Dr.'s = hours of waiting

[Seyca16]

I started seeing my rheumy about 4 years ago, he was recomended by my family doctor. I go to him about once a month, or more depending on how I'm feeling (though I have gone without seeing him for almost a year...but thats a different topic haha). Anyway I find that I wait for hours in the waiting room, literally at least two hours. And than only to go into the office and talk with him for not even a half hour. It takes away from my WHOLE day, I usually have to take the day off from work (or if I'm in school, not go to my classes), because on top of all that wait time, it takes 30mins to drive there and then drive home.

I like my dr a lot, he's been really helpful but I'm just not sure if I should find a new one or stick with him

Does anyone else have to wait that long?? or experience anything like this? Maybe it just comes with having lupus?

~Casey

[raggedyann1]

Casey,

I have had a similar problem with other doctors in the past. Right now most of my team of docs hardly have a waiting time.

What I learned to do was to take the first appt of the day or the first appt after lunch. That assured me the least amount of waiting. When I couldn't get either of those times I would call 1/2 ahead of my appt and ask how late the doctor was running, if he was running an hour behind I would be at least 45 mintues late for my appt. That part required cooperation from the nursing/appt desk staff not to put me at the end of the line when I arrived.

Karen

[flowergarden]

I think there's a lot of wisdom in Karen's answer, especially the last sentence. I've noticed that the docs. are very good at marking down the time the patient arrives, even if the doc is rarely on time. One doc I saw charged the patient $25 extra if they were more than 10 min. late. Yet he could be 45 min late getting back from lunch--Grrrr.

I usually do like Karen does. I also try to avoid Monday mornings and Friday afternoons.

Perhaps you could talk to your rheumy and tell him how his timing affects you. His office needs to change the way they run, it sounds like.

Good luck! :luck:

[cornishgirl]

Hi there, I'm afraid to say similar experiences here and I've seen rheumatoligists in 3 different counties lol. They all seem to work the same way. I agree with Casey though, try to get first appointment of the day and if you can't get it, call in and ask if the clinic is running behind (which it usually is), then you can arrive at a time nearer to when you'l be seen. I do agree that complaints about the clinics are valid, but then is it always down to the doctor, or is it more the system to blame? Here in the UK I'd love to see a rheumy who hasn't just had to do a night shift on call and ward rounds all morning. Good luck with future visits hun. Lucy

[Anisah]

Hi Casey, :wave:

You've been given some great advice.

I know how frustrating waiting around can be too but I don't think you should change doctors for that reason, just my opinion. Its not easy to find a doctor you can relate to and is supportive, so if you have that I personally wouldn't advise looking elsewhere. A good doctor is hard to find and hopefully you can find a way to make the waiting worth it. :love:

take care,
Anisah
:flowers:

[MariaK]

Hi Casey,
I think if we look at things a bit differently when it comes to appointments we can make the wait less unbearable. I always think that the people before me are like myself, and probably need a bit more time than the set time consultants have to stick to, according to governing 'target times'. I think you have to give yourself the day for an appointment, because there is usually more than one person before you who needs to be admitted, have extra counselling or further investigations ordered; and this is bound to delay your appointment. Imagine the disservice we would get if we had to stick to a time limit? :erm:
I don't wish to sound "off" but this type of thinking helps me!
Regards,
Maria.

[rwb200]

most of the time our Rheumy does very good at getting people in at there scheduled times.
We have had a couple of times we needed an apointment fast and was always able to get in that day to see him.
I know he must do this for other patients as well so we always forgive some delay if we have it.
We have found that his delays are more common in the afternoon then in the morning.
By afternoon anything can happen, patients can need emergency help, he can have Hospital Emergencys, I know he runs Hospital rounds at three time a day. Early Morning, Lunch and afternoon. Many other Doctors in the area only run at lunch time so it is his only chance to consult with other doctors who are treating his patients.

many Medical reps. visit in the afternoon and after setting in an office for a half hour and seeing three or four I start to see how they are effecting his schedule as well.

[drea]

Seyca16,
I find that i always have to wait at least 2 hours for my doctor and i think this is a normal expierence for the best doctors(or the popular ones)

If you really like this Dr and think he or she knows alot about lupus i would stay with, but it also never hurts to ask around as i have found that there aren't many where i live, but you may be lucky and have other great choices.

I only get 10 or 15 at the most with my docotr,"never half an hour"
I also have an oncologist and have to wait 2 or 3 hours for him and he never gives me more than 10 mins as he is very popular.
when i go to MDAnderson in texas for luekemia i have the same time waits.
I know this is a drag but i tyr to use the time to read(when i can as lupus makes it difficult for me) or meditate, just relaxing is good

take care
Drea

[flowergarden]

Drea, I'm really surprised at how long you have to wait for both docs. Even my "big city" rheumy has me sitting in the waiting room for only 10-15 min. and in the exam room for 5. When two of my children were seeing specialists in the city, too, the waits were that long only once--and that's because the chart was misplaced. Even at the University of Washington they weren't that long.

If it were me, I'd have a talk with my doc about my time (and hence money) being wasted. :luck:

[drea]

Sue,
I think the same about waiting and have softly complained, but from what they tell me this is how it is for everyone ,as there aren't enough doctors in this area(santa fe)
.I am looking for another lupus dr in santa fe,still haven't heard of one although the albq drs sound wonderfull, it is too far for me as i can't drive with lupus seziures.

thanks for your response, as i feel very isolated and all responses are welcome
warmly
Drea