Explain Why There Is A Reasonable Amount Of Time To Wait In A Physician Office

What IS a reasonable amount of time to wait in a physicians office? In researching this assignment I have discovered there is no specific time that is considered a reasonable wait time. The reason why there is no consensus is possibly the reason some physicians try to have at least three to five patients scheduled into one appointment time making a wait inevitable. Follow the money! The more patients scheduled equals more revenue from Medicare/Medicaid and other insurances. Most patients and front office staff feel that 15 minutes should be the norm, where in reality depending what type of physician you are seeing up to an hour may be the norm.

Some internists claim that they seem to always be running late is that a patient may be scheduled for one problem but in fact have six others the physician must attend to also. Giving each patient as much time as they need. A plastic surgeon may claim that she runs late because certain injuries (sports) cannot wait to be repaired and the patient needs to be seen in an emergent situation causing her to be late in the office. As a family physician many find that they are kept busy with voicemail, text messages, email, etc... In

Ease him into agreeing to screen more carefully what each appointment is for and schedule a specific time appropriate to need. Having a PA or NP in the office will help ease the load for the physician and free up the wait time when he/she is unable due to an emergent situation to physically be in the office or if an appointment takes longer than expected. Show your provider that you have done a time-study of the type of patients he/she sees and if they are scheduled according to problem/reason it will free up at least 10 – 15 minutes in his/her day giving lee way instead of having to rush with an