Doctors Appointments

[Kashmir Wolf]

I pulled a groin playing basketball and after months of hoping it would get better on its own I decided to see a doctor. I really can't stand going because I knew how it is going to go.

I was told to be at the office by 7:40 to fill out paperwork for my 8:10 appointment. I arrived at 7:30am. Receptionist didn't get to the office until 7:55. After several personal calls she hands me the paperwork which is a bunch of the same questions on 17 forms. I complete them in minutes and wait again. At 8:20 I am ushered into the back room to wait some more. It is currently 8:45 and still no doctor. All this for the privilege to pay him a couple hundred for 10 minutes of his time.

 

[funKYcat75]

You should have gone to medical school then.

 

[55wildcat]

You should have gone to medical school then.

Or a "walgreens doctor"...in and out pretty quick there and very personable.

 

[GLR5555]

Who's groin?

 

[RacerX.ksr]

Odds are 50-50 that your doctor finished in the lower half of his class.

 

[funKYcat75]

Making patients wait a long time. "This is why we did this!"

 

[UnfrozenCatfanLawyer]

I am of the firm belief that the lack of common courtesy from way too many doctors is a cause of malpractice suits. If a doctor treats you like an actual human being, you're less likely to sue them when they screw up, imo. It's amazing to me how many docs I've dealt with have defective personalities and what seems like a total lack of empathy.

 

[drxman1]

I am of the firm belief that the lack of common courtesy from way too many doctors is a cause of malpractice suits. If a doctor treats you like an actual human being, you're less likely to sue them when they screw up, imo. It's amazing to me how many docs I've dealt with have defective personalities and what seems like a total lack of empathy.

I would agree with most of this statement. Sometimes you can have a negative outcome, that was not from a "screw up," but a known risk and adverse event. Regardless, your opinion of your doctor and relationship can have a large influence on whether or not the patient decides to pursue malpractice.

 

[UKGrad93]

I pulled a groin playing basketball and after months of hoping it would get better on its own I decided to see a doctor. I really can't stand going because I knew how it is going to go.

I was told to be at the office by 7:40 to fill out paperwork for my 8:10 appointment. I arrived at 7:30am. Receptionist didn't get to the office until 7:55. After several personal calls she hands me the paperwork which is a bunch of the same questions on 17 forms. I complete them in minutes and wait again. At 8:20 I am ushered into the back room to wait some more. It is currently 8:45 and still no doctor. All this for the privilege to pay him a couple hundred for 10 minutes of his time.

You knew how it was going to go, so why not just plan accordingly? You aren't the anointed one in this equation.

 

[Ron Mehico]

It's amazing to me how many docs I've dealt with have defective personalities and what seems like a total lack of empathy.

It is? Why? Think back to HS or college and remember the kids that went on to be Doctors. Yes, that's right, mainly dorks who were really book smart and didn't have the greatest personalities. That's like saying you're surprised all the IT guys you know have dry personalities and don't interact well with people. Just comes with the territory. Usually social butterflies don't work in those types of fields.

 

[TexasTimCat]

I am not taking a position of defending doctors practices, particularly on how they manage daily schedules.

However, two of the primary drivers of this behavior is the high cost of malpractice insurance and the heavy load of student loan debt most doctors carry.

These two items create an environment where most doctors, particularly specialists, must see as many patients as possible in order to create maximum cash flow.

I would still take our medical system over pretty much any other I have investigated.

 

[mashburned]

I think that's why doc boat seems like a great doc. He's obviously saved lives, but it's his easy-going "hey wanna get drunk and play with my gun in my Porsche" attitude that sets him apart from the lesser doctors.

 

[drxman1]

I have never advocated drinking and driving Porsches.

 

[JB875]

I am of the firm belief that the lack of common courtesy from way too many doctors is a cause of malpractice suits. If a doctor treats you like an actual human being, you're less likely to sue them when they screw up, imo. It's amazing to me how many docs I've dealt with have defective personalities and what seems like a total lack of empathy.

