doctor has an opportunity to get behind on seeing patients.

AlpacaBunny · February 2009

At my very first OB appt at 12 weeks I waited in the waiting room for over an hour and DH was with me. We were both very annoyed but just waited it out b/c it was my first appt and we were very nervous. I would say with any other appt I would probably wait about a half hour before asking and then after maybe 45 min I would ask again. I would be pretty annoyed if it happened on a regular basis. Can you make your appts with one of the other doctors? Maybe that would be easier since they don't seem to run behind as often?

jensahokie · February 2009

JLB0017:

I believe you wait for the BEST Drs.

I just do NOT agree. Both DH and I are periodontists and practice separately (me in private practice, DH in USAF) ... I just asked him and while it is different than OB, there is really no reason if you schedule properly and run a good practice that you should routinely have patients waiting for an hour.

marriedgirl05 · February 2009

Yes - this time when I rescheduled I specifically asked to never be scheduled with that doctor again (I know it's something I'm going to have to watch myself. There's no way I can expect the receptionist to remember something like that!). The crazy thing is that both appts were at 9:30! How are you already more than an hour behind at 9:30?! I really think that doctor is just not using her time wisely. I have never had to wait more than 15 min for either of the other two. I'm just glad to see I'm not the only one who feels that this kind of waiting is ridiculous!

LVBlvd · February 2009

Do you see a doctor in OKC? I have actually waited 45 minutes or so for the doctor before, but never longer. I would have left if I were you too.

Temp159135562506975 · February 2009

since you don't have the option to change OBs (which is what i would do if I did have the option) I would make sure to call ahead before your appt and ask if the doc is running behind- and when should you come in.

there is NO reason to sit for an hour on an uncomfortable table, in a robe! That is HORRIBLE service- period. If the doc is running so late you should at least be able to wait in the waiting room for that time- in your clothing, in a nice chair with magazines.

MileHighGirl · February 2009

I'd be pissed that I wasted my time to go to the office on two separate occasions and not be seen by a doctor. You are a paying customer!!!! If they started losing customers/patients because of the wait, I'm sure they would figure out a way to see patients in a more timely manner. Their practice is a business...which depends on having a clientele.....without which they would go out of business.

Kim777 · February 2009

My doctor delivers 90+% of his patients' babies. He only doesn't deliver them if it is the weekend and he is not on call. He does leave the office during the week to deliver babies at the hospital, which is attached to their office building. So it is not uncommon at all to wait an hour plus for him if he has delivered a baby that day. I will admit that it is not ideal, but I adore my doctor, so I stick with him. Last time I told myself it would be worth it because he would almost certainly end up delivering my baby, but Rhett was born on Easter Sunday and my doctor wasn't on call. Just my luck! I think I would feel differently if I was in your situation, knowing that the doctor was not running late from delivering babies. I would also be annoyed about sitting in the exam room for that long. We at least get to sit in the waiting room until he is ready.

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