carolyn_vdv

I recently booked an early morning appointment to see the doctor. I arrived 5 mins early, registered and took a seat in the reception. 5 mins later I was called and shown to an examination room...where I waited for 45 mins.

I don't recall a doctor ever being on time (not even when I am the first appointment), so I was pleasantly surprised that I was called to the examination room on time. The reception room was warm, had magazines and a TV showing the morning news. The examination room on the other hand was barren, cold and small. I know where I would have preferred to spend the 45mins waiting.

I am wondering if this is a way doctor's (or the practices they work for) game the system to manipulate their waiting times?

mikelincs

They certainly do in the UK, A&E waiting times are massaged by any new patient being seen by a triage nurse, so the time scale for being seen is kept very short, never mind that you might have to wait 4 hours to be seen by a doctor..

Zoe Bell

the clinic I use , has two exam rooms on the go.
The doctor switches between the two , so that you don't waste time transitioning patients.

As one room empties he moves to the next and then the receptionist calls the next person in to fill the spare room and so on. It kind of makes sense from a time point of view

The wait time then depends on how long the person in front of you takes, but yes I take your point about where you'd rather wait. They get upset if you get bored and start playing with the equipment!

chanceUK

i think this is common though I prefer not to be sat next to all the sick people

Hawk13

Recently took my daughter to see a "specialist" for a pre-op and it went like this.

Her appointment was for 1pm. We showed up 10 minutes early to find that the office is actually closed (door locked) from 12 'til 1 for lunch. No problem, we'll wait in the car.

Checked the door at 1pm, still locked. Door unlocked at 1:10. Door opens and we sit out front of the receptionist. Room is obviously empty as the door was locked and we waited. Three other people showed up and sat.

1:30 before my daughter was now told to follow to the "waiting room" and everyone else is still sitting with me.

According to my daughter, the doc talked to her for maybe 5 minutes explaining the procedure and that was it.

Left the office at 1:45. Now there are 5 people sitting in front of the receptionist.

Seriously makes you wonder. Maybe they should take a time management course but since there seems to be a shortage of "specialists" what do they care.

Atlantic Xpat

We have a truly excellent GP. She takes time with her patients. A consequence of that is that one can turn up at the designated time for an appointment & wait an hour to see her. For various reasons we are frequent visitors to the surgery and have a relationship built up with the receptionists. We now phone up to find out where we are in the line up before heading down there.

Souvy

Apart from the frequency bit, I'd kill to be in your position, as would very many other people in this province.

Atlantic Xpat

We're certainly aware of our good fortune in having any GP, let alone one we consider to be outstanding. We have, by and large, had excellent care from the health services here. I wish we didn't have to use them quite so much but thats another story. Or stories.

jericho

Strange. Also happened to us recently.

Reidies

This happens at my doctors most of the time, so now I just bring my Kobo and read whilst stuck in the consult room. He's always pleasant and apologetic so I just put up with it now.






QUOTE=carolyn_vdv;10382433]I recently booked an early morning appointment to see the doctor. I arrived 5 mins early, registered and took a seat in the reception. 5 mins later I was called and shown to an examination room...where I waited for 45 mins.

I don't recall a doctor ever being on time (not even when I am the first appointment), so I was pleasantly surprised that I was called to the examination room on time. The reception room was warm, had magazines and a TV showing the morning news. The examination room on the other hand was barren, cold and small. I know where I would have preferred to spend the 45mins waiting.

I am wondering if this is a way doctor's (or the practices they work for) game the system to manipulate their waiting times?[/QUOTE]