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Or maybe just the people that work up front.  Do they understand that there is life outside that little office bubble they barricade themselves in everyday from 8 to 4?  I got a call this morning from an orthopedic doctor that my GP is sending me to.  Since I'm a new patient she starts asking me all these "new patient" info questions.  I finally said, "Ma'am, can I just fill out the papers later, I have to get to work?"  Boy did she get pissy after that, and practically frick'n hung up on me. 

Screw you lady... 

The girls at my GP are the same way, rude and condescending.

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I would mention this to the doctor or at least to the office manager (large practices usually have one).  I have done this and they tried to make amends by not charging me for the office visit.  Sometimes, the boss needs to be made aware of what is going on.

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15 minutes ago, Indy said:

You want them to get real pissy, leave after waiting 20 minutes and not being called back.  They also don't like when they threaten to charge you and say they were running late because the Doctor was busy and you reply that you are too and you were there.  Then suggest they do a better job of scheduling to allow some buffer in the event of things popping up.

Speaking from experience?

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The receptionist/office worker at my PCP is probably the best in the world. She is getting worn out, though. We talk. She was telling me how many of the patients don't do the right thing, ever. Also, the medical records section is all electronic and she tells me she has twice the paper work since they converted to electronic. Also, the records management system only works properly on half of the information but nobody can fix it.

To show how people don't work with the system, the office has started double booking all appointments.

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7 minutes ago, petitepedal said:

Thanks...I am dreading this whole find a new doctor deal...

I'm seriously considering this.  I've been with my doctor for going on 20 years, but I've about had it.  A guy I work with was telling me how great his doctor is as well as the girls behind the desk.  I may change.

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Being a certified old person I have acquired a lot of specialists. I have a great PCP, she takes good care of me and is really cute too. My oncologist is the same one that has pulled my wife through four bouts of breast cancer. She is really nice and I trust her. My two orthopedic surgeons are both awesome, I have to have two because one had to give up shoulder work because he was overloaded. My dermatologist keeps and eye on me and anything on my face she refers me to a plastic surgeon who does great work. I have an Ophthalmologist that shows real concern for my eye health. It's a nuisance going in for special testing several times a year but once your vision is gone it's gone.  

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44 minutes ago, petitepedal said:

Thanks...I am dreading this whole find a new doctor deal...

I am too...  The front office folks are great, it's my Dr that I don't care for.  He gives goood advice but damn dude sit for a minute and actually listen to me.  It seems he reads my charts before, tells me what he wants to tell me and then blows doors.  If I want to discuss another issue or concern he tells me to schedule another appt!?!?

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Not as good here.  Having a 2 hour appointment at my eye specialist just to see the doc for 10 minutes has become normal.  To be fair, the technicians do most of the work, recording data, testing, preparing my eyes and moving me from waiting room to waiting room as I wander down the assembly line.

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29 minutes ago, maddmaxx said:

Not as good here.  Having a 2 hour appointment at my eye specialist just to see the doc for 10 minutes has become normal.  To be fair, the technicians do most of the work, recording data, testing, preparing my eyes and moving me from waiting room to waiting room as I wander down the assembly line.

I get the assembly line too but the photographer that takes photos of my optic nerve has had more training in this area than the doctor, I have no clue what level of training the people that test my eyes on those computerated machines have but they seem to know what they are doing. Last time I was in the doctor noticed a drop in vision at the top of the chart both eyes. He didn’t make me retake the test but noted on the chart that next time they need to tape my eyes open. He thinks it was just eyelid droop.

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I can't wait until we finally get smart and create a central patient history database.  This whole fill out 14 pages of a lot of the same information for each and every doctor you see and hope you don't forget something and they have to transcribe it into a computer anyway and you have to do it every time in case something changed is just hideously wasteful and error prone.

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5 minutes ago, 12string said:

I can't wait until we finally get smart and create a central patient history database.  This whole fill out 14 pages of a lot of the same information for each and every doctor you see and hope you don't forget something and they have to transcribe it into a computer anyway and you have to do it every time in case something changed is just hideously wasteful and error prone.

