Doctor's punctuality

[edgie]

My Doctor comes with a bad rep, was apparently a real grumpy bum with horrible bedside manner when he first arrived in town (his wife has just passed!). Anyhow, I need a Doctor one time so I go to my usual clinic and they hook me up with him and I get in within 5 minutes and he's great, never had a problem with him, always remembers me even though I may only go twice a year, takes my appointments and issues seriously.

He usually ends with just asking a vague "anything else I can help with?" after the main issue is sorted, which is usually followed by 10 minutes of idle chatter, about dogs or alcohol or the fall of the Soviet Union. I'm probably that guy that holds other people up.

 

[chargers 09]

I waited almost two hours to see a doctor recently. Was not happy.

Bulk biller?

 

[Private Hudson]

Waited 3 hours at a public hospital outpatient clinic, was in with the doctor for less then a minute.

 

[grouse mate]

Waited 3 hours at a public hospital outpatient clinic, was in with the doctor for less then a minute.

Have had similar wait time at an outpaitents clinic, will never go back to one.

 

[grouse mate]

Had a physio appointment during the week, got in early and booked a 10am appointment, was the first one available. Campaigner was still 20 mins late and billed me $4 extra for 2 pissy bits of tape on each side of my knee. Im giving him 2 weeks tops and if its no better Im going somewhere else.

 

[radiojake]

I used to work on reception at a very busy bulk-billing clinic - We took appointments but also took walk-ins as well. Sometimes appointments would be an hour late while sometimes I've seen walk-ins wait for three hours.

It was pretty rough being on the desk because it was always us that the patients complained to - I don't think they ever said anything to the doctors. Quite often I'd be asked how long until their turn. If they had an appointment, I'd say there's two or three (or whatever the number of people) in front of them, then they'd ask "so how long will that be? " - this was the worst question of all..

I have no idea.. How long will YOU be?


There was one doctor who was always, without fail, atleast an hour late for his appointments. I only ever booked patients who specifically asked to see him, because they knew how long he takes, but they also know he'll take as much time as they need when they do see him. Occasionally inexperienced staff would book random appts with that doctor much to my chagrin, because no doubt these patients will get annoyed with how long they are waiting for...



Medical clinics would run a whole lot smoother if people didn't have to get sick certificates for their workplace

 

[MWPP]

Medical clinics would run a whole lot smoother if people didn't have to get sick certificates for their workplace

Luckily at our workplace, we only need one if it's for longer than 1-2 days (not that it's hard to get a colleague to sign one....)
People don't have enough awareness of/don't make enough use of things like *Dial a Doctor* , or online consultations (both of which can provide medical certificates)
Some nurses can sign medical certificates too

 

[Private Hudson]

Have had similar wait time at an outpaitents clinic, will never go back to one.

I didn't really have a choice though. The funny thing is I was waiting for 3 hours and people would arrive 2 hours after me and were going to the desk and complaining that they were waiting 25 minutes.

 

[mcgarnacle]

Actually giving a shit maybe why doctors spend more then the 15 minute alloted time with someone?

i'm sure there are many patients who crap on about insignificant crap, further delaying the appointment schedule.

 

[craigos]

With the amount of rubbish old people tell strangers about their health problems I can't even begin to imagine what they must unload onto Doctors.