Heck they taught us that in med school. "Nice doctors don't get sued." Now the biggest jerks of all usually are very good at what they do, otherwise they would have been out of a job years ago, so just because they get sued doesn't mean they lose the suits against them.

Usually I tell people that if they want their doctor/surgery to be on time, schedule for the first slot of the day (although OP's situation just sounds like laziness). No one can take up the doctor's time before you and make you late. It's rarely the case that the doc is back twiddling his thumbs waiting for the heck of it. Usually it's an anxious and upset patient before you who had to wait ten minutes and now thinks it's ok spend an extra 45 minutes asking questions about 10 different issues that are unrelated to the one issue they made the short appointment to handle. Hard to cut them off (because then you're a rude jerk who doesn't listen) but if you don't, you're the incompetent a-hole who made the subsequent patients wait that much longer.

 

[Kashmir Wolf]

I am not taking a position of defending doctors practices, particularly on how they manage daily schedules.

However, two of the primary drivers of this behavior is the high cost of malpractice insurance and the heavy load of student loan debt most doctors carry.

These two items create an environment where most doctors, particularly specialists, must see as many patients as possible in order to create maximum cash flow.

I would still take our medical system over pretty much any other I have investigated.

I think this poster is on to something.

I am thankful for the doctors and their purpose. However I hate going because it is always the same hurry up and wait. Obviously I had a lot of idle time so I took to the paddock to rant. Once I got to see the doctor his part went quick. Now I am back to waiting on his staff. That's a whole other discussion of lack of consideration.

 

[LordEgg_rivals16573]

i had to take my daughter to a dermatologist as the wife was out of town...anyway, get there and have to fill out about 10 pieces of paper. being the terrible parent i am, i didn't know her social security number - which it asked for 15 effing times. anyway, filled out all the insurance info, medical history back to the middle ages of every known relative, school info, etc. I walk up to turn paper in to receptionist and tell her i simply don't know the social security number and she informs me they don't need it anyway.

why in the hell ask for it? you just want another liability point in your record keeping? makes no sense.

 

[Ron Mehico]

Also, FWIW, the doctor is not scheduling anything. The person scheduling things up front has a job description for any company or office that's hiring her - make sure the schedule is full or youre fired - which results in someone that has no clue how long the appointment takes scheduling the appointments and filling up an vacant spots. So on his/her scheduling "cheat sheet" it says "Consult - schedule 30 mins" and that's what they do. But as you all know every patient is different and some patients are a little more complicated and need more time/ask a lot of questions. Once the one patient gets you behind - you're behind the whole day. Just how it is.

 

[P.PattersonISwalkingthruthatdoor]

I am of the firm belief that the lack of common courtesy from way too many doctors is a cause of malpractice suits. If a doctor treats you like an actual human being, you're less likely to sue them when they screw up, imo. It's amazing to me how many docs I've dealt with have defective personalities and what seems like a total lack of empathy.

You're 100% correct. I was at a workshop with Univ Michigan Health's chief risk management attorney (or whatever you call that type of lawyer) and he said the single best predictor of facing a malpractice suit is narcissism.

 

[P.PattersonISwalkingthruthatdoor]

being a good, compassionate, empathetic, caring, personable health care provider will not only keep customers and create a happy working environment but it'll also increase the chances of having homemade sugary goodies baked by patients in your life.

And lots of bottles of wine at Christmas!

 

[Chuckinden]

I am not taking a position of defending doctors practices, particularly on how they manage daily schedules.

However, two of the primary drivers of this behavior is the high cost of malpractice insurance and the heavy load of student loan debt most doctors carry.

These two items create an environment where most doctors, particularly specialists, must see as many patients as possible in order to create maximum cash flow.

I would still take our medical system over pretty much any other I have investigated.

