making an appointment acceptable waiting time

[B_Type13X2]

As I sit here in a waiting room watching the time tick away I can't help but ask how long do you think is acceptable to be waiting when you make an appointment? My appointment was at 2:20pm I got to it 15 minutes early and have been waiting over 2 hours past the time my appointment was made? Is the new acceptable practice in business to schedule a person for a specific time and then have them wait well past an hour? I thought the whole point behind an appointment was to set a specific time for a service, not to schedule a time to start waiting.

[Okotokian]

Don't ask us. Ask the receptionist what the heck is going on. You have the right ot be angry. And tell her the next time the doctor (I'm assuming. They are the worst) is runing that far behind you would appreciate the courtesy of a phone call.

[Big Daddy Badger]

Originally Posted by B_Type13X2

As I sit here in a waiting room watching the time tick away I can't help but ask how long do you think is acceptable to be waiting when you make an appointment? My appointment was at 2:20pm I got to it 15 minutes early and have been waiting over 2 hours past the time my appointment was made? Is the new acceptable practice in business to schedule a person for a specific time and then have them wait well past an hour? I thought the whole point behind an appointment was to set a specific time for a service, not to schedule a time to start waiting.

How far in advance did you have to book?

2 hours seems excessive but if it took you 6 months to get that appointment...

Thing is medically... sometimes things go sideways...accidents... emergency consultation... overtime in an OR... who knows?

Sometimes it is just that the speciality is that rare.

If you are waiting to see a GP and you aren't dying... I'd walk and let em know why then rebook and staff a complaint that they are intentionally overbooking.

[Stik'em]

I've seen signs in dentist offices if you haven't been seen in 30 min see the front desk. I follow that rule at every appt, so if its an appt then go see the front desk. If you were just a walk in (not you case as per op) you would be SOL.

Stik'em

[B_Type13X2]

Finally got in to see my family doctor, its a Fort McMurray thing that ****es me off anywhere you go in this city for any type of appointment, you end up waiting for an hour. And the really aggravating part? I was there just for my doctor to scribble, "Old Prosthetic legs badly damaged, Bilateral Amputee recommend replacing both prosthetic legs." I could file a complaint about over booking but at literally every doctors office in the city you will have this problem because too many people not enough doctors.

[Gust]

Bill him for your time. Doctors never hesitate to make you geel uncomfortable if they have to wait, and it's usually to the tune of $75.

[CNP]

Jerry: The waiting room. I hate when they make you wait in the room. 'Cause it says "Waiting Room." There's no chance of not waiting. 'Cause they call it the waiting room, they're gonna use it. They've got it. It's all set up for you to wait. And you sit there, you know, and you've got your little magazine. You pretend you're reading it, but you're really looking at the other people. You know, you're thinking about them. Things like, "I wonder what he's got. As soon as she goes, I'm getting her magazine." And then, they finally call you and it's a very exciting moment. They finally call you, and you stand up and you kinda look around at the other people in the room. "Well, I guess I've been chosen. I'll see you all later." You know, so you think you're going to see the doctor, but you're not, are you? No. You're going into the next waiting room the littler waiting room. But if they are, you know, doing some sort of medical thing to you, you want to be in the smallest room that they have, I think. You don't want to be in the largest room that they have. You know what I mean? You ever see these operating theatres that they have, with like, stadium seating? You don't want them doing anything to you that makes other doctors go, "I have to see this! Are you kidding? Are they really gonna do that to him? Are there seats? Can we get in?" Do they scalp tickets to these things? "I got two for the Winslow tumor, I got two"

[omega50]

I absolutely hope that the Doc keeps me waiting.
We have a running agreement that if I am kept waiting more than 15 minutes then she sends me home with some Viagra samples she has in the cabinet!!

Started as a joke once when she apologized for the wait. I said- No worries- I take Viagra in trade

[TrollGRG]

Originally Posted by B_Type13X2

I was there just for my doctor to scribble, "Old Prosthetic legs badly damaged, Bilateral Amputee recommend replacing both prosthetic legs."

I would say sue them but from the sounds of it you don't have a leg to stand on.

