I don’t know about you, but I quit showing up on time for doctor’s appointments years ago. I am ALWAYS on time, or better yet, early. As I tell my students, in the business world, 15 minutes early is the new “on time”. But when I was thrust into the cancer arena which required spending more time in waiting rooms than I spend asleep (or so it seemed), I began to chafe at the fact that I was NEVER talking to a doctor when my appointment time came around. Just yesterday, I spent 2 1/2 hours in a waiting room, to then spend 12 minutes updating a doctor about my condition (no change), my diet (no change) my side effects (none), and to have my vitals taken (no change). But every now and then, I am surprised and heartened. I went to an initial consultation for a root canal (and that’s always something fun to do!), and I was early (thank heavens…old habits die hard). I was sitting in the waiting room, and a man came in for an appointment. I actually heard the receptionist say “I’m sorry, Mr. Smith, but our appointments are scheduled so that our patients do not have to wait more than 5 minutes to be seen. You were 22 minutes late, so I’ll have to ask you to reschedule.” I about fell over. I love that doctor. I love that receptionist. I love the fact that I can be on time/early and it will be rewarded. If you have anything to do with health care, I challenge you to do the same thing for your patients!