My office needs cash flow too, but if I ran my office like health providers do, I would be out of business in short time.

I had surgery a few weeks ago and was told to be at the hospital at 5am. I get there at 4:45 and was still sitting in the waiting room until 6:30am. Finally, I was called back to go over pre op procedures with a lady in her office, then told to go back to waiting room. I was finally was called back for surgery prep at 7:15. I go back and they take my vitals and the nurse says, "sir, your blood pressure is high". I replied, "well I was told to be here at 5am and just now getting back for prep, how would your blood pressure be if they told you to be at work two hours before you start getting paid?" She said she understood, but we do that in case we have a cancellation and the doctor doesn't waste his time waiting for the next patient to get here. I said, I guess if that happened he wouldn't be a happy camper would he and his blood pressure would elevate. What about my time wasted sitting out there at 5am. She said you have a point, but that's just the way it is. I said, and that's why people hate coming to the doctor and usually don't until they absolutely have to.

My wife used to work in a dental office and she says they over book because of no shows and cancellations. If there aren't any that day, patients will have to wait.

 

[wildcatsboston1984_rivals]

I am of the firm belief that the lack of common courtesy from way too many doctors is a cause of malpractice suits. If a doctor treats you like an actual human being, you're less likely to sue them when they screw up, imo. It's amazing to me how many docs I've dealt with have defective personalities and what seems like a total lack of empathy.

Very true. My 99% vegetarian mom (she splurges once in a blue moon and eats meat) that drinks nothing but water and has a bunch of knee, ankle, wrist, and arthritis problems that makes it extremely difficult to lose weight despite very much wanting to and has been depressed at times by her inability to do it went to a doctor once because she was sick with something. After she was diagnosed, the family doctor she had been visiting for years and knew about her physical ailments said, or at least she claims the doctor said, "you are fat, have you considered losing weight?" Like are you serious bro, can you be any more heartless and cruel? My mom walked out on him and changed doctors the next day.

 

[Kattopper]

The paperwork is required as most of that information has to be logged in something called "meaningful use" required by obamacare. Docotors/providers are also required to document certain treatment options/plans that are required to get reimbursed that really aren't part of your current medical problem. Again part of obamacare. The list of required tasks for providers to get paid continues to grow. Couple that with rising premiums, costs -the provider/patient relationship is strained and frustrating to both parties.

 

[P.PattersonISwalkingthruthatdoor]

so did the doc basically tell you to go see @JasonSpear , OP?

 

[P.PattersonISwalkingthruthatdoor]

I've only treated 2 patients in my 4 years working as a PT that had a groin injury because they really usually heal well on their own. But this one guy was in a power wheelchair (still don't really understand how he pulled his groin in a power chair, but anyway), and it was all the classic signs of a groin strain. I usually don't do ultrasound treatment because there's not a ton a good evidence to support it, but I knew that it tended to work well with sprains/strains. Long story short, I had to help him transfer to a treatment table in a private room, have him change into a gown, and had to move his giant balls outta the way to ultrasound his adductor/groin muscles. A little exercise, 3 treatments with me, and some ice and he was better in 2 weeks (probably would've been better regardless).

But yea, that happened.

i used to always bank on the MSK injuries healing before they were able to get in to see PT [laughing] PROBLEM SOLVED!

 

[Kashmir Wolf]

Apparently it wasn't my groin but a a possible hip labral tear. Hopefully it is just pinched or swollen but either way I have an MRI scheduled for next week. Looks like I better get use to sitting in waiting rooms.

Jason, any experience with this condition?

 

[jtrue28]

MRI waiting rooms are the worst.

 

[FutureCityCats_rivals]

In 1970, I had an appointment with a skin doctor. Took off from work and get there. He was an hour and a half late. So when I got the bill I subtracted an hour and a half of my wage and wrote on the bill why I did that. Never heard a word. I was making 2 dollars an hour. So a big 3 bucks off my bill. Try that and report back how it went. FCC.

