How long do you wait at doc appt?

[mackmama]

I had an appointment scheduled 30mins ago, and I am still in the waiting room waiting to see the doctor. I am new to this doctor so I am trying to understand if such delays are common in their practice. When I asked, the receptionist was unapologetic and dismissive. I was on time for my appt, and there are no emergencies ahead of me. I was told they usually run 35-45mims late because other patients are often late. Is this normal? Maybe I've been lucky, but I have never waited so long when I have an appt and am on time.

[ashleybama24]

Depends on the time of day and doctor. Our pediatrician - we waited once in 18 months for maybe 10 mins. My midwives - we usually have the first appointment of the day and we hardly wait. If we have an appointment closer to lunch it could be 20-30 mins. They usually have at least one doing appointments and a second as backup who is also on call for the hospital. If someone is in active labor and people have arrived late or had "emergency" appointments it can be a wait. My old OB/GYN I would wait a MINIMUM of 30 mins in the waiting room and then an additional 15-45 mins in a room. Made me so mad I left when I got pregnant with #1.

[Jo]

20 minutes and I start complaining. After an hour I walk out and find a new doctor. I have done that twice.

[KrisM]

When I was pregnant with DD, I waited 45 min to 1 hour every single time. But, he was the best chance for a VBAC in my area, so I figured I could do it.

Since then, I switched and told him why and now I don't wait for more than couple minutes for any of our doctors. The kid's doctor is always on time, as is their dentist.

[erosenst]

DD's ped and my internist are part of the same hospital-affiliated group, but in two separate locations. BIG signs everywhere to let the receptionist know if it's more than 10 minutes past the appointment time. I think twice in 4.5 years we've waited more than that at the ped's - and both times were kept apprised that a complicated patient was right before us...which I totally get. I've waited more than that once at my dr's because of a mixup - and everyone was falling over themselves apologizing. (I hadn't said anything because I was being sqeezed in, and it was only about 20 minutes.)

The ped we saw exactly twice (before switching) kept us waiting 45 minutes both times, with no apologies. That, and her stance that kids don't need Tylenol for even extended teething, created the quick switch.

[ZeeBaby]

All of the medical professionals in my family say that if you want to be in and out pick the earliest appt of the day. I always try to do that. I don't usually wait more then 15 mins.

[maestramommy]

For my ped, almost no time at all. The only time I've had to wait long is for an urgent care appt late in the afternoon, and I get this one ped who likes to chat. I got him two weeks in a row and he was sooooo apologetic the second time around:p

For all other docs I don't think I've waited longer than 15 minutes.

[sweetsue98]

I know it's frustrating because no one wants to wait. Unfortunately Drs are allotted a certain amount of time for each patient and if those patients are late or if the appointment runs longer than the allotted time then every appointment can be backed up. To elminate the wait try appointments earlier in the day. Also, after 15 minutes, I would complain to the receptionist. Hope the appointment went well!

[SnuggleBuggles]

Hardly at all, thankfully. With my midwives they were a less than 5 minute wait and my favorite part was that my midwife would get me from the waiting room so the appointment would start right away. No wait in the waiting room and again in the exam room.

My current primary Dr. does something called same day scheduling- call in the AM for an appt for whatever (UTI, strep, well exam...) and they get you in that day. Limits the number of no shows and is really nice.

My ped is almost always a 5 minute or less wait so the one time it was 45 minutes (ugh) I cut them some slack.

Beth

[scrooks]

My ob is usually 15 to 20 minutes. I have waited up to an hour. I know...it sucks but unfortunately I love my doc. For the pediatrician its usually 5 to 10 mins in waiting room then an additional 5 to 10 in the exam room. I am impressed with the speed of everyone elses docs!

[DebbieJ]

One of our very close family friends is a family practice doc, so I have a bit of insight into this issue.

The main reason doctors fall behind is that the patients call and make an appointment saying they have this one issue. So the receptionist schedules the time accordingly. Then the patient shows up and, not only do they have the original issue, but they have 5 more things they need checked out too. Then their allotted time in the schedule goes over and it is a domino effect.

Yes, there are times when the doctor is late and of course there are emergencies, but what I described above is the #1 reason doctors get behind.

Since learning that I've had a bit more compassion and understanding about wait times. AND I've been a lot more descriptive and clear about WHY I am making an appointment.

[wellyes]

I was told they usually run 35-45mims late because other patients are often late.

If that's the case, it's a really poorly run office. Running late once in a while is expected, but if it's "usually" they're obviously doing something wrong. Booking more people than they can accommodate, most likely. If they always run an hour over, make each appointment longer and extend the workday. Nothing change for them, but patients are much happier.

For my primary, my ped, my OB and my dentist, appointments are on time or within 5-10 minutes.

[ett]

All of the medical professionals in my family say that if you want to be in and out pick the earliest appt of the day. I always try to do that. I don't usually wait more then 15 mins.

Yup, I usually try to schedule the first or second appt of the day, or after lunch if the office closes for lunch.

[niccig]

All of the medical professionals in my family say that if you want to be in and out pick the earliest appt of the day. I always try to do that. I don't usually wait more then 15 mins.

My ENT surgeon...over an hour. I learnt to have first appointment if possible,if not, bring a book and not have to be anywhere afterwards. I had a lot of follow-up appointments and I got to know the receptionist, would offer to go get coffee etc, and she always got me the first morning appointment.

I was waiting one time and a couple complained, a nurse came out to talk to them and the DH asked if there was another ENT surgeon, and she said "you really want to wait, it's worth it." And he is.

Thankfully, I don't have to see him very often. I have to go in 2 weeks, I've got a 10 appointment, which means he'll see me around 11-11.30. If it was for anything else, I would find another Dr...but this is my voice and I want to be a SLP, so need to see the best.

[LMPC]

For my ob/gyn, DD's ped, and our dentist 15 minutes tops. When we have taken DD in because she was sick, then the most we have waited is 20 minutes. DD's ped even has a sign up that says "if you have been waiting more than 15 minutes, please tell us!"

I agree with trying to get first thing in the am appts. That seems to help.

[fumofu]

Our family doctor is usually on time. If there's a wait it'll be 15 minutes max. Except one time when I was there for a prenatal appointment and I had to wait 45 minutes, but I had a 4pm appointment, and Doc was very apologetic about his tardiness.

[essnce629]

The kids see a family doctor and we pretty much never wait. I usually pick up a magazine and then they call us in!

When we go see the allergist it can be longer-- I think once was 30 minutes or more!

[Puddy73]

Wow, I'm realizing that our area needs some better office managers. It is the norm around here to wait 15-30 minutes for any Dr. I waited for almost an hour at DD2's last ped derm appt. I do try to get an early appointment to minimize the wait.

[brittone2]

Our last family practice doc was always late. Like 30-45 mins. However, he was fantastic in every other way and never, ever rushed through the exams, etc. The new doc we've been seeing since our move still runs 15-30 mins late, and we usually schedule the first appt of the morning when we can.

I usually try for first appt of the day whenever possible.

My cantankerous grandfather used to send a bill for his time to the doc to make a point (when made to wait for excessive periods of time without explanation or apology).

I am sympathetic to a degree, having worked in healthcare. I understand the domino effect, and how patients sometimes ask their most pressing question just as you are about to exit the room. However, it is frustrating to show up early/on time and then have to wait for 30-60 mins (since most places now usher you back into an exam room where you wait an additional 15+ mins IME). It makes appts take up a huge chunk of time if you add in driving time, wait time, and the actual appt time.

eta: my hair person runs 30-60 mins late as well. The last time I showed up a few mins early, and there was another client ahead of me who hadn't had her cut yet. I am usually her last appt of the day and she's behind by that point. On the bright side, I usually chill in the relaxing waiting room with a book and enjoy my kid-free time ;) I always tell her no biggie since waiting there is semi-enjoyable.

[KHF]

The OB that delivered my son is notorious for being late. He is regularly 30-60 minutes behind. It's because he takes a lot of time with each patient though. If I have to schedule with him, I always get either the first appointment of the day or the first one after lunch. Otherwise, I just go to see the OB that delivered my daughter...I like him equally as well and he's fast! When I call I ask for either Dr. G in the morning or right after lunch or Dr. J. The scheduler always laughs and says, "You've been with us a while...you know the drill." :)

I will leave my general practitioner if the wait is too long. I just recently left a doctor that at my last two appointments I waited 60-90 minutes. I was in terrible pain, so had to wait, but normally I would leave after 30 minutes and reschedule. I moved my records to an office closer to my house now, but haven't needed to go yet. I hate going to the doctor and will do almost anything to avoid it.

Our peds are awesome though, we never have to wait. Half the time we never even sit down before we're called back. One time they had a very difficult case, on a Saturday morning, and we waited about an hour. Other than that though, it's been great.

[hillview]

My pedi is often over an hour. I am looking for a new one.
/hillary

[MoJo]

I'd say an average of 30 minutes regardless of whether it's the ped, my OB, the dentist, or DH's Dr. Longer if I try to go at the end of the day (which I do because DH gets off work early enough sometimes that he can accompany me/watch a child/etc) If I can handle the appt with both kids I go as early as possible or right after lunch.

[dogmom]

Depends on the doctor and where they practice. Also, how much they try to get last minute appointments in, return phone calls, etc. I don't think physicians are usually late because they are taking a long lunch.

If I'm at a teaching hospital, I expect 30-60 min wait. Other places I've had 5 minute waits to 45 minute waits. There are emergencies that come up that might not even be at a clinical office. A stand alone practice varies. How many patients they have as a load, so how much are they expected to do in between appointments, etc. Do they actually attend to other patient stuff during the day, or do they leave it to the end? It's frustrating to have to sit in the waiting room, but it is equally us frustrating to wait for a call back at 5:15 when you called at 8:30 am. Sometimes the having regular, good front desk staff makes all the difference. Of course the one place that was always good, had short waits, nice staff, had the least competent physician I've ever had. For appointments I book ahead of time I do first few in the am or after lunch, less wait.

