What is your threshold for wait time in a Dr’s office before you leave?

Anonymous
Currently been sitting here for 30 minutes. At an office that charges you a late fee of $50 if you come 15 minutes or later for your appointment (and makes you reschedule). I got here 15 minutes early so actually been here for 45 minutes. But obviously i’m only counting the time after my appointment time. This is the most infuriating thing to me.
Anonymous
At the 30 min mark I go back up to the front desk. This happened at my annual a month ago - same wait as you, and turned out they forgot to check me in. Was FUMING.
Anonymous
I actually am very vocal before leaving and start at the 10min mark asking what the delay is. I want others in the waiting room to feel confident making the same complaint. “My time is valuable. Our appt was at X time and you expect me here. I expect the doctor here as well or you need to call me and tell me she is running late.”



Anonymous
After 15 min I go up to the front desk. I'm not obnoxious about it, rude, or self righteous.
Anonymous
Depends on who it is. For a specialist, I might check in at the desk after 20 minutes and ask what I should expect, but I'm not leaving. Because I'm the one worse off if I don't get seen and another appointment isn't materializing soon. That's just how it is around here.

My oncologist is extremely popular and if I'm seen within 30 minutes of the original appointment time I consider that a win. I basically block off half a day and just bring something to do in the waiting room. It used to annoy me until I was the patient with an emergency situation being slotted in on top of other people's appointments, so now I get it.
Anonymous
I ask at 20 mins. If I’m in room 20 mins I’ll ask then too. Things happen. I am not the center of the world. I’d rather be seen than self righteous/or right. Give the feedback but don’t be an ass about it.
Anonymous
30 min unless special circumstances
Anonymous
Unfortunately, the doctors who are behind tend to be the best because they’re taking time to listen to their patients at their own expense. I learned this from my experience as a medically complex kid and adult. As a busy person, it’s super annoying, but I’ve come to make peace with it.
Anonymous
I was kept waiting for 45 minutes in the exam room in a gown a few weeks ago and was ready to get dressed and walk out when the doctor arrived. Before that, I considered walking out of the room to check if I was forgotten but didn’t want to to do that in a gown. It’s a lot easier to complain when you’re in a waiting room.
Anonymous
Depends on how bad I need to see that doctor. Generally I don't have that issue, if it was a regular occurrence I'd find another doctor.
Anonymous
My specialist books appts in 30 min blocks but I've still been kept waiting and I don't mind. He's thorough and if a patient has a lot of questions, he answers then instead of rushing. I've also had an appt interrupted for an emergency phone call he had to take so I know that can put him behind.
Anonymous
Do you have to post this every week to meet a quota or something?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Do you have to post this every week to meet a quota or something?


I'm shocked the poster who claims she bills her doctors when they are late hasn't shown up yet.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, the doctors who are behind tend to be the best because they’re taking time to listen to their patients at their own expense. I learned this from my experience as a medically complex kid and adult. As a busy person, it’s super annoying, but I’ve come to make peace with it.


This is usually what happens with the many doctors I deal with for my parents and myself. The majority are incredibly giving of their time and energy and when they end up being late sometimes, I try to remember how much they’ve done for us.
Anonymous
I was sitting in the room next to a patient at my OBs office and listened to her go on and on and on..making my OB late. She clearly didn’t want to cut her patient off. When she arrived 20 min later she apologized. I was annoyed but realized there wasn’t much she could do. But that was one time. A doc who is super late every time I would leave.
post reply Forum Index » Health and Medicine
Message Quick Reply
Go to: