Your appointment is only 10 minutes long...

It's interesting reading all the responses. I have to say that I have physicians that keep me waiting who fall into both categories. My OB/GYN frequently keeps me waiting a long time, but when it's my turn, he'll hear me out and spend as much time as I need. I adore him!

The opthalmologists I've seen with my kids (3 different ones) book several kids for every time slot but spend next to no time with each patient (I've talked to friends who have the same experience) and then turn around and say to come back in six weeks. It's infuriating!

I have seen plenty of NPs and they are excellent for many things. I saw one in the hospital when I broke my foot for them to wrap until I saw an orthopedist, had one presribe meds for bronchitis, etc. They were professional, got the job done, and I received the help I needed. That's what they are there for.

well now i know why i felt like my PCP was rushing thru my last appt.

what bothers me about this is that if a PCP/NP won't listen to the patient's "list", how can they properly diagnose anything?

nonmedical people are really ignorant at times and may not realize what is trivial and important.

so if you dont even listen to their list (and maybe say...ok lets take care of the pertinent problem then work on the rest on your f/u) then what happens if you miss a diagnosis and the patient has cancer or something? your butt would be toast, no?

To anyone afraid that health care rationing is coming, guess what? It's already here. Perfect example.

It's not about NPs vs. MDs, it's not about caring -- it's about a provider being compensated for his or her time. If that means scheduling 4, 6, or more patients an hour to make revenue goals, that's what's going to happen. And you can always count on work-ins -- we try to limit them but if an unscheduled pt or scheduled pt's spouse walks in complaining of chest pain, we can't very well turn them away.

Add the fact that my clinical time is limited by the need to spend hours on the phone getting preauths for procedures and medication, or trying to give recaps by phone to family members who are concerned about what transpired at the appointment but not concerned enough come along.

Some providers and practices handle it better than others, but unless you are blessed with the resources to pay for concierge care (I am not), this is the system we have. Most of us are doing our best.

Sometimes it is worth writing in and maybe not actually making a complaint but an observation on how it came across. It may be that the NP was under a lot of stress that you didn't see and didn't mean to come across like she did.

Gosh, I'd be glad if my doc spent 10 mins with me! Sometimes I get hustled out of there is 5 min, after sitting in the lobby for 1 1/2 hrs!

I finally changed docs but it's not much better at the her office too! But usually know what I want and that's fine with me.

I think the docs/NPs need to allow a bit more time for each appointment. For alot of people, its very taxing to get to an appt so its very crucial to address all problems while at this appointment. I have patients (I am home health now) who are totally homebound and some need ambulance transport just to get to an appt. These people should be allotted the time needed to address their health problems. I dont think 10 minutes is long enough for much of anything to get accomplished. The nurse has to take vitals, etc. 10 minutes is just too rushed. Patients shouldnt be treated like an assembly line....."NEXT!"
Now on the other hand, I agree that time is crucial. I went to the doc the other day, sat for 2 hours, had to leave because I had another patient I had to see for the day. The secretary agreed to call me when it was time for me to be seen by the MD. Well, long story short, I didnt get seen because the doc was 4 hours behind schedule. He is the kindest-hearted MD I know. He tries to be there for everyone and gives each patient as much time as they need for EVERY health concern. But everyone respects him and wants him so most just deal with the wait time. Every patient has his personal cellphone number. But there needs to be a limit.
I was upset because I had rescheduled all my patients around this appointment and I still didnt get to be seen. Im too busy taking care of others and I dont have time to take care of myself.
That NP who told your mom this is very disrespectful. She could have said it a bit more tactfully.

And also, if a patient doesnt have the time to list all their complaints, how can any MD properly diagnose. Some disease processes present with multiple symptoms and unless the MD knows all of them, he/she can not possibly diagnose accurately.

And after I have spent 2 hours plus getting that precious RQI and the pt decides not to even show up or answer our calls to reschedule and I have to spend an addition 7 dollars to send a certified letter to said non-compliant pt because they refuse to answer or return my call, only to have them show up in 2-4 weeks with the same problem!!!