UPDATE - you would NOT believe...Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

I go to A LOT of drs. A lot. I get that their schedules are relative and arbitrary at best, but today I am sitting at a brand new Dr, and have been waiting for 2 FLOCKING HOURS. Really? I called to make sure he was running on time, since I left during *lunch* to come here. It took me 5 minutes to get here....I am ready to lose my flipping mind.

So...WWYD?

UPDATE: First of all, thanks everyone for your responses. Here is what happened: I posted from my phone, while I was waiting. This Dr is a Rheumatologist, and I *might* have RA or Fibromyalgia. Anyone who knows me IRL or is friends with me on FB knows I have been having some serious medical issues for a while without any diagnosis. FF to today, where I have an appointment. They squeezed me in, so I expect some sort of a wait. I am sitting there forever, literally 5 feet from the front counter, making steady eye contact with the receptionists. I hear the ladies at the counter ask each other when I can go in. I hear one lady say that the emergency threw the schedule off & they'd get me back to an exam room when he was done. I fall asleep - literally. I wake up at 4:30 to another receptionist asking me who I was there to see. I tell her I was Dr. Xs 2pm appointment. She then proceeds to YELL AT ME that I should have told them hours ago that I was the 2pm, and now the Dr has to go home & cannot see me. I FLIP. I MEAN FLIP. It is not my job to run their office, it is their's. I overheard them talking about how MY 2PM got pushed for the emergency. She then asks when I want to reschedule, since the Dr has to leave. Really? I LOST my MIND!

PS I called my hematologist & got another referral. That Dr called me back from his car & had an initial phone consult with me & apologized for his fellow medical professional's poor behaviour. I have never been so furious in my entire life!

Message edited 1/28/2011 8:44:34 PM.

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

oh he LL no! I'm sorry!

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

If I had an appointment and waited for 2 hours.... well, I would've been gone after 1 hour.

No appointment... I'd suck it up and wait.

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

20 minutes; I've seen this posted at a Dr. office; If you are not called in 20 minutes, tell the receptionist Mary

PS I actually stopped being a patient at one Dr.'s office, because he made everyone wait way past their appts. consistently!!!! Then, why do we have appts.?!!!! I can understand an occasional emergency, etc. but always treating patients this way is unacceptable, IMO. We have schedules too!!! Mary

Message edited 1/28/2011 4:19:06 PM.

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

I'd never wait more than 1 hour, and I'd be fuming

ETA: If you are that far behind schedule, call me & reschedule!

Message edited 1/28/2011 4:17:03 PM.

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

1 hour MAX. And that has to be because they are running late at an emergency, or it was hard getting the appt in the first place.

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

An hour. Unless it was so urgent that I literally could not wait another day to be seen, or unless the MD or his staff explained to me why I was still waiting around (another patient took priority for whatever reason).

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

My gyno is always overbooked, but I'm hesitant to find another doctor and I always end up waiting forever. One time I had a 9 a.m. appt and didn't get into work until almost noon. I was waiting for over 2 hrs. It's total b.s., but it's only 2x/yr, so I suck it up and deal with it.

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

at my 36wk OB appt, i waited 2hr 45 min in the waiting room, then another 35 min in the exam room. I switched OB 2 weeks later.

my absolutely cutoff is 1hr now.

Message edited 1/28/2011 4:23:42 PM.

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

You won't find me in the waiting room after 45 minutes have passed unless I absolutely need to see the doctor that day.

I always try to make my appointment the first of the day to avoid unforseen delays, but that's not always possible.

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

dude, my OB was 4 to 5 hours WAIT. EVERY TIME.

I wanted to kill myself. SHE was awesome. but the office sucked. they wre just so busy.

when I had my weekly appts I would lose my mind.

I haven't been back. I no longer have that much time to waste anywhere that doesn't involve my kid.

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

25 minutes.

Then I ask the front desk person for an update.

If they don't take me in the next 5 minutes, see ya.

I know I'm a doctor's "patient," but don't take advantage of my time.

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

My high risk OB...2 hours on average...and dont get me started on the day there were no friggin seats to even sit down in. Rest assured, for my next child I will be getting a new OB

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

An hour at most. If I needed to be seen I would suck it up but never go back.

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

My doctor's are all part of a medical facility and usually I don't wait more than 10 mins. But this past December I was waiting in the Dr's office for an hour during lunch.

The office was filled with elderly ppl and I swear they were taking the doctors hostage!!

So I just rescheduled and came back at a later date.

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

This makes me freaking nuts. I also love how they'll cancel you if you show up too late but they have no issue leaving you sitting there for hours. Why is their time any more important than mine? Because of a piece of paper on the wall? I dont think so.

For the gyno, I try to make the first appt of the day, her office is notorious for this.

Only other time I'll wait is if i'm dying sick and I need meds...anyone else, I'm out after half hour.

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

at my OB during pregnancy this was always an issue. I have waited up to 2 HOURS!

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

After my daughter was born I had a LOT of odd, strange health issues. I had a catalog of doctors and doctor appointments to go to.

No I couldn’t just walk out. I had to stay because the appointment took FOREVER to even GET. Was I ticked? Oh yeah I was furious. Worse they spent like 5misn with me and rushed me out (or tried to) But hey I waited long for the pleasure of your attention Mr/Mrs Doctor I deserve and DEMAND your full attention!

Still, I have to say I’ve waited all various times from 20mins to an hour. Rarely ever more than that. If so, it was usually my last time.

I hate that I have NEVER EVER been to a doctor who is on time. Seriously why bother?

And don’t get me started on my daughter’s ENT who DOES make me wait nearly TWO HOURS to see him – dang it if he’s got a GREAT doctor in a very specialized field! But oh yes, I lay into them.

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

I have waited 3 hours to see my OB.

I b*tched very loudly, but I waited every time. He must have lost some patients or something but he actually changed his ways and I haven't waited more than 15 minutes in a long time.

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

luckily i rarely have to wait more than 1/2 hour. after 1 hour, i'd ask for an update from the staff. when i go to the doctor, its cuz i really NEED to, so i dont have the luxury of leaving.

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

Half hour then i start getting nasty. The only time i cut some slack is at the ob. I mean if a kids coming, a kids coming.

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

Re: Here's a practical question...how long would you wait at a Drs office?

I used to wait over 90 mins (sometimes longer) to see my neurologist.
I was soooo happy when I went to the 2nd or 3rd appt. and saw a sign she no longer accepts our insurance! Good Riddance!
She was horrible.
I wish I found the dr. I use now a heck of a lot sooner!