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You left out social conditioning and I don't think that doctors think they are god, we do that ourselves.

I agree with you. But I would add from personal experience (not here) that their staff frequently thinks they're God and treats the patients/customers like cattle.

Which is why in MI we took our healthcare 3 hours away to a teaching hospital.

Based on what you just said happens in MI, it seems to be about the same everywhere. Which suggests it's a natural, unavoidable consequence of operating a private medical practice where unpredictable things happen to upset scheduling.

I think the only time it doesn't happen is when a doctor sets up a new practice and doesn't yet have a lot of patients. Or else a patient gets lucky and shows up on a day when nothing unusual happens to upset the doctor's schedule. So then the patient goes around telling others that his doctor doesn't overbook, when actually it was just the luck of the draw.

Well I've been awful darn lucky the last two years with the two doctors and one dentist I've been seeing, plus the PT.

Of practices in MI--one local and four at U of M (primary, gastro, and two others related to a one-timeillness)--all of whom have been in business for decades, only one overbooked, the local one. Which is why I switched.

So I disagree with you. I've had plenty of experience with well-established practices.

I agree with you! You've been awful darn lucky the last two years with your two doctors and one dentist. Two years may not represent a lot of appointments, So it could very well have been luck.

With me it's been a mixed bag. In the beginning I didn't have to wait at all. Then sometimes I waited 5, 10 or 15 minutes. On two occasions I waited one hour. That was for my primary doctor. I'm not about to dump a doctor because of two unfortunate episodes. Another doctor would likely be the same and I'd be hopscotching around from doctor to doctor, to prove what? How important I am?

The dentist I go to now in The Villages hasn't been a problem, at least so far. The previous dentist did keep me waiting a few times. The difference may be because of the cost. Who knows? The dentist where I waited the most had discounted rates, even though the hygienist was very good in my opinion. (When she left, I left.)

Think About It
 

Why will people here wait often times an hour or hours to eat at a particular restaurant but are not willing to wait for something as important as their health? Makes no sense to me.

As for traveling several miles away to see a doctor because you don't have to wait or wait as long, at least when you are waiting here you are not spending "valuable time" on the road getting there, to say nothing of the gas getting there and back. And, if you get caught in traffic and are late either direction..........

Just sayin'.

Because:

there's a bar and alcohol at the restaurants, but doctor's offices don't have that.

Some thoughtful comments! I, personally, would rather wait a while for a particular doctor I think is competent then get in quickly with a doctor I wasn't familiar with. Doctors sometimes get behind due to situations out of their control. I don't mind waiting an hour or so if there is a good reason. The contractor, doctor, dentist, etc., who is very busy is often in high demand for a reason. They are good! Who am I to expect people to jump when I walk in. I think it is another example of the demanding attitude that begins to creep in as we age. Let's face it we're retired. What is the big deal, especially if you are pleased with your care. Relax, bring a book, do some reading, maybe some knitting. Just don't just stare at the wall and grind your teeth because a doctor gets behind and sees you an hour after you were scheduled..

I once had an appointment for an ear doctor (about 1970) that I picked out of a phone book after experiencing very bad hearing following a shooting experience where I forgot to wear hearing protection. Setting in the waiting room I noticed I was the only one there and they took me right away, (15 minutes early). When in the examining room I notice all his equipment which is usually stainless steel was painted over with what looked liked a paint brush in green paint. The doctor took a probe out of a container and looked into my ear then put it back into the same container with all the other probes. I couldn't wait to get out of there.
Sometimes it's nice to know your doctor is busy because he is good.