Hate taking Mom to her drs. Any advice?

I didn't mean wine in the morning, I meant at the end of a stressful day. :-)

I am annoyed at my Dad because he assumes I will just take him to every appointment. I hate going cuz he always cuts the line and speaks too loud. He has even been known to make inappropriate jokes. I've learned I have to go in with him cuz he won't admit he can't hear the doctor. Once after he broke his collarbone and we left the ER he said, "wow, I am glad I didn't break anything." I said the doc said he DID break his collarbone. You can imagine I totally lose my mind if we have to wait on top of all the regular drama of a doctor visit. But I would rather haul my Dad to the podiatrist than have to cut his toe nails. :-). I also find first morning appointments and a glass of wine (for me) helps!

After reading all the postings above, I am glad my parents have the doctors that they have, and that I have.... very rarely do we sit more than 15 minutes for any one appointment.

As for writing review on the Internet.... be very careful what you write. There have been cases where doctors/dentists have sued. The best way to show you are unhappy with the doctor/dentist is to never make another appointment.

P.S. I think one time I was so annoyed that I told the receptionist I would be sending her a bill for MY waiting time. I never did but it felt good to put the shoe on the other foot.

Again, I think I did that....at this stage of my life I don't remember what I ate for breakfast much less one particular smart remark to a medical receptionist.

I've had a few experiences like that myself and with my father. For myself, I told the receptionist after the appointment that I wouldn't be returning as my time is important and I don't expect to be kept waiting unless there's an emergency. So those doctors learned that they lost a patient.

When I was in college there were specific wait times for teaching assistants and professors, at which time students could leave if the TAs or profs hadn't shown up. I think it was 15 or 10 min. for a TA and 1/2 for a prof.

Given that a doctor has more training than either of them, I allow a little bit more time, but 1/2 hour is generally it.

For the most part though, receptionists will announce, sometimes to all in the waiting room, if there's an emergency. In those situations, I appreciate the courtesy and don't mind as I always have reading material with me.

There was one occasion when we waited so long at the cardiologist's office that it would have compromised our ability to arrive timely at the next appointment. So we got up and walked out and both my father and I said we had already waited x minutes (I think it was close to an hour) and were leaving and wouldn't be returning. The staff really moved to get things going and we saw the electrophysiologist in about 5 minutes.

Some doctors' staff schedule patients close together to maximize the number of patients a doctor can see daily, trying to increase the daily billings to Medicare.

We've also found that making appointments immediately after lunch hour ensures a quick visit. And if you go to someplace in medical building attached to a hospital, you generally have a better chance at getting a decent parking place.

What you can also do if you want to stay with the tardy doctors is make it clear when you make the appointment that you don't expect to be kept waiting and if that happens you will walk out and find another doctor. Then do it.

Alternately, call that morning or a few hours before the appointment and ask if the doctor is running late or if emergencies have arisen. Ask again when you arrive. They'll get the message.

But if you do run into legitimate waits, take your mother someplace special afterwards to lessen the fatigue of sitting around waiting.

On our way out I loudly said we would not be coming back here...I also wanted to leave a message on their website via the contact us link..of course it didn't work when I tried to send it...I left them unfavorable reviews on Google and yelp

I always tell the receptionist to "give me an appointment he can keep" because some MD's are terrible time managers. Retinal specialists seem to be the worst, it's a 4 hour affair and I pack a lunch. We finally stopped going to see him. At 87 it was a waste of time. So if the opthamologist was to recommend surgery, I would hope you tell him where to get off the bus. Ask for the first appointment of the day, sometimes this will be 8:30 AM and other times it will be 1:00 PM, but insist they make it work for YOU.

I guess I am more annoyed by the lack of consideration of these drs.more than anything else...since I have a sitter or daycare for her when I work and am self employed I don't have to worry about taking a vacation day, but at least TELL ME that the dr isn't even in the office or let me decide if a 4 hr wait in your office will fit in my schedule that day and give me the option of coming back with her..

Don't forget, doctors do have emergencies which will cause all their remaining appointments to be backed up..... some day a doctor might have to see your Mom in an emergency, so be glad that option is there.

For myself, I rather sit in the waiting room with my parents and wait, then have to reschedule their appointment, thus taking another afternoon off from work. It's hard enough getting my parents into the car when I come to pick them up... Dad usually is looking for his cap.... then his wallet.... then it is an all out search for his cane... then Mom needs to use the bathroom.... in the mean time I am watching the clock hoping we won't be late.

In the past 5 years, I have used up all my vacation days and all my sick days just for taking Mom to all her doctors, and taking Dad to all of his.... guess I should be lucky they have the same primary doctor and same eye doctor ;)

Your experience is not uncommon, unfortunately. I always try to get the earliest appointment available or the one right after their lunch break. The wait doesn't seem as long. Of course, Mother always wanted a 3pm appointment, just in case something came up in the morning and she needed to be at home...what! I don't make people wait and I certainly do not appreciate having to wait.