I belong to at least 3 different databases and none talk to each other. My PCP says it costs too much to join one associated with one of the hospitals.

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35 minutes ago, donkpow said:

I belong to at least 3 different databases and none talk to each other. My PCP says it costs too much to join one associated with one of the hospitals.

I’m mostly on one hospital system now except for my oncologist. I leave most forms blank and they don’t say anything.

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I'd say there are two separate issues - the OP where he is called and it is assumed he has time to discuss personal stuff during business hours and the second issue of slow service despite an appointment.

To the first, it is a presumption that just because someone answers a call, that they want to discuss all that stuff at that time.  The office should offer 1) come early and fill it out; 2) fill out on-line; 3) email the forms ahead of time; or 4) do it then.

To the second, considering this has been an issue my ENTIRE adult life (long waits potentially at doctors appointments), it is sort of in the same class as other things folks can predict and decide how to deal with.  I just block off three hours to arrive early, fill out paperwork, wait, deal with the nurse, wait, deal with the doctor, deal with anything else, deal with the checkout.  If I get back some of that time, I am in winning :D

But if you want a doctor that is on time (as you are to your appointment) then that will often require finding the right doctor. :(  That is definitely not listed on the website.

Tom

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I was late to an appointment once by 15 minutes due to traffic and the doctor lectured me. I was young and naive. Next time I am going to let those asshats have it. You know how much time and money I have wasted on them because they were late?? Since when is their time more important than mine?

It's only a matter of time before they try to pull that crap on me again and I will be ready for them -- and they will be sorry.

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1 hour ago, 12string said:

I can't wait until we finally get smart and create a central patient history database.  This whole fill out 14 pages of a lot of the same information for each and every doctor you see and hope you don't forget something and they have to transcribe it into a computer anyway and you have to do it every time in case something changed is just hideously wasteful and error prone.

We have one in the Hartford Health group of hospitals I go to.  It still takes 20 minutes to check in as they verify everything that's already in the conputer.

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On 7/6/2018 at 3:18 PM, maddmaxx said:

We have one in the Hartford Health group of hospitals I go to.  It still takes 20 minutes to check in as they verify everything that's already in the conputer.

All my daughter's specialist are at part of the same hospital.  They just give you an tablet, you look over everything, click a couple boxes and done.

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My doctor is on vacation this week. My wife said I had to make an appointment with someone else and get checked. They made an appointment for three today, called me into examining room at 2:50. Doctor came in at 3:00. They get a star for promptness. Not happy about the diagnosis. I have pneumonia again. They tried to prescribe a Cipro drug. I refused it so they prescribed Doxycycline. If I die it’s my own dang fault. They think my chronic leukemia has gone acute. They are scheduling cat scans and blood work. This might mess up our big cabin vacation with the kids and grandkids.

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On ‎7‎/‎6‎/‎2018 at 10:01 AM, 2Far said:

 

After 40 minutes, I got up told them to cancel the appt. and refund my money.

"Well, he's busy back there".

"It's the first appt after lunch, he's not delivering babies, and you could have at least stuck your head around the corner & let me know what was going on."

The doctor isn't really back there despite your having the first appointment after lunch.

He had a morning golf outing and is still at the 19th hole as the pharmaceutical reps are picking up the charge.

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17 minutes ago, Longjohn said:

My doctor is on vacation this week. My wife said I had to make an appointment with someone else and get checked. They made an appointment for three today, called me into examining room at 2:50. Doctor came in at 3:00. They get a star for promptness. Not happy about the diagnosis. I have pneumonia again. They tried to prescribe a Cipro drug. I refused it so they prescribed Doxycycline. If I die it’s my own dang fault. They think my chronic leukemia has gone acute. They are scheduling cat scans and blood work. This might mess up our big cabin vacation with the kids and grandkids.

Sorry to hear that, LJ.

