Does your MD make you feel like you're at McDonalds?

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

SF VIP
Location
The Sticks, Northeast PA.
I've got one doctor, who is part of this 10 doc practice. I had the 2:10 appt.-they are only 10 minute appts. At 2:10, I was in one of the offices. He came in and read my chart, asked me a few questions. He, then, recited my diagnosis, and well, see me next year. If you've ever been to Jiffy- Lube, or one of those 10 minute-change-your-oil places, that's what it felt like. Or maybe McDonalds. You say two cheese burgers, fries, diet coke and before you can take a breath, it's on a tray in front of you. At least at Micky D's, they smile at you.logoimage.img.png
 

I hear you. Healthcare isn't what it used to be, it's rather impersonal. We're often made to feel like a number as they are required to see so many patients in a day. You're right though, they could at least smile.
 
My family Doc retired a couple of years ago. I don't have a new one yet. If I need one, I'll
look over the lot; one with his own office in a professional building; NOT one of those conveyor belt ones
who are salaried; like Kaiser, for example. Maybe get a referral from one of my brainy friends, like the
pharmacist who lives next door.
 

My doctor now is pretty good about taking more time but I've had doctors in the past that have been like that. Things were misdiagnosed, simple but were on their way to serious outcomes. Thank goodness for Doctor Google!

Our pet's Vet takes a lot longer to explain things about the pets and options for treatment than most people doctors. I've often wished I could just go to the Vet when I'm sick. Seriously.
 
The past 15 years my husband and I both go the our local Community Health Practice. Set up to accept any patients regardless of income, CHP is wonderful. There are three offices within 30 miles, one less than a mile from our house. We have insurance which they accept and bill. You don't have to be low income or uninsured to use their services. You get as much time as you need, go over a lab report explaining it line by line, answer your questions and then when you think you're finished, she looks you right in the eye and asks how you're doing in general. That is the extra that I really appreciate since it makes the relationship more personal.
 
I still remember an incident 41 years ago when pregnant with our youngest daughter. I was super depressed and wanted to talk to my doc. As I was crying and trying to talk through my tears, I see my doc checking his watch! I shut down/shut up and left. All these years ago, but I still remember how unimportant my issues were to this man!
 
We have a wonderful Doctor! He and a partner established a practice downtown (Small town) and now they have new offices with another partner. All records are digital so specialists and hospitals have instant access to our medical history. He always has time for us and can usually provide an on-the-spot solution to minor problems we might have. All three Doctors are fairly young and all are from South Africa and we are under Canada's Universal Health Care systems. For routine visits we can get in within two or three days, emergencies we can get in right away during office hours or the Emergency Room anytime. Hope I haven't killed the thread but we are really proud of our medical system and our Doctor.
 
Falcon said:
My family Doc retired a couple of years ago. I don't have a new one yet. If I need one, I'll
look over the lot; one with his own office in a professional building; NOT one of those conveyor belt ones
who are salaried; like Kaiser, for example. Maybe get a referral from one of my brainy friends, like the
pharmacist who lives next door.
Click to expand...

Around here, there are very few of those left. They've all either joined one of those practices or retired. They say they can't afford to practice medicine the old fashioned way with today's insurance environment.
 
At our healthcare facility, the doctors are allowed 15 minutes per patient. Ten of that is spent on their laptop. He reads off my tests, checks my breathing and ask what refills I need. Wham, bam....

That's why I try to go to my local VA clinic now. One half hour per patient and plenty of time to discuss problems and solutions. The doctor I have now is a good listener and seems to really care about me, as a person, not a number in the system. It's a little out of the way for me but worth the time to feel that I have accomplished something.
 
Pappy said:
At our healthcare facility, the doctors are allowed 15 minutes per patient. Ten of that is spent on their laptop. He reads off my tests, checks my breathing and ask what refills I need. Wham, bam....

That's why I try to go to my local VA clinic now. One half hour per patient and plenty of time to discuss problems and solutions. The doctor I have now is a good listener and seems to really care about me, as a person, not a number in the system. It's a little out of the way for me but worth the time to feel that I have accomplished something.
Click to expand...
My doctor has evolved to the 15 minute variety over the years. I don't like it and I don't see how a doctor can hold up over time doing that. It seems to me that it is bad for the patient and the doctor... talk about burnout.
 