 

[drxman1]

Apparently it wasn't my groin but a a possible hip labral tear. Hopefully it is just pinched or swollen but either way I have an MRI scheduled for next week. Looks like I better get use to sitting in waiting rooms.

Jason, any experience with this condition?

If they suspect labral tear, should get that hip MRI with an arthrogram. Otherwise, subtle tear could be missed.

 

[Kashmir Wolf]

If they suspect labral tear, should get that hip MRI with an arthrogram. Otherwise, subtle tear could be missed.

Thanks. I looked at the scheduling form and it is a MRI with Arthrogram.

 

[UKGrad93]

My office needs cash flow too, but if I ran my office like health providers do, I would be out of business in short time.

I had surgery a few weeks ago and was told to be at the hospital at 5am. I get there at 4:45 and was still sitting in the waiting room until 6:30am. Finally, I was called back to go over pre op procedures with a lady in her office, then told to go back to waiting room. I was finally was called back for surgery prep at 7:15. I go back and they take my vitals and the nurse says, "sir, your blood pressure is high". I replied, "well I was told to be here at 5am and just now getting back for prep, how would your blood pressure be if they told you to be at work two hours before you start getting paid?" She said she understood, but we do that in case we have a cancellation and the doctor doesn't waste his time waiting for the next patient to get here. I said, I guess if that happened he wouldn't be a happy camper would he and his blood pressure would elevate. What about my time wasted sitting out there at 5am. She said you have a point, but that's just the way it is. I said, and that's why people hate coming to the doctor and usually don't until they absolutely have to.

My wife used to work in a dental office and she says they over book because of no shows and cancellations. If there aren't any that day, patients will have to wait.

Overbooking has become more of an issue ever since the affordable healthcare act went into affect. Healthcare money is not made by producing quality, but rather volume. IF you can find an independent doctor, you may not have as much problem with this, but most larger organizations are driven by accountants and other administrators that want more revenue.

My wife used to work as a nurse practitioner in a busy clinic setting. She preferred to schedule 20-30 min visits so she could actually spend time with her patients. She brought in enough RVUs to pay her salary X2. However, the clinic director wanted her to book shorter appointments, double book, etc... The billing people were constantly on her back to turn over the notes so they could be billed. Last spring she left clinical practice.

There are some offices that do not overbook, but will charge a steep no-show fee. Trade-offs.

 

[DSmith21]

If you don't want to wait and you have the means, you might consider a consierge practice. Some (like the link below) only have 300 patients per doctor rather than the more standard 3,000-4,000. The catch is that you have to pay $4,500/year for this kind of fast access service.

http://myonemd.com/

 

[JB875]

My dad is an internist and strongly considering switching to the concierge route as he starts to wind down his practice. He hasn't done it yet because he feels like he would be abandoning the majority of his patients, but he likes that he wouldn't have to deal with the time constraints, insurance, paperwork, billing, etc in its current state. He's definitely old fashioned, he's a guy who spends his Saturdays visiting patients in their homes who are too inconvenienced by going to his office. Concierge would be right up his alley, again if it didn't mean abandoning 90% of his practice. I'd expect more docs to switch to it for these reasons, which will unfortunately mean fewer primary care providers available for people unable to afford that service.

 

[DSmith21]

My wife and I both lost our separate primary care physicians to these types of practices. I really liked my doctor but couldn't justify the cost since all I need is an annual physical.

 

[P.PattersonISwalkingthruthatdoor]

Adult primary care probably has the worst medicine:bullsh!t ratio in all of American medicine. I'm not sure I could think of a specialty that's worse in that regard (maybe psych, but that field attracts people that thrive on bullsh!t)

 

[RacerX.ksr]

If they suspect labral tear, should get that hip MRI with an arthrogram. Otherwise, subtle tear could be missed.

Beat me to it.

