Comments on: Why is it so difficult to get an appointment with your doctor? http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/07/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-get-an-appointment-with-your-doctor.html Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:00:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: 10 minutes!? Seriously? « Dr. Ottematichttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/07/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-get-an-appointment-with-your-doctor.html#comment-107419 10 minutes!? Seriously? « Dr. Ottematic Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:57:27 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=38002#comment-107419 [...] see all of our patients, do the adequate preventative care/screening, diagnostic workup, etc. [see KevinMD's nice summary]. 36 minutes. That’s how much time each patient of a primary care physician (i.e. family [...] [...] see all of our patients, do the adequate preventative care/screening, diagnostic workup, etc. [see KevinMD's nice summary]. 36 minutes. That’s how much time each patient of a primary care physician (i.e. family [...]

]]> By: ninguemhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/07/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-get-an-appointment-with-your-doctor.html#comment-107359 ninguem Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:36:36 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=38002#comment-107359 You can get into my office same day, two days. Assuming I'm not away or something. Thing is, it's my own solo practice. If you're solo with a low overhead, you don't need to run a patient mill.I've had new patient phone calls, where the receptionist says "come on down". Patient is shocked to hear they can some in that day. I've got an opening, why not. Thing is, they weren't prepared to just show up, they thought they would have to wait a week or so.Or they can go to the local Urgent Care. Their fee schedule is, literally, twice mine for the same service. I've seen it myself. You can get into my office same day, two days. Assuming I’m not away or something. Thing is, it’s my own solo practice. If you’re solo with a low overhead, you don’t need to run a patient mill.

I’ve had new patient phone calls, where the receptionist says “come on down”. Patient is shocked to hear they can some in that day. I’ve got an opening, why not. Thing is, they weren’t prepared to just show up, they thought they would have to wait a week or so.

Or they can go to the local Urgent Care. Their fee schedule is, literally, twice mine for the same service. I’ve seen it myself.

]]> By: Maryahttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/07/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-get-an-appointment-with-your-doctor.html#comment-103816 Marya Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:40:54 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=38002#comment-103816 The math does not add up for me. The 2,500 average panel is just a number. There has never been any data to convince me that an annual physical is an evidence-based necessity, so that can be eliminated right there. If we could teach patients that not every sore throat requires a MD visit, that would alleviate a whole lot of unnecessary care as well. Finally, we as physicians tend to overdo the follow-up (especially when insurance is "good"). So, on every panel there should be a fairly manageable number of patients that requires appointments on any given day, opening the door to those with real urgent medical needs. I know this is potential blasphemy,but if the models are redone with this in mind, perhaps we do not have a shortage of either primary or specialty care? The math does not add up for me. The 2,500 average panel is just a number. There has never been any data to convince me that an annual physical is an evidence-based necessity, so that can be eliminated right there. If we could teach patients that not every sore throat requires a MD visit, that would alleviate a whole lot of unnecessary care as well. Finally, we as physicians tend to overdo the follow-up (especially when insurance is “good”). So, on every panel there should be a fairly manageable number of patients that requires appointments on any given day, opening the door to those with real urgent medical needs. I know this is potential blasphemy,but if the models are redone with this in mind, perhaps we do not have a shortage of either primary or specialty care?

]]> By: Khttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/07/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-get-an-appointment-with-your-doctor.html#comment-103653 K Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:04:24 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=38002#comment-103653 Like Dr. Grumpy, it takes 1-2 weeks to get into see my specialist-sooner if it's urgent. He also does some of my primary care, those things that my PCP overlooks. He knows I am a serious athlete and considers that when making recommendationsIt takes 2 months to get an appointment with my PCP-not a chance if it's urgent. She doesn't have time to personalize my care. Like Dr. Grumpy, it takes 1-2 weeks to get into see my specialist-sooner if it’s urgent. He also does some of my primary care, those things that my PCP overlooks. He knows I am a serious athlete and considers that when making recommendations

It takes 2 months to get an appointment with my PCP-not a chance if it’s urgent. She doesn’t have time to personalize my care.

]]> By: jennifer dhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/07/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-get-an-appointment-with-your-doctor.html#comment-103647 jennifer d Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:52:02 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=38002#comment-103647 I don't necessarily think it is impossible to get good care. My doctor talks about crafts, my health and sees me every 6 months. I also get blood tests twice a year. I don’t necessarily think it is impossible to get good care. My doctor talks about crafts, my health and sees me every 6 months. I also get blood tests twice a year.

]]> By: Dr. Grumpyhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/07/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-get-an-appointment-with-your-doctor.html#comment-103643 Dr. Grumpy Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:35:49 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=38002#comment-103643 It's currently 1-2 weeks to get in to see me. Over the last 10 years this has varied from 1 day to 4 weeks. If you can't wait to see me, call another neurologist. I'm not offