I want my four hours back

[DebbieJ]

DS1 had orthopaedic surgery in September. He had his cast off in October and today was his 6 week follow up. We have been seeing a FANTASTIC pediatric ortho at a nearby teaching hospital. It is in the city, so each time we go it is quite a production--fighting traffic, parking, getting an x-ray first, etc.

Today was his 6 week check up (not to mention his 7th birthday is today!) We've been going to physical therapy 3x/week for the past six weeks. DS has also been restricted from PE and recess at school since Sept 20th, so he and the school nurse have become buddies. He has to sit in her office during those times. We have been working hard at home and he has made great progress. We wanted to talk to the doc about discontinuing the PT.

We fought the morning traffic, found a spot in the parking garage, schlepped everyone in (had DS2 with us as well), got our x-ray in radiology, only to find out that HIS DOCTOR WAS NOT IN TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! We saw a resident (which is normal), who was being supervised by a different attending. That attending was unwilling to make any decisions regarding DS's case. In fact, he never even came into the room to talk to us.

We were really hoping to be released from PT and allow DS to go back to normal activities. Instead we have to continue PT and go back to the doctor AGAIN in three weeks. Ugh!!!! So I got up at the crack of dawn, DS missed the morning of school, and DH took a day off work for NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm going to need this:

[ha98ed14]

I hate crap like that. The office staff always acts like the doctor's time is more valuable that yours. DD needed surgery for a congenital defect at 9 mos old. There were a team of 3 surgeons. The lead surgeon did not show up. He decided to take a last minute vacation to San Francisco, and wasn't answering his phone. His office had not been able to reach him, but no one called the OR to tell them not to prep my baby for surgery. So they prep'd her. For nothing. Here, 9 mo. old, have a little general anesthesia for no. damn. good. reason. other than raging egomaniac surgeon could not be bothered to show the F up. So yeah, they always think their time is more valuable than yours.

[maiaann]

Originally Posted by ha98ed14

I hate crap like that. The office staff always acts like the doctor's time is more valuable that yours.

Boo on them!

[brittone2]

My grandfather was a total pill. My dad still talks about a few times my grandather was left waiting at the doctor's office for an excessive period of time, etc. and actually drew up a bill for *his* time and sent it to the doc Fortunately he was old enough and enough of a character for his docs to not get massively offended!

He passed away a decade ago at the age of 87, but I still admire some of his spunk!

I totally get that emergencies come up, etc. but the frustrating part is when they don't cancel with you or let you know they are running very, very behind...yet if you don't give 24 or 48 hours notice for your own cancellation they reserve the right to bill you.

I was ticked a few weeks ago because I showed up for a hair appt and waited 45 mins before someone let me know my stylist wasn't in that day (I had checked in w/ reception, etc. and no one ever said a word about it!). They had tried to cancel with me (I missed the message on my cell, totally my fault!). I wasn't annoyed that I showed up...I missed the message. But 45 mins of waiting and multiple stylists walking by asking me who I was there for, etc. before someone realized that my stylist wasn't even in?? Plus 15 mins of travel each way. That was annoying! But yeah, your situation is way, way, way worse.

Hoping for a quick discharge very soon for your little one!

[elephantmeg]

call the office manager at once. This is their fault and he/she needs to know about it. Trust me! I would ask for your co-pay to be waved at the next appointment

[bubbaray]

Yeah, I've had this happen and I called the office manager and asked if this was the norm for the specialist to not see patients booked with him. I had already asked around and was told that this was not the norm. As it turned out, the specialist did have an emergency surgery come up -- I get that that happens. But, *my* time is important and I would have rather had a last-minute cancellation call, KWIM?

[elektra]

Oooh that sucks!

[DebbieJ]

I don't think it was the doctor being arrogant here. Since it's a teaching hospital, I sense an attitude of "any doctor will do." I called and rescheduled our Dec 28th appt to next week and also fired off an email to the clinic director. He and I know each other from college, so he will take my concerns seriously and make sure it is made right.

[ShanaMama]

Originally Posted by bubbaray

As it turned out, the specialist did have an emergency surgery come up -- I get that that happens. But, *my* time is important and I would have rather had a last-minute cancellation call, KWIM?

Um, yeah. Wouldn't anyone rather get cancelled at the last minute than shlep all the way out to find a no-show doctor? Couldn't they have let you know OP? It almost sounds like they wanted to keep the appt so as not to lose the revenue. Sure, just come for xrays & a non-appt. No biggie.

[DebbieJ]

Wahoo! I emailed the clinic director. He is not charging us for yesterday's visit and will comp our parking charges for next week. Although we can't have our time back, at least we won't have to pay for the visit or the parking.