[lowrioh]

I waited for over two hours at the Neonatologist when I was pregnant with DD1. There was nearly a riot in the waiting room. It turns out that one of the doctors wanted the afternoon off so they asked patients to come in early. I heard the office staff talking about it as I was leaving and I was livid. I have told EVERYONE I know who is pregnant and my regular OBs about my experience and my OBs have actually stopped referring people to the practice. I was going in for my NT test and it was difficult to get the appointment and I was already 12 weeks so I didn't feel like I could just walk away. Needless to say, I didn't go back.
(If anyone want a recommendation of what Neonat to stay away from in MoCo send me a PM).
With my Ped, OB, or PCP I rarely wait longer than 15 min.

[ThreeofUs]

My family doc? 2 hours. She's absolutely fantastic, worth the wait, but it's still annoying.

My endo? Not. One. Minute. He is adamant that he won't wait for patients and patients won't wait for him. Almost scary, but I'm in and out of there on time, which is nice.

Other docs vary.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I wish that you could call before you left for your appointment and get an honest answer if things are running behind schedule. It'd be great to not rush to get somewhere and then wait, kwim?

Beth

[peacemeal41]

I once had a dentist call to let me know they were running 15 minutes behind. I was in shock about having received the call. It was so nice and considerate! I wish every place did that. Unfortunately, I left that practice because my insurance changed and he wasn't in network any more.

[Indianamom2]

I usually only have to wait 10-15 minutes in the waiting room. Now, back in the exam room...that can take longer, it just depends.

[BabbyO]

Apparently I live in an area where this is VERY rare. I've only once waited more than 5 minutes to see my OB. In that instance, I was called on my way to the Dr (approx 1 hr before the appt) and told that he was called in to deliver a baby earlier in the day. I could either reschedule or see him 15-20 min late. Since I have such a long drive from work I opted to see him late. If I hadn't already left for my appt...I wouldn't have been waiting long.

Our GP's seem to have a slightly longer wait at the average 10-15 min.

The pedi is the longest wait (avg 15 min) and I don't think I've ever waited longer than 20-25 min. Again, usually they are letting us know that she is behind that day or something.

(To be fair, I know the reason we wait longer with the pedi is they end up squeezing in sick kids with last minute appts. They've done it for me...so I'm ok with the occasional longer wait. Also, the practice is the only one I know of that has hours on both Sat and Sun AM to accommodate those freak illnesses that come up last minute.)

[mackmama]

Wow I can't believe so many people wait so long for their doctors!! If it's once in a while due to an emergency, I'd understand - otherwise I'd be looking for a new doctor. I ended up waiting close to an hour yesterday. I spoke to the doctor about my concerns, who was really great about it. It sounds like it was an unusual circumstance so I'm staying put as I really like the doctor. I will also try to get the first appt of the day as PP mentioned.

[bekahjean]

We have since switched peds, but we used to wait around TWO FRIKIN' HOURS for Will's well baby appointments. There used to be only two peds in town (we go to the new 3rd ped), so there weren't any options. We had already seen ped #1 and had issues, so, yeah... It was so, so horrible. People would come in, leave their phone numbers when they signed in, and run errands before they saw the doc. They would usually be back from their errands before they were ever called (usually around an hour wait). Once they saw the nurse and were led to a room, it was about a 30 minute to hour wait. It was SO bad, and the building was so filthy. I wouldn't let Will out of the stroller to touch ANYTHING because he would get sick from going to the doctor's office. He would be so upset by the end of the appointment! They didn't even have a well baby room! There were signs posted saying, "Since it's cold and flu season, please be patient while you wait." However, those signs were up YEAR ROUND. When you talked to the office workers, they would say that we could reschedule and come back another time, but why leave when you know you'll have to wait that long another day?

I get spun up just thinking about it. :32::banghead::angry-smiley-005:

The OB group here is a little better, usually about a half hour wait in the waiting room, 15 in the exam room. I can't wait to move somewhere with real hospitals and doctors who give a crap about how their office is run!

[longtallsally05]

On both occasions of my appointments, my OB's practice has kept me waiting an hour past my appt time before I saw the doctor. The crazy thing is, when I went to sign in there was a notice posted that it is unacceptable for patients to show up early or late and that if you're late they'll reschedule you and bill you for your appointment time anyway. I suspect patients at this practice show up late because they know their providers run an hour behind schedule. I don't really care that much since I'm moving soon and I'll be changing health care providers, but I think it's nuts to ask people to be on time if there are so few providers to meet patients' needs that the providers routinely run behind schedule. Everyone's time is valuable. The practice should either hire more providers, or stop accepting new patients. Of course, to do that they would have to stop being greedy...