How long is too long to wait?

Cheekers2010 · July 2014

I've been waiting 1 hour and 20 minutes to see my OB for my monthly appt. I think I waited equally as long last month. I feel like its pretty ridic especially because she isn't behind because of an emergency surgery or anything. That I could understand. I'm getting ticked. Can I say how much I miss my mw. I hate having to go to an OB.

bowlwoman · July 2014

My rule of thumb (and most doctor's offices that I've been in have a similar policy) is that if I'm waiting over 30 minutes, I'll go up and ask what the holdup is. Having consecutive appointments where you're waiting that long is just unacceptable, IMO.

Could you try to schedule your appointments to be either the first one in the morning or the first one after lunch? Then there's no excuse of having other appointments ahead of you running long.

brittandjp · July 2014

That's crazy. I love my OB and never have to wait more than 15 minutes max. They do occasionally reschedule if he needs to go into surgery or something though. I LOVE him and can't imagine going anywhere else since I've been seeing him since I was 18 and he delivered DD, but I'm not sure I'd stick with him if I had to wait that long every single time. That's ridiculous!

[Deleted User] · July 2014

The user and all related content has been deleted.

desertsun · July 2014

Ain't nobody got time for that!

I was super annoyed when they kept us waiting for our NT appointment for over 30 minutes. I never wait more than 15 to see my OB!

nopegoat · July 2014

I had waits like that with my first OB. Honestly I just figured it was normal because just about every Dr I have ever been to had crazy waits like that.

My OB with my second and this one have been really quick. I think the longest I have waited is maybe 30 minutes. I have to bring both boys with me to every appointment by myself so honestly if the wait was like that now I would switch in a heartbeat.

megbmeg · July 2014

Yuck! That's terrible. I don't think it is necessarily bc it is an OB though. I've had docs keep me waiting and others run much more on time. Sorry yours is sucking!!

megbmeg · July 2014

Just thinking - you should tell them you have a cancelation policy and fee. Appointments that don't occur within an hour of their start time (without med emergency/surgery to justify it) will be canceled and the practice will owe you a time wasted fee of $X.

If only, right?

weezy29 · July 2014

Normally, I'm fine waiting up to 30 minutes because I know I don't want to feel rushed when it's my time to see the Dr. I can deal with longer than that if there were an emergency situation/delivery but if the wait were consistent I would find a new doc!

drmh22 · July 2014

My appointment on Monday was at 4:00, I got there about 10 minutes early and was walking our of the building by 4:09. That is definitely not every ob!

racheldiaries · July 2014

That's frustrating! I think I've waited 20 minutes max. for any of the appointments I've been too.

ebilbao · July 2014

After an hour I would say something. After two late appointments, I would straight up complain.

Meether · July 2014

In NNJ that's Normal IMO. When I lived in NYC, I'd usually wait 2h, sometimes 3. So I asked the front desk what's the point of making an appt? She said uh well none really.... So the next time I just showed up there. They were like you don't have an appt? And I just told them what they said last time and that it made complete sense not to have an appt. I was actually seen within the hour that day. I go to a dr in NNJ now, where they avg an hour wait but we've gone 2h before.

CardsFan02 · July 2014

WOW! The longest I've had to wait was about 30 mins and that was on a Monday afternoon which is always the busiest. My last appointment I did my urine sample and then they took me. I mean I know how it is cause I work in the medical field, but that is to long.

What time is the appointment? Do you go on a Monday or Friday?

All of those are factors are what causes some wait time. Mondays and Fridays are the busiest, sometimes after lunch is busy as well because sometimes if another patient showed up late it throws the whole schedule off, but that happening as often as you are going in is unusual.

Jessie333 · July 2014

@Cheekers2010‌ how long did you end up waiting? Was it much longer after you posted?

I think I only had to wait that long once and it was because it was over Christmas and they were trying to squeeze in everyone who needed to be seen into their holiday hours.

Cheekers2010 · July 2014

She came in right after I posted. Part of it is that they're using a new computer system. But, still. It seems excessive to me. I really don't want to switch because I actually like this OB. I'd prefer a mw but since I can't have one, shes the next best that I've found. I'll complain next time.

mightymango · July 2014

Sounds like you have my old OB...hence old. My current keeps me waiting a bit but I'm usually so happy at the appointments that I dont care.

tbirt24 · July 2014

My OB usually gets you in a room fast but then takes forever to see you. Last time nurse gave me paper gown and said "undress and have a seat on the table." I sat there, naked, for an hour. Every time id convince myself to get up id calm myself and say she'll be here, hold on. Stupid conscience.

Cheekers2010 · July 2014

tbirt24 said:

My OB usually gets you in a room fast but then takes forever to see you. Last time nurse gave me paper gown and said "undress and have a seat on the table." I sat there, naked, for an hour. Every time id convince myself to get up id calm myself and say she'll be here, hold on. Stupid conscience.

That would make me really annoyed! Sitting there in a paper gown is so dehumanizing.

Want a personalized experience?

How long is too long to wait?

Re: How long is too long to wait?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards