Why do doctor's offices give appointment times?
Example: Yesterday I had a doctor appointment for 1:30pm. The reminder email the day before said “Please arrive 45 minutes early.”. So really the appointment was for 12:45.
(I arrived about 1:15, which is normal)
Then I sat there until about 1:50, when the nurse called me in. I finally saw the doctor at 2:00.
I understand that things run late, no complaints about that.
Why do they give an appointment time of, for example, 1:30 when they really want you there earlier?
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4 Answers
It’s what’s booked in the software. Just like a flight, there’s a takeoff time, which is different than the departure time and also different than the time you should arrive at the gate for boarding. If you look on your boarding pass though, it has a departure time and an arrival time.
It’s ridiculous that they asked you to arrive 45 minutes early. That would annoy me. I’ve never been asked to arrive 45 minutes early. I find around here, it’s standard for them to ask you to arrive 15 minutes early to “do paperwork” even though often, the paperwork has been done on their portal, which they may send you to days prior to the appointment.
It’s also ridiculous that they hand you five or so pieces of paper to fill out every appointment, when, unless something has changed, it’s just a time waster and paper waster.
I usually arrive at the appointed time. I have enough trouble doing that, let alone early and definitely never 45 minutes early.
I just wanted to add that a friend used to work in a doctor’s office and she said that the doctor saw over 80 patients per day. It’s like a factory. That means if the doctor works 8 hours, he’s seeing 10 patients per hour, which is one every six minutes. It’s probably less than six minutes per patient, because that doctor has to take time out to go to the bathroom, eat something for lunch, and return phone calls. With that schedule, the earlier in his work day that you have your appointment, the bigger chance it will be on time. The later you go, things are probably pushed back and pushed back from last minute stuff happening, then it’s likely the time you actually see him would be later than the appointed time.
The reason they want you there at least somewhat early is:
- in case check-in takes longer than expected (like they’re very busy and/or there’s only 1 receptionist)
- so they can have you ready for the doc when he’s ready for you
- in case they can actually see you early
@jca2 is right – the earlier in the day your appt is the less waiting
I have trouble determining when I’m supposed to be there because I tend to second-guess. So if they tell me my appt is a 2:00, I’m wondering ok, is that actually when I’m supposed to arrive for a 2:15 appt? or do I need to arrive at 1:45 for a 2:00 appt? I try to remember to ask but usually forget.
This got me in trouble recently when I had to wait 45 mins for an MRI. :(
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