I don't know about the rest of the world...but I am certainly getting fed up with Doctors who waste my time. Let's be honest here...we all are dependent on them at some point and time in our lives for healthcare, especially if we are chronically ill.
The past 2 1/2 months have not been easy for myself or my husband. Back in July I was referred to our local big regional medical center for facial pain. I am not comfortable with that Medical Center/Hospital since 17 years ago I had a really horrible experience there. I prefer to use our local hospitals to receive my care.
Anyway...in July I am referred to the one pain clinic and I must say...the doctor's there are NEVER on time for your appointment. Then they refer you out to see this or that specialist...okay...I have done all of that. About 3 weeks ago, the surgeon I was seeing was 2 hours and 17 minutes late for my freaking appointment! There is nothing worse than sitting in a damn exam room for 2 hours freezing your butt off, waiting for your doctor to come in. He finally comes in....10 minutes later I walk out. Geesh....all of that waiting for a 10 minute appointment. Again, referred out for more testing, consultations and appointments.
Now I have spent the past 2 1/2 months doing everything they wanted me to do. We finally get the surgical procedure scheduled (2 weeks ago) for this coming Monday. They run me back down to the Medical Center today and waste another 6 hours of my time seeing 2 different doctors, more tests and I signed my papers. I leave thinking...okay...finally, we are getting this done on Monday.
Well, I walk into the house and play my phone messages. I had a message from doctor #1 telling me that they decided (at last minute) to cancel my procedure! WTH???? You couldn't tell me that while I was in the office earlier today? *grumble* I am so pissed off right now! My hubby has missed 7.5 days of work in the past 2 1/2 months driving my butt around to all of these appointments and tests.
Listen up Medical Doctors....your time is precious...we all know that...but you need to get with the program and realize that your patients time is also precious. We work and have family obligations just like you do. Employers don't like employees missing a lot of time off work to run around and do all of this stuff and then at the last minute you back out....Furthermore, I don't mind you being late 15 to 30 minutes for my appointment time, however, being 2 hours late and not notifying me first is unacceptable! I should of been given the opportunity to reschedule my appointment instead of sitting in a room half naked for 2 hours waiting on you.
That is my peeve for today!
Shelly
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3 comments:
That is horrible Shelly and I have no idea why doctors do what they do and be so inconsiderate.
Almost 2.5 hours late that is really crazy and you should have been notified.
Unfortunately this will never change...
I'm in the process of switching doctors and I interviewed the office staff prior to making an appointment.
1. Average wait time
2. Does doctor take time to listen and explain
3. Does doctor give referrals when needed or requested
4. Does doctor involve patient in their care and take their thoughts into consideration when prescribing treatments or therapies.
I'll find out next Thursday how truthful the staff was.
This is also a peeve of mine! My time is just as precious of their time and I don't appreciate having to wait 2 hours for my appointment. I have been told that Doctors over book due to cancelled appointments but what gets me is that a lot of Doctor's Office now charge if you cancel your appointment in less than 24 hours...so they are still making money!
I did have a Doctor a few years back (before moving to Arizona) that only scheduled one patient every 15 minutes. On my first visit this Doctor spent about 20 minutes talking to me and I was shocked! Later on I found out that this Doctor had left another practice because he felt that they over booked to much and he wasn't able to get to know his patients so he decided to open his own office.
Dee,
I loved your idea of about interviewing the office staff!
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