Sorry - I couldn't resist mea culpa mea culpa


I think that maybe you should talk to them (both the receptionist and the Doc) see if it is a regular thing or just a one time incident. If it is happening all the time you should complain - maybe to the Liberal leader - he seems to be heading up the inquiry into those problems.

[OneGirlWolfPack]

Since when has a two hour wait been normal? It isn't and I don't know any family doctors who do that to their patients. If they are called away to an emergency the nurse or receptionist will let you know. That may be normal for an Emergency room but not a clinic. Even specialist clinics in busy cities dont have waits that long. Did you ask the receptionist or doctor about it? What was the reason given? What do you mean by 'Its a fort mcmurray thing'? The doctor shortage is that severe in the area?

[toomanyhobbies]

Been to a big city emergency room lately? You'll be lucky to get seen in two hours. Thank the PC government.

[OneGirlWolfPack]

That's an Emergency room though. He's talking about regular GP clinics.

[Cement Bench]

he said nothing about a GP he is waiting for an oil change at a quick lube place, ggggggggeeeeeeeeessssssshhhhh


cement bench

[OneGirlWolfPack]

Originally Posted by Cement Bench

he said nothing about a GP he is waiting for an oil change at a quick lube place, ggggggggeeeeeeeeessssssshhhhh


cement bench

Post number 5.

[B_Type13X2]

Originally Posted by OneGirlWolfPack

Since when has a two hour wait been normal? It isn't and I don't know any family doctors who do that to their patients. If they are called away to an emergency the nurse or receptionist will let you know. That may be normal for an Emergency room but not a clinic. Even specialist clinics in busy cities dont have waits that long. Did you ask the receptionist or doctor about it? What was the reason given? What do you mean by 'Its a fort mcmurray thing'? The doctor shortage is that severe in the area?

Its crippling in this area I actually suggest that people not come here at all. We have an official population of close to 100,000 but thanks to all the people in work camps our population that use our infrastructure is over 130,000 and we have a shortage at 100,000. They gave me no reason other then a busy clinic and it is a daily thing last time I was there when I made the appointment I was told they are very busy and am lucky to even be taken as a patient as they aren't supposed to take more patients. And the reason why I changed doctors to begin with is because both of my former doctors moved to different cities within 3 months of each other and the new doctor at the last clinic wouldn't see me at all.

When I think of all the times I have allowed student doctors to touch me, and see me so they could learn about my unique medical condition. The journal entries pertaining to my case, the prototype testing I do, and then this is how I get treated by my GP? I don't think I'll be doing anymore favors that way. As for my specialist in Calgary I never wait to see him. The moment I'm in his office he's taking me to the back to start work immediately. Always polite and funny, If I am going to be waiting for an extended fitting he puts a movie on for me or hands me the remote for cable so I have something to do while I wait.

As for emergency room in Fort McMurray I broke my pinky finger I waited for over 8 hours one day for them to reset the bone gave up waiting as it was no longer hurting and I managed to squeeze the swelling down with tension bandages and Ice. I walked out, wasted my time as a result My pinky has a weird bend in it to this day.

And everything else in this city is either wait an hour in line, or more then an hour in a waiting room, or its out of stock or its at 150% markup over Edmonton prices. Houses 700,000 minimum enjoy having a troll live in your basement.

To anyone thinking you'll come up here make a fortune and leave, harsh reality, a trailer is 550,000$'s, and basic groceries are so hyper inflated that it costs me over 500$'s a month to feed just me and I only eat once a day not counting my cereal in the morning. Why you'd want to come here I have no idea, no one gets ahead here they just dig a deeper hole.

[Pincherguy]

Pesky pretty well nailed it for the doctors office. Things happen but they should inform you if a delay happens that has not been anticipated. After one hour I go to the receptionest and ask what the delay is. They should have an answer for you, if not well thats up to you what you do. Any other business excessive waiting is not acceptable.

[OneGirlWolfPack]

Wow Bren that's terrible! It's scary how bad the doctor shortage is. Just finding a GP who is taking new patients is a challenge.

[B_Type13X2]

Originally Posted by Pincherguy

Pesky pretty well nailed it for the doctors office. Things happen but they should inform you if a delay happens that has not been anticipated. After one hour I go to the receptionest and ask what the delay is. They should have an answer for you, if not well thats up to you what you do. Any other business excessive waiting is not acceptable.

