Please watch the short video.
- Did I or did I not do the right thing?
- Have you thought about leaving a doctor’s office because he or she made you wait too long?
- Have you actually left an office like this?
I look forward to reading your comments.
Time To Watch Our Video Post…Let Me Know: Did I Do The Right Thing?
17 Responses to “Time To Watch Our Video Post…Let Me Know: Did I Do The Right Thing?” - Leave a Reply
| Thank you for your comments. If you would like to sign up for your picture to be displayed next to your comments, click here to go to gravatar.com |  |
Fee Sepahi says:
You did the right thing!
I used to have a dentist, that if I wasn’t on time, he would not see me.
I TOTALLY agree with your rationale and your actions.
Merrill Dubrow says:
thanks Fee – interesting Dentist.
Matt O'Mara says:
First of all, is that your Man-Cave or your office? I’m impressed with the sports memorabilia on display!
This is a tough one for me, in that I’m married to a physician (an Ob/Gyn). In Ann’s practice, a routine office visit can turn into a complication pretty quickly; which can screw up the rest of the schedule. Ann had one case in particular, where the patient was starting to deliver in the office (they had to call for an ambulance). When she was finally able to attend to the other patients, one woman was indignant for having to wait. My wife had to calmly explain to this woman that a fellow patient nearly gave birth a few feet away and that took priority.
Now, having said all that… I did the same thing that you did several years ago. I was in to see a knee specialist for some pain that I had been experiencing. I waited for over 45 minutes in the exam room, but had to leave to see a client. I explained that it was risky of me to schedule two appointments so close together, but I had to go. The good news is that the pain went away with rest before I was able to get in to see the doctor!
Merrill Dubrow says:
Matt,
Thanks for the response and yes that is my man cave in my office. I probably have about 40 autographed items in my office. Guests seem to like looking at some of the stuff.
Glad to hear I wasn’t the only one who left a doctor appointment.
Merrill
Roger Austin says:
You did the right thing.
I have been there and only once left explaing that my time was as valuable as the doctors. We happened to be friends and he called me that night and apologized and said he would see me first thing in the morning. I told him just to have his nurse schedule me on a day where there was an appointment available becasue by seeing me in the morning he was just doing to another patient what he did to me today. I told him he needed to fix that mind set. They have gotten better.
i have been trained by the doctors now. i only take the first appoinment at any doctor, dentist, or any other kind of doctor. it is the only way to ensure you get in and out in a timely fashion.
No way will I go in in the afternoon. They schedule way too many patients and can not possibly run their office on time.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Roger,
I tend to do the same strategy 99% of the time… Take the first appointment funny though when the doctor doesn’t take you on time for that appointment. What does that say about his/her systems and value of time?
Thanks.
Merrill
Michael Halberstam says:
Perfect! I have left quite a few doctor’s appointments for the same reason. (I go to way to many doctors) It’s rude, unprofessional and inconsiderate of my time. It’s worse when no comes in, periodically, and let’s you know what’s going on, asks how you are doing and gives you an update. I have also left other offices for the same reason.
Now, I only book the first appointment in the morning or the first one after lunch.
Like the video but lose the tie once in a while. People will still recognize you.
M
Merrill Dubrow says:
Michael,
Glad you like the video – maybe I will lose the tie and go with a bright/colorful Hawaiian shirt – may need to mix it up in 2015!
Thanks.
Merrill
Ginger Blazier says:
You did the right thing by leaving, but not the right thing, in my opinion, by waiting 31 minutes, unless it was absolutely pertinent. I don’t have that much patience or time. As my dad always told me, time is money. In fact, he had left many a doctor’s office before seeing the doctor and let them know that his time was just as valuable as the doctor’s time. He would, in fact, let the office know how much he would have been able to charge for that time with one of his own clients. Unfortunately, there are times where you have to see the doctor due to injury or illness, and that is when you are between a rock and a hard place!
Merrill Dubrow says:
Ginger,
I like your point of view. So leave after 15/20 minutes?
Thanks.
Merrill
Ginger Blazier says:
Yes, and I would let them know beforehand.
Ed Sugar says:
You made the right decision.
This is why “choice” and the “free market” are so important for a robust and functional healthcare system.
Most doctors, dentists and physicians charge for late cancellations, so what then is the price they have to pay for when they delay or clog up our personal and business schedules?
Merrill Dubrow says:
Ed,
Very good point!
Merrill
Michelle Adams says:
I think you did the right thing… time is money; even for those us who aren’t medical professionals. They need to be sensitive to the wait times we all encounter. Keeping you informed of any delays when you checked in; would have probably helped you chose to stay or to leave…without the frustration.
Really like you using video! Glad you are shaking it up.
Al says:
This certainly seems to be a recurring theme for that industry. Now I don’t feel so isolated.
A little over a year ago I had an 8:00 am appointment to see my doctor. When I got to the office I was told he was on his way. I thought, “Well, that’s at least considerate of the doctor to have phoned in.” I thought by running late he meant 5, maybe 10 minutes. The guy didn’t show up in the examining room for 30 minutes, and when he did, not a word of apology. To add insult to injury, as he was reading the results of my blood work from his laptop I asked him for the results of a specific item. Instead of reading what was in front of him he says, “Come here and see for yourself,” as if telling me what I asked for was akin to taking a command from me.
I called the next day and canceled the appointment I was suppose to have with him telling the receptionist I wanted to find a doctor that was closer to my home. My only regret now is that I didn’t want to seem negative and tell the receptionist the real reason. I should have not only told her but then sent him an email and explained exactly what I was doing and why; not that this would have probably meant anything to him, but at least he would have known and been told, and I would have had the satisfaction of letting him know that simply because he is an M.D. doesn’t preclude good professional behavior.
There. I’ve been meaning to vent on this. Thanks.
Al says:
I wish I could remember the website I discovered right after this event where doctors, their staff, and their office settings are rated by patients and benchmarked to national averages. I would post it here.
That doctor’s staff was nice, as was the office setting and this was reflected by the scores they got. His results?
Yep, below the national average.
Al says:
OH, and move the camera in a bit closer. Too much background and not enough Star Power !!!