I went to a new gp in an office that ive been to before and my appointment time was 2 pm. When I get to the office at 1:55 I find it locked with a note on the door that the office is closed from 12-2 for lunch. The receptionist opens the door and after a 30 minute wait, the doctor walks in through the front door and disappears behind the reception area. I wait another 10 minutes to get called back to the office. No apologies for being late. I'm finding a new practice.....

I remember waiting no less than 1.5 hours for every ob app during my last pregnancy. Ridiculous, but I stuck with them because the doctor who did my c/s had a very good reputation and they delivered at the hospital I wanted.
What it comes down to is greed. They're overbooking and trying to make $ out of appointment slots that don't exist.

To the people who walk out after X amount of time, aren't you still billed as a no show?

Anonymous wrote:I don't have time to wait. Sorry, doc.

I call their office before I leave my office to confirm my appointment time. I tell them I'll have a maximum of 20 minutes wait time available.

Some of them need to learn the hard way, just like everyone else. Oh well. They aren't so smart after all.

What has been your experience with this method? I mean, are the receptionists accurate with how long you will be waiting? Do some of them tell you not to bother coming in?

I've never done this before but if a phone call ahead of time makes things works I would probably do it. We had a pediatrician we consistently waited for 1+ hour and finally I left. I wouldn't consider it teaching them a lesson but if I could reschedule my appt it would give them an opportunity to get their schedule back on track.

Dr. office's should implement a fast pass system like Disney.

Anonymous wrote:I work in oncology - it is not uncommon to wait 2-3 hours to see the doc. Stuff comes up all the time - emergencies need to get worked in.

Bring a book, ipad, kindle, knitting.

Former cancer patient here. Oncology is somehow different. My experience with cancer was that I was constantly waiting. I learned to bring a book with me for every appointment.

Anonymous wrote:I don't have time to wait. Sorry, doc.

I call their office before I leave my office to confirm my appointment time. I tell them I'll have a maximum of 20 minutes wait time available.

Some of them need to learn the hard way, just like everyone else. Oh well. They aren't so smart after all.

All the orthopedic surgeons I know certainly aren't hurting because some patients won't wait 20 min.

I work in oncology - it is not uncommon to wait 2-3 hours to see the doc. Stuff comes up all the time - emergencies need to get worked in.

Bring a book, ipad, kindle, knitting.

I don't have time to wait. Sorry, doc.

I call their office before I leave my office to confirm my appointment time. I tell them I'll have a maximum of 20 minutes wait time available.

Some of them need to learn the hard way, just like everyone else. Oh well. They aren't so smart after all.

20 minutes is okay I think. 45 minutes and over and I start to get upset.

If a doctor is 20 minutes late I get annoyed but its pretty typical. 30 minutes and I get pissed. Much more than that, unless there's an unusual situation (which does happen and I try to be understanding when doctors who are usually on time get hit with an emergency) I will stay for the appointment but change doctors after. I've done that several times.

Talk to the doctor about it in a diplomatic and calm way. Evaluate the response and decide if you want to stay with the practice or not. Is the time inconvenience worth the overall quality of care you receive?

Get over it OP. it is not a spa.