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On ‎7‎/‎6‎/‎2018 at 1:08 PM, Dottles said:

I was late to an appointment once by 15 minutes due to traffic and the doctor lectured me. I was young and naive. Next time I am going to let those asshats have it. You know how much time and money I have wasted on them because they were late?? Since when is their time more important than mine?

It's only a matter of time before they try to pull that crap on me again and I will be ready for them -- and they will be sorry.

Hmmm.  I personally have never spent  max.15 min. (or even a lot less) filling out a form as a brand new patient (only for this time) about self...unless I have a diagnosis that's not covered my public health insurance.  Still, it's fine...that would be an extra 5-10 min.   The rest, the doctor or assistant fills in --it just depends on their medical records management system. 

I will have a new doctor because my doctor who I've had for past 8 yrs. and like alot, is moving to another province.  In practice clinic, at most for myself, I've never had to wait no more than 45 min. or less in last 8 yrs.  And I have seen this doctor well over 20 times in past few years because I had an accident and had to be checked/monitored by doctor for my progress.  She shares the practice with 4 other physicians and they have a busy practice with some walk-in patients.  So scheduling patients in a more reasonable way without compromising on time with patient to answer questions is not impossible.  Appointment scheduling will never be perfect.

 

 

 

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2 hours ago, Longjohn said:

My doctor is on vacation this week. My wife said I had to make an appointment with someone else and get checked. They made an appointment for three today, called me into examining room at 2:50. Doctor came in at 3:00. They get a star for promptness. Not happy about the diagnosis. I have pneumonia again. They tried to prescribe a Cipro drug. I refused it so they prescribed Doxycycline. If I die it’s my own dang fault. They think my chronic leukemia has gone acute. They are scheduling cat scans and blood work. This might mess up our big cabin vacation with the kids and grandkids.

They did warn you to stay out of the sun when taking Doxycycline.  Do it.  I know this.

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8 hours ago, maddmaxx said:

They did warn you to stay out of the sun when taking Doxycycline.  Do it.  I know this.

They didn’t warn me, this sux, it’s July and I have cabins rented and 11 grandkids showing up. I read the material that came with the prescription front to back. I guess I better look again. I know I shouldn’t take it if I’m pregnant.

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https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/doxycycline-oral-route/precautions/drg-20068229

You already know about the pregnancy and will take proper precautions.  Ditto the diarrhea so I'll just quote the part about the sun. Pay close attention to the part about lipstick as the color you chose may have a major effect.

Doxycycline may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, may cause a skin rash, itching, redness or other discoloration of the skin, or a severe sunburn. When you begin taking this medicine:

Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., if possible.

Wear protective clothing, including a hat. Also, wear sunglasses.

Apply a sunblock product that has a sun protection factor (SPF) number of at least 15. Some patients may require a product with a higher SPF number, especially if they have a fair complexion. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Apply a sunblock lipstick that has an SPF of at least 15 to protect your lips.

 

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3 minutes ago, maddmaxx said:

Apply a sunblock lipstick that has an SPF of at least 15 to protect your lips.

I guess I should be ok. I use a crapton of sunblock SPF 50, always wear the boony hat and dark sunglasses. Just have to find some lipstick. What color lipstick goes with mime face sunblock?

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On 7/6/2018 at 9:35 AM, Road Runner said:

I would mention this to the doctor or at least to the office manager (large practices usually have one).  I have done this and they tried to make amends by not charging me for the office visit.  Sometimes, the boss needs to be made aware of what is going on.

Sadly they are not the boss often.  They have office managers.  Docs just do the medical stuff and rarely control the office anymore.  Offices are owned by hospitals and managed by bean counting bureaucrats anymore.  

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What I dislike is filling out the same form every visit at certain doctor's offices.  It probably started out as a "Are you feeling any different than your last visit?" questionnaire, then some brilliant mind decided you needed to rewrite your entire medical history.  At the office of the surgeon who repaired my shoulder last year, I just write "Same as last time" or "Same as when Dr. Lynch repaired my Achilles Tendon in 1989 - look it up."

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