 

[buster3.0]

Odds are 50-50 that your doctor finished in the lower half of his class.

I don't know if that is the case with my primary care doctor. However, he did receive a caribbean medical school education. I am seeing more and more of these type of doctors around here. He seems alright, though. At least he is easy to schedule appointments with and doesn't make you wait. The more established clinic in my town will tell you to wait months before any appointment is available.

 

[drxman1]

Odds are 50-50 that your doctor finished in the lower half of his class.

I know what you are saying, typically primary care residencies tend to be much less competitive...but it's not always the case, some very top students choose to go this route.

The most competitive residencies tend to offer better lifestyles and compensation. It does fluctuate.

 

[starchief]

My dad is an internist and strongly considering switching to the concierge route as he starts to wind down his practice. He hasn't done it yet because he feels like he would be abandoning the majority of his patients, but he likes that he wouldn't have to deal with the time constraints, insurance, paperwork, billing, etc in its current state. He's definitely old fashioned, he's a guy who spends his Saturdays visiting patients in their homes who are too inconvenienced by going to his office. Concierge would be right up his alley, again if it didn't mean abandoning 90% of his practice. I'd expect more docs to switch to it for these reasons, which will unfortunately mean fewer primary care providers available for people unable to afford that service.

Thank God for your old school doctor Dad. There are not many of them around. I don't know whether doctors ever were more sympathetic (maybe not), but they at least made an effort to fake it. Most don't even bother to fake concern any more. Healthcare now is an assembly line operation. All the doctor knows about you is what they notice on their chart/tablet as they walk in the door to your room. Initial consultation. Set you up for blood work. Arrange for you to see a specialist. Consult with specialist. Get procedure done. Get prescription for latest breakthrough med costing about $400 a month (for a pill with maybe ten cents worth of ingredients) because there is no generic and you have to have it. Followup visit with specialist, who recommends you check back in 3-6 months (two weeks if insurance will pay for it). Return to family doctor, who arranges to see you again in 3-6 months (or whenever insurance will pay for it). Go back in six months, only to learn your doctor is no longer there. Begin search for new doctor, preferably one that can speak understandable English (yes, I'm talking to you, Indians). Rinse and repeat.

 

[wildcatsboston1984_rivals]

I had an appointment with the eye doctor once. Mid afternoon right after lunch. So I just took off the afternoon. Got there 15 minutes early, because if you're not 15 minutes early you're 15 minutes late in my world. When my appointment time came up, doctor was nowhere to be found. Receptionist said the doctor would be back in 15 minutes. 15 minutes gone by, doctor still nowhere to be found. Receptionist promised me he was on the way. 45 minutes later, so one hour after my original appointment time, I just got up and left

Rescheduled it for another day, was able to get one at 10 am, when they would first take appointments. Got there 9:45, front door was locked, which it shouldn't be because they are supposed to have the waiting room open by 9:30. Waited until 10, checked to see if they were open yet. Door was locked. Waited until 10:30, they never opened. So I left to go back to work. Called them the next day, receptionist said they has planned to be closed the whole day. I essentially told them they can go screw themselves since they scheduled me for a day when they knew they wouldn't be open and got a new eye doctor.

 

[thecatsareback#8]

I've only treated 2 patients in my 4 years working as a PT that had a groin injury because they really usually heal well on their own. But this one guy was in a power wheelchair (still don't really understand how he pulled his groin in a power chair, but anyway), and it was all the classic signs of a groin strain. I usually don't do ultrasound treatment because there's not a ton a good evidence to support it, but I knew that it tended to work well with sprains/strains. Long story short, I had to help him transfer to a treatment table in a private room, have him change into a gown, and had to move his giant balls outta the way to ultrasound his adductor/groin muscles. A little exercise, 3 treatments with me, and some ice and he was better in 2 weeks (probably would've been better regardless).

But yea, that happened.

Why was Aaron Harrison in a power wheelchair?