Make Medicine Better

Doctor Waits
I had an appointment today at 8.30, and knowing that I have new insurance, I made sure that I got there a little early so I could fill out any paper work. Well, that was a fine and dandy decision, had it actually worked.

First, it took them about 30 to 45 minutes to get my card back to me. Then I sat and waited some more. Then, I was kindly escorted back to one of the rooms where I sat and waited for another 20 minutes before someone came in and told me that I needed to wear some shorts. Ok, fine, I put on the little blue shorts. Another 15 or 20 minutes goes by and I finally get to see one of the doctors. And another 15 minutes or so, I get my X-Rays done. Then, I sit for more time, staring at my X-Rays. Alone.
Finally, my orthopedic surgeon visits me. He looks at my X-Rays and then tests out the tendons and whatnot and comes to a conclusion. To solidify that conclusion, he does the ol’ palpitation and asks, “Does this hurt?” Me, “Ouch! Yes, it does hurt!”

He explains to me what the issue as after moving my patella all over the place. OK, fine. That’s great, now what? Well, I have to wear a brace for 6 more weeks. So, now I have to go get the brace. Now, it’s time to head over to the PT area. Where, you’re never gonna believe this … I sat and waited some more. One PT stopped by and looked at my chart. Several others just walked by. After about 15 minutes of this and annoying, screaming little girl next to me, I finally got totally fed up and went to ask one of the young PTs where was I supposed to be? Over there, or over there where I was sitting?
Mind you, I am STILL wearing the hospital issue shorts.

So, she asks me what it is that I need. I said, “I am supposed to get a brace for my knee and I have to go. I have spent 2.5 hours already here and I have a lot of work that is not getting done.” So, she kindly came over, looked at my chart, and asked, “Oh, you didn’t have to see the doctor?” I said, “No, I just did. I just need to get my brace and go.” She proceeded to tell me that someone usually tells her if a patient needs a PT or the doctor. No one said anything. And she basically put the responsibility on me to ask someone to help. Um, what? I called, made my appointment, got here in time, brought all that I needed and you’re telling me that I have to tell you how to do your job? Ugh. My patience has now run out.
So, she wanders away and gets my brace for me. Shows me how to put it on, work it, had me sign a form and then asked where the bathroom was because I was not going to walk out with blue hospital shorts, Nike running shoes and a nice black sweater up top.

When I made my appointment to go back, I said, “Can I get an appointment where I don’t have to sit around for 2.5 hours?” Apparently, when the doctor, my surgeon, has surgery issues they throw the whole day off. Great. So why not call your appointments that day and say something so I don’t waste my time and my client’s time by sitting around doing absolutely nothing? A call, an email, some kind of courtesy would have made my absolutely frustrating morning that lasted 2.75 hours so much better.

Plus, sitting there an NO ONE asking me if I needed anything also truly perturbed me, too. If you’re a professional and there’s some lone person looking like they are waiting on something, I think the guy that has 1 PT working on him and 2 of you watching can stand to lose one PT so that you can help the loner that has been sitting as patiently as possible for 2.5 hours already.

What do you think about excessive waiting and people not really taking their profession seriously?