I had a scheduled doctor's appointment today for 4:00 pm. I had received forms to fill out in the mail asking me to return the forms at least 2 days ahead of scheduled appointment. If not received I would have to reschedule my appointment. I filled the forms out immediately and put them in the mail. They also told me to arrive 15 mins ahead of scheduled appointment to register. I arrived at the office at 3:45. I checked in and was told I was all set, take a seat in the waiting room. There were 2 other people in the waiting area. As I sat there 3 more people came into the waiting area and checked in. At 4:15 I was getting a little annoyed but I do understand that doctor's get behind and are taking time with their patients. At 4:30 I am really annoyed. Everyone that was in the waiting room other than me had been called into the back offices. At 4:45 another person came into the waiting room, checked in and was taken to the back offices. I finally was ready to blow a gasket so I spoke to the receptionist and told her my appointment was scheduled for 4:00. She said "well he is running behind, what is your name?" I told her my name and she said "oh I thought they came and got you, let me go check to see what is going on." She came back and smiled and said the doctor will be right out to get you. Once he came into the waiting room to get me he apologized to me. I said nothing, what should I have said? Oh that's alright, I understand? No way, it was not alright and I was pissed. I am so sick of the medical field having no respect for their patients' time. My blood pressure which usually runs around 116 over 76 was 163 over 110!! I did have to laugh at that. The nurse said "oh I think this could not be right". I said, "no it has never been that high,it's because I am pissed." We both had a good laugh over that. Anyway, I am carrying on, but wondering, how long do you think you should wait before getting up and saying "I have been waiting for an hour for my appointment?"
About 2 years ago, I was left in an exam room for about 45 minutes. Finally I walked out in the hall and flagged down the first dr I saw who was a fellow. She appeared mortified that I had been 'lost' in the system. The dr popped in right after that. At the same apt, the audiologist asked ho long since my surgery (14 years). She thought i was a post op patient. The med center sent me a survey after the apt and I explained my experience in detail inccluding the fact that the dr had come in with 2 'students?) in tow and never introduced me to one of them much less asked my permission ahead of time. Don't you know the next year the first thing he did was introduce me to his students. I think we deserve to speak up for ourselves and occasionally the dr actually learns something and makes a change. But to your specific question, I think 30 mins should be the cut off.
Awhile back I heard about people writing there Doctors bills so I finally got do frustrated that I wrote my doctor one after he left me sitting in the waiting room for an hour. I wrote down everything I had to do that day and what I didn't get done because I was late. I put a price on the bill and told him I just wanted him to be a bit more considerate about letting people know who are waiting why he is late or at least that he knows they are there. He didn't pay the bill but he did take the amount off what I owed him. I never waited over 30min again.
You waited way too long. The doctor should have paid you for wasted time. I've left a doctor's office where I have to wait for more than 30 minutes and I make sure they understand NOT to bill me for the cancellation. Usually, I just fill out the forms and then take a nap until they call out my name real loudly. I have the ability to take naps pretty much anywhere.
We have been to three different Drs recently. At each visit we've waited from one half an hour to an hour between the waiting room and the exam room. I know Drs time is important to them but so is ours. If we are on time, why can't they be? It's really frustrating. Especially when you finally see the Dr and it seems like they're in a hurry with you. Also, many Drs now use computers. The first thing they do is check everything on the computer. It's so much less personal. They will ask questions and type, type, type. The whole medical field is out of control. I once waited 45 minutes, only to be told Dr had an emergency and had to reschedule. If I neglected to cancel an appointment with in 24 hours they would bill me $25.00. Ironic that they don't give it to you when They cancel. Between my husband, my daughter and myself, I have something scheduled almost every week, so don't get me started. Oh, one more thing. I was scheduled for a surgery and they came out to say there were complications with the patient before me so it would be awhile. FOUR hours later they took me in. And I got a bill from another surgeon. Apparently my surgeon didn't even perform the surgery and we were not even notified until we got the bill. Obviously I will never use that surgeon again.
Absolutely no more than half an hour after my scheduled time. I always ask to be the first appointment or the last one of the day. I prefer the first appt. as my first choice, but the last is also good as you usually have more time as there is no one else to see after you
Yesterday my daughter had a test scheduled at the hospital for 9:30. We were told to be there at 9:00 to go through registration and we were early. We got to the Radiology dept. by 9:15. At 11:00 I went to the desk and asked what the hold up was and was apologized to and told they mistakenly toke someone before her. The test is 1 1/2 hours. By 11:30 she was taken for the HIDA test. At the end of the test we were told that the dye injected had not gotten to her gallbladder as it should have, so we would have to wait another hour to redo the test. By 1:30 they took her in again and finally could complete the test. Now I'm freaking out. Does this mean the gallstones are blocking the gallbladder process? Then she will need to have it removed. Waiting for the results just compounds the anxiety. That was the single worst experience I've ever had with, "waiting." If it weren't for my daughter I probably would have caused a scene. I just kept saying to myself any minute now...we were both exhausted when we got home. And why aren't those chairs more comfortable???