No, my MD spends a lot of time with everyone. Only problem is, whoever does the scheduling doesn't schedule enough time, so there is a long wait to see him. He's always running behind.
 
My doctor and I are growing old together. I met him 40 some years ago in the ER for road rash. He was finishing up his residency. He opened a one man shop, does what he is good at,knows his limitations,know who to send you to.

The missus and I get lab work every eight to twelve weeks. He will always call Sunday afternoon chit chat a bit and give us the results.

Sometimes he'll get to talking during an office visit, and the office manager,or his wife will come knocking on the door.
 
My doctor of 23 years has been my neighbour for the past 7 years and I have absolutely no complaints about either our professional or personal relationship. I will be very sad if she retires but hopefully that won't be for some time as she's 10 years younger than me.
 
I have a "boutique" type doctor; he doesn't take insurance, you pay a fee once a year, and in exchange for that you get lots of time and attention, unlimited office visits, even house calls when needed. When you go into his office, you are warmly greeted by name and offered light refreshments. His receptionists, nurses, etc. treat you as if you are a welcome human being. If you need a referral to a specialist, he is on the phone with them, setting it up within a few days, as opposed to waiting a couple of months if you call them yourself. To me, it's worth what I am paying for it.
 
mitchezz said:
My doctor of 23 years has been my neighbour for the past 7 years and I have absolutely no complaints about either our professional or personal relationship. I will be very sad if she retires but hopefully that won't be for some time as she's 10 years younger than me.
Click to expand...

I should add that it does not cost me anything too see her.....all covered by Medicare.
 
My dr retired and it took some time to get used to my new east Indian female dr as I only go there twice a year. It's a conglomerate with several drs, for seniors only. I last saw her in Nov. and I asked her how she remembers my GDs, does she have a reminder written in front of my file so she'll seem more personable? She said no just that she tries. I appreciated that a lot. When we're talking she's on the computer writing out my scripts but also added that she was proud of me taking my pain meds so responsibly. I like her more each time. And I never wait more than 5-10 min. She's a keeper, I think.
 
I went in for my annual "well check" a few years ago and had a similar experience. The doctor, who was also somewhat of a personal friend (my ex is a physician), did a cursory physical exam, entered the order for annual Rx refills on her laptop, and then proceeded to leave - all in under 10 minutes.

I stopped her and said there were a few things I wanted to discuss before she left; afterall unless I'm ill (and I rarely am - knock on wood), I see her once yearly. She looked at me, somewhat scornfully, and said "I don't have time for this! You'll have to make a separate appointment!" To which I replied, "Seriously? I see you once a year and have 10 minutes to discuss my health?!" Her face turned a nice red and she gave me a few more moments. That was the last time I saw her.

I switched to one of her colleagues and he asked why I made the change. I told him and he has never rushed me.

If you don't like the service you're getting from a doctor, move on!
 
I have a great




I have a great GP, who I have had for 20 years. If it is not urgent I usually can see him within 10 days,
if I am sick usually the same day or early the next day. He takes his time with his patients and we only have to wait 20-30 mins once at his office.
I also have an urologist who sees me the same day as I only see him when I have a UTI and need
a prescription; I may have to wait but I don't mind as I know some have waited two or three months
for appointments.
 
The doc, who caused me to write this thread, was one of a 8-10 member group. He read my chart, asked me a couple of questions. And as I was trying to explain how I felt, I felt he wasn't paying attention to me. He already made his diagnosis, and could careless about what I was babbling on about. I also was going over my 1 minute, 15 sec. allotted response time. He gave me a short pat recap of my diagnosis, and make an appt. at the front desk.

BTW all my other docs are the older and not in a" Group, LLC"
 
I am very fortunate. Our Doc has time for us. He asks, we tell, we discuss. Six and a half years ago he had a suspicion and sent me for a prostate biopsy. Long story short - it was quite subtle but serious. My oncologist commented that my Primary Doc had done a "life saving feel".
 

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