Discussions

I was wondering if there is someone I can call to place a complaint regarding doctor wait times. I had a doctor appointment at 10:45. I called at 10:20 to see if there was a wait or if the doctor was on time. They told me that I should come in at noon. The doctor was about an 1 1/2 hours behind. I showed up at noon and they said there was still 2 short appointments ahead of me. I sat there until 1:30 waiting and I got tired of waiting and left. This is not the first time this has happened. Everytime I go to this doctor for an appointment I am always waiting at least 1.5 hours and that is after calling in to see were I am on the list and going in when they suggest me to show up. One time I had an appointment at 2:00 and I did not get in to see the doctor until 5:00. I just do not think this is right.

Maybe we have the same Dr.?? Lol! I don't think my Dr. Has EVER been on time. Not once. Anyways, I you can make a complaint to the college of physicians and surgeons of Manitoba. Just visit the website for additional information.

That is why I stopped having a family doctor. Taking a day off work just for a 20 minute appointment with a 6 hour wait time got the best of me.

I know exactly how you feel and happen to be on both sides of the fence a little bit. My GP happens to be one of those "chronic" doctors that run late. I've often wondered why, when it's a constant issue...and it is, can't they adjust the doctor's schedule? Why continue to jam pack appts back to back day after day when it's always the same outcome? I mean I know that doctors get paid per patient and the occasional emergencies will come up but c'mon...I know there's going to be people out there that say "be thankful you have a GP and free health care etc etc" and that's all fine and dandy, BUT as far as scheduling goes coming from someone who works in a medical office myself I think it could be managed much better, unfortunately that's up to the scheduling gods I suppose :/

Like a really long time to wait. Is your doctor making emergency calls to the hospital? I cant think of any other reason that you should have to wait that long

There are of course the doctors here in town that are known for their ridiculous wait times, but what amazes me is that some other doctors with the exact same specialty and schedules always seem to manage to be relatively on time. Eg. one OBGYN you wait hours for, but another is pretty much always on time, maybe at the worst like 1/2 hour behind. Emergencies do happen, but I just don't see why one can be on time and the other can't.

xanthe100 said "Like a really long time to wait. Is your doctor making emergency calls to the hospital? I cant think of any other reason that you should have to wait that long "

Nope, the doctor is in the office the whole time. But when I go in for a short visit, I am in there minimum 30 minutes. I can go in for a simple issue and I am not leaving that office before 30 minutes and a long appointment is like an hour.

Jellybean said "There are of course the doctors here in town that are known for their ridiculous wait times, but what amazes me is that some other doctors with the exact same specialty and schedules always seem to manage to be relatively on time. Eg. one OBGYN you wait hours for, but another is pretty much always on time, maybe at the worst like 1/2 hour behind. Emergencies do happen, but I just don't see why one can be on time and the other can't. "

i agree that there is on gyno that is chronically late but what i still choose that dr for my pregnancy because i KNOW that no matter how far behind that Dr is I will NEVER be rushed out of the office if needed, no matter how late the scheduled is running, sometimes the desk staff could be a touch better at keeping the patients informed about the expected time you will get in tho  
 
I also wonder if that is why other Drs are always running behind, but the Ops story does seem excessive and a conversation finding out what happened or complaint to either the Drs office or the Collage or both, possibly a switch in Drs too wold be in order

Ratemds.com. You can leave your comment for your specific dr.

Send a letter (email or snail mail) to the clinic manager with all the facts and figures, no embellishments - just the facts and your assessment of the situation. You can ask why etc. But if you don't complain in the right ears all the moaning in the world won't fix the problem.

Especially the surgeons. Some doctors have to work the walk in and see their own patients at the same time so I feel for them!  
 

Johnbisonbear said "Especially the surgeons. Some doctors have to work the walk in and see their own patients at the same time so I feel for them!     "

I agree, doctors are run off their feet, and there are situations that can't be helped, but it's still surprising that some are able to manage their days much more efficiently than others.

Asking the doctor directly next appointment?

Our Doctor sees all her regular patients from approximately 9-5, then works walk-in from approximately 5-9. Not thrilled when we can't get an appointment and have to wait almost 3 hours at the walkin, but she is great and we feel lucky to have a family doctor. I guess it beats 6 hours in the ER.

i have had prompt service and not so prompt service from my doctor , i feel that when it is not so prompt that something has come up that is much more serious than my immediate problem ,and if i or someone close to me was the one jumping the que i would be appreciative . i also enjoy when my problem is not considered so serious.

MY World said "I was wondering if there is someone I can call to place a complaint regarding doctor wait times. I had a doctor appointment at 10:45. I called at 10:20 to see if there was a wait or if the doctor was on time. They told me that I should come in at noon. The doctor was about an 1 1/2 hours behind. I showed up at noon and they said there was still 2 short appointments ahead of me. I sat there until 1:30 waiting and I got tired of waiting and left. This is not the first time this has happened. Everytime I go to this doctor for an appointment I am always waiting at least 1.5 hours and that is after calling in to see were I am on the list and going in when they suggest me to show up. One time I had an appointment at 2:00 and I did not get in to see the doctor until 5:00. I just do not think this is right. "

This exact same thing happened to me last time a few weeks ago. I have had this same doctor for over 20 years, but lately I find myself becoming more & more annoyed by this. Was even thinking of actually getting a doctor closer to where I live, but unfortunately none of the doctors at this particular clinic are accepting new patients.

Solution... go to rural dr. Bdn Clinic is habitually late...do they not train their receptionists how to manage appointments OR is it all about squeezing in as many patients as possible ,,about $$$$$$

I go to Trinity Medical Clinic and there are two doctors there. They are never late for appointments, and even manage to squeeze walk-ins in... I've never sat longer than 1/2 hour on a walk-in.  
 
So... maybe just switch doctors?

FGH said "Solution... go to rural dr. Bdn Clinic is habitually late...do they not train their receptionists how to manage appointments OR is it all about squeezing in as many patients as possible ,,about $$$$$$ "

when my Mom needed to see her doctor ASAP and she phoned for a quick appointment she was offered one two weeks later. I swore I would never use their clinic again, lol. Now not only is Dad a patient there but I am too!  
 
There has been a few times where I have been able to get into see my doctor (same one as Dad) on the day that I have to escort him so I am so grateful for that!  
 
The receptionists at this clinic are great!  
 
When seeing the surgeon years ago we were there quite late as he had an emergency at the hospital. We looked at the situation like this.... The doctor was helping someone else's loved one when they most needed it. Made us feel better thinking that way.