The lady next to me had been waiting for over 2 and a half hours, she got up and asked them their answer was, "Your next, were sorry." that's about when I made the post, I think it is never acceptable for anyone to wait that long for any service. If you make an appointment, that is when you should be seen to within reason. I left work 3 hours early to be there on-time. This isn't an emergency clinic, it doesn't have triage for if someone has just been stabbed, all of those cases go to the one and only hospital in the city downtown. This is just the average wait time in Fort McMurray. When I think of the BILLIONS this city has helped generate in provincial revenue every year it makes me sick that we still only have 1 hospital.

And its even more disgusting that when you go to a store you will see tons of out of stock tags for everything even with it hyper inflated. Wanna buy a case of power-aid or gatorade in the summer for re-hydration because your job keeps you out in the sun all day? better be at the store when the truck is unloaded or not a chance.

[B_Type13X2]

Originally Posted by OneGirlWolfPack

Wow Bren that's terrible! It's scary how bad the doctor shortage is. Just finding a GP who is taking new patients is a challenge.

No ones taking new patients either that's truly scary, alot of my friends don't even have a GP and haven't for years because of the shortage. A new doctor comes to Fort McMurray within a few days they have all the patients they can handle and more.

[Dacotensis]

Originally Posted by B_Type13X2

When I think of all the times I have allowed student doctors to touch me, and see me so they could learn about my unique medical condition. The journal entries pertaining to my case, the prototype testing I do, and then this is how I get treated by my GP? I don't think I'll be doing anymore favors that way. As for my specialist in Calgary I never wait to see him. The moment I'm in his office he's taking me to the back to start work immediately. Always polite and funny, If I am going to be waiting for an extended fitting he puts a movie on for me or hands me the remote for cable so I have something to do while I wait.

As for emergency room in Fort McMurray I broke my pinky finger I waited for over 8 hours one day for them to reset the bone gave up waiting as it was no longer hurting and I managed to squeeze the swelling down with tension bandages and Ice. I walked out, wasted my time as a result My pinky has a weird bend in it to this day.

.

Ok fella, first of, your "condition" is not a condition. It's an amputation. Live with it, or not. I know a few who could not hack it and drove their skidoo up a tree.
The journal entries on your "case" where predated by guys like me who's legs got cut off in that very city 38 years ago.
You see where I'm speaking from?
You have a different life to deal with than most of the population. It is mildly unique, but I'm here to tell you there is a large brotherhood of amps all over the world. Some are on this Ao forum.
If you are ready to have the good looking RN's, Dr's, physios stop touching you, too bad for you but great for me I guess.
Got a psychologist who wants to peer inside my grey matter? Bring it on.
Where do I get in line? It's been a long time.
Maybe it's time for a road trip to the homeland!

[Samhael]

Every clinic is different, however at one of the clinics their procedure is to pull your file when you check in, not before, not on teh time slot you had booked, but when you show up.

If someone shows up 30 minutes early, they get slotted in sooner. So I call in an hour prior to my appt and show up 5 minutes early, that way the receptionist has pulled my file and placed it in line an hour earlier.

Find out how they handle their appointments and see what works.

[FishingMOM]

The problem is the old boys club.
Canada doesn't want to allow outsiders in to practice medicine.
They do all they can to recruit people to fill the jobs....... get them here and then slam the door shut with as many restrictions they can possibly come up with.

In 2010, there were 203 physicians per 100,000 Canadians versus 151 in 1980. Of the 69,699 active physicians in Canada in 2010, 35,366 were family medicine physicians and 34,333 were specialist physicians.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/...da-report.html

Until the time comes that this changes, wait times will continue to be long.

[B_Type13X2]

Originally Posted by Dacotensis

Ok fella, first of, your "condition" is not a condition. It's an amputation. Live with it, or not. I know a few who could not hack it and drove their skidoo up a tree.
The journal entries on your "case" where predated by guys like me who's legs got cut off in that very city 38 years ago.
You see where I'm speaking from?
You have a different life to deal with than most of the population. It is mildly unique, but I'm here to tell you there is a large brotherhood of amps all over the world. Some are on this Ao forum.
If you are ready to have the good looking RN's, Dr's, physios stop touching you, too bad for you but great for me I guess.
Got a psychologist who wants to peer inside my grey matter? Bring it on.
Where do I get in line? It's been a long time.
Maybe it's time for a road trip to the homeland!

1. I never asked for sympathy and never stated my amputation was what was unique about me so don't assume. The fact that there have been submissions to medical journals specifically regarding other facets about me states that I am unique and interesting. Your immediate and unfounded hostility tells me your having a harder time coping then I am. I have been an amputee my whole life my complaint isn't founded on not wanting to assist with student doctors but with the quality of treatment specifically that anyone and everyone has to wait that long to see a gp period.

2. There are plenty of support groups filled with amputees and psychologists if you need one. I went to all of 1 meeting and found it stupid filled with whiners crying about their life and how it sucks now instead of living it. Maybe such a group would be helpful to you but I prefer to live my life as well as I can. Maybe that's why I'm happy and not posting on a forum with an axce to grind when someone posts a legitimate question/ complaint.

[Dacotensis]

No problem fella.
You should have left it at post one. That is the issue at hand.That you wanted to bring forth right?
No axe to grind here. believe me. Ask around to those that know me.
The rest of your descriptive posts had nothing to do with the issue.
With holding your body from medical professionalls as payback? lol
Yep me too. I want to be paid dangit.
I still want a nurse or a physio to check me out.Monthly, maybe weekly.
Ah, who am I kidding, I date a nurse It's daily
And as for visiting a Dr. for a note for new prosthetics? There are other avenues. Other pros who will approve these things.
Waiting for 2hrs isn't cool. I would have re booked.
In fact when I have to take my kids to the eye Dr. I always book first thing in the Am as I know by afternoon he's backed up. Ad 10 minutes extra for each patient throughout the day.
So Ft. Mc bites hey? It's everywhere in the province and has been going on for a good 20 years +

[Mekanik]

Funny, came up here at the end of the last boom, went to the hospital and requested a list of doctors accepting patients. I had my choice of about four new doctors accepting. I work downtown, found one on the list downtown and set up an appointment. Boom. Done. They still have that list. You just need to ask and look.

Now, my concerns with the doctor I chose is that he is also an on-site doctor for one of the sites. He's out there two weeks and back two weeks. The last two visits I've needed him for, I didn't see him; I saw the other doctor in the office and trust me, I wasn't missing him at all. My wife didn't understand why I was happy to go to the doctor's office.

It was a 45 minute wait for me one time there though. It was 45 because at 35, I went and pointed out I was early, I have to get back to work, and that I'd been waiting longer then the person who just walked in who just got ahead of me. The nurse asked the receptionist and they had a little talk and wow ... I got in right away. Kinda the same way it worked at my last GP in NB and he was my doctor for almost 30 years so no complaints, really.

Sorry if that comes across as harsh, just your experience and mine don't necessarily mesh. I wouldn't wait past 35 for an appointment if I was there early.

[Mutter87]

Originally Posted by FishingMOM

The problem is the old boys club.
Canada doesn't want to allow outsiders in to practice medicine.
They do all they can to recruit people to fill the jobs....... get them here and then slam the door shut with as many restrictions they can possibly come up with.



Until the time comes that this changes, wait times will continue to be long.

Just because these people are medical practitioners in Bolivia or Sri lanka, does not qualify them to be Doctors here. They can take the required exam like everyone else and get through that way.

[mulie4x4]

My average wait time to see my doctor is 20 minutes,if it goes to 30 I see the receptionist and ask how long the wait is and what happening, usually the doctor had an emergency to deal with from a patient in the hospital and the it puts everyone behind. I also make my appointments for the morning before the day gets away.

[CanuckShooter]

Originally Posted by Mutter87

Just because these people are medical practitioners in Bolivia or Sri lanka, does not qualify them to be Doctors here. They can take the required exam like everyone else and get through that way.

It's not always that simple. One of my hunting partners married a USA born/raised trained MD. When she moved up here to practice she had to jump through a bunch of hoops...including that she had a good understanding and proficiency in the english language [come on for lands sakes]. She was literally prohibited from practicing for almost two years while she went through all this red tape....and we wonder why they have trouble getting doctors online.