How long does it take?

Jun 9, 2008 | Life, Rants | 4 comments

I'm tired of the medical profession in some respects. Going to the clinic when there's no one else waiting to be seen, and then waiting for 45 minutes in the exam room without anyone coming to say anything — sorry, Dr. X is running behind, he's on the 15th hole and expects to finish the course soon — is ridiculous. And we pay for this privilege.

I applaud medical people, and I thank them for taking care of us. I really do. It's not an easy job. But why does it take so blasted long for the doctor to see you when no one else is ahead of you? When there are about 10 nurses running around and no patients — or maybe one or two in an exam room somewhere? Why can't anyone come and tell you when to expect Dr. X? Am I wrong in thinking it'd be nice to know when to expect this vaunted and necessary person's appearance?

And is it just me, but do you start to think because they've put you in an exam room and closed the door that perhaps they forgot you were there? I truly am a patient person. But 45 minutes alone in a freezing, silent room is a bit much, I think. TELL me Dr. X is busy. Tell me he's running behind, we're sorry, etc. I am patient and understanding. But sheesh, my time is worth something too! Thank heavens for the iPod Touch. And books.

Yeah, so that's what I did over the weekend. How about you?

4 Comments

  2. Problem Child
    Problem Child on June 9, 2008 at 1:32 pm

    Yes, I do wonder if I’ve been forgotten…and once I was. I came out an hour later and all the nurses seemed shocked to find me still there.

  3. Cynthia E. Bagley
    Cynthia E. Bagley on June 9, 2008 at 5:42 pm

    No they don’t forget about me…I might actually die on the exam floor. LOL

    Although sometimes I wonder if the doctor overbooks.

    So why were you there? Hope you are okay, Lynn.

    Cyn

  4. Lynn Raye Harris
    Lynn Raye Harris on June 9, 2008 at 9:15 pm

    Mark, totally cool!!!

    PC: OMG, they really forgot you? Yeah, I’d be pretty ticked by then. I did, I must confess, walk out and go to the bathroom just so I’d have to pass the nurse who would then remember I was there. Do you think she gave me a status report on Dr. X? Course not.

    Cyn: I bet they do overbook. Nope, nothing serious, I’m fine. It was convenient to go when I did (and they even told me they were having a slow day, which really makes me wonder what Dr. X was doing!).