Still pisses me off that Dr's play this money game.

[southy]

So I wait for two weeks for a follow up appointment that I waited a week for regarding a medication issue. I arrive at my appointed time and wait … and wait …. and wait some more. Finally approximately 25 minutes later I'm ushered into my appointment. Another game … let's move you from the waiting area and into an actual office you will feel better about waiting even more to see your doctor. Anyone else get to play this game. So there I sit in my doctor's office for another 10 minutes. Finally I am greeted by a very rushed doctor who gives me a slight grin and asks how I am. If I was fine I sure the hell wouldn't be playing this game. So I tell the doctor I'm there to follow up on some blood tests that were requested. The doctor gets on the computer and says … I see you had (_______ exam) well that was 3 months ago. Surgeon handled everything on it. So I was somewhat surprised this doctor would even bring it up. Now onto the blood work … ahh .. an issue with medication. LIsten carefully … this was my one issue for seeing this doctor, however, I felt other issues I was having were directly related to this as well, but because I have a doctor who is a ONE ISSUE PER VISIT ONLY kinda doctor … I was quickly but gently and professionally shown to the door and told to book another appointment. Hummmm … the other game.
It's a money game folks. Doctors are paid a fee for service but only one issue at a time. I left feeling like whatever trust I had in this doctor has quickly disappeared. This doctor showed no empathy … and when asked questions only preferred to answer the one dealing with my medication issue. *bleep* off I am. So I went on line to try and figure this out as it has been bothering me for some time. And of course as you know … you just can't fire your doctor and move on to someone who would have your best interest at heart instead of just wanting to put through as many patients as possible to bump that weekly revenue total up. Here is what I found … some of you are probably aware of this, and perhaps there have been changes over the past 4 years but over all story is very interesting. It did relieve some of my anger but I still feel betrayed.

Here is link to story: https://www.policynote.ca/how-doctors-are-paid-in-bc/

Would like to hear stories from others who are sharing the same frustrations with their doctors.

[Bsuds]

My Dr will address 3 issues at a time.

[Even Steven]

Doctors only have a limited amount of time to see a patient before they run to another one. They need to meet a certain quota of patients per day. They can't spend more time than allocated when they're busy, otherwise, they risk being behind schedule.

The reason why you had to wait for the doctor to show up even though you were on time is that patients before you were pestering doctors beyond that time limit. So, you see how it affects you, and that's why doctors try to avoid it as much as possible. But older patients always get all fussy about it thinking their GP is their personal doctor and they can sit there and go through 80 years of medical history with them along with updates on how their kids are doing, and what that insufferable neighbor Helena is up to these days...So, that's why doctors insist on telling clients to book another appointment for other issues.

Granted, if the doc isn't busy he can be relaxed and talk to you about other issues but if they're busy don't expect personal attention. You want personal attention you hire a private doctor. They'll give you all the time in the world while they're billing you at triple digits per hour.

[W105]

well Steven, obviously some of us know that doctors are extremely busy people and not all of us who needs to see a doc is 80 yrs old...my new doctor is like southy's...short, quick and he also only allows ONE issue per visit..my retired doctor who I had for 15 yrs was NEVER like that..

recently I had to go see my new doc for a minor issue that HE told me to comeback 3 weeks later to check on and I waited an hr, then another 20 min sitting in his office and he barely said hello and I told him I was there for the call back that he requested and than I had a sinus infection (which was painful) so I told him that I probably need a script for some antibiotics and he points to his door and says his sign says ONE issue per visit..and I said, so what ?? I've been waiting for you for 1 hr 20 min, I know I can't complain about it because I know that he has no real control over what issues that his patients have until he sees them and how much time each one might take...but for the love of god it will only take but a few seconds to write me a script for my sinus infection...he sighed and then said ok and wrote me the script...

I had much better medical treatment in my younger days...eg: my old doc allowed me a yrly physical (her office actually called me every yr to tell me that I was due for one) I have some genetic issues that runs in my Family and my yrly physical and bloodwork caught a few of them before they got serious..today you cannot request a physical exam unless you 1) need it because of a medical issue that you're dealing with right at that moment or 2) you wanna pay for it..

I also was able to have yrly pap tests..not no more (and 2 of my sisters have had cervical cancer) now it's when the cancer society calls me...was told from the time I was 40 that mammograms were a MUST every yr..(my mother died of breast cancer) just recently got mine and was told now I only need one every 2 yrs..

I had much better treatment in my younger yrs than I do now as I am getting older..

I sure miss my old doctor...she was the best !!

[Randall T]

I think part of the problem is that few new doctors want to be GP's and instead want to become specialists where the real money is. The only way GP's can survive anymore is to practice out of walk-ins. Walk-ins have a limit of 1 issue per visit. I always make an appointment and the 1 issue rule doesn't exist. I usually have to wait past my appointment time if the walk-in is busy but so what. If my GP is running his butt off I get out of his hair as soon as I can, if he's got time on a slower day he goes out of his way to spend more time with me.

My previous GP had his own office and when he was retiring he couldn't even give his practice away and spent the last year in a walk-in. He told me it was the only way he could keep from abandoning his patients.

It's the times we live in.

[OKkayak]

I've had the same family doctor since the early 80s, he's always been first rate, always made time and listened, asked questions. Never had an "in and out" experience. His replacement after he passed has been just as great. Same with walk-ins, I've never had a poor experience with any of them.

[southy]

I've had the same family doctor since the early 80s, he's always been first rate, always made time and listened, asked questions. Never had an "in and out" experience. His replacement after he passed has been just as great. Same with walk-ins, I've never had a poor experience with any of them.

Is he/she taking new patients by chance?

[alanjh595]

It's funny that this topic has come up since my last Dr. visit. I have had the same Dr. for over 30 years and I have never felt rushed. He retired, and found a replacement (no small task), I never felt rushed with him either, in fact, I could consult with him via email.......he too retired.
Now I have this new Dr., met him for the 1st time last week. I came in with my laundry list of complaints/concerns. The best I could get was a 6 month refill on my meds., a req. for annual blood tests, an x-ray order, and a bum's rush out the door.

There was also a note on the back of the exam room door about people either not showing up or not giving 24 hours notice of a cancellation. "Over the last year.......blah, blah.....the Dr. has been unable to bill for one full day......etc."

Geeez, If I totaled up the combined hours that I have had to wait, I bet it would be much more.

[Bsuds]

If we have an excessive wait we should be able to bill our Dr or Dentist.

I think it has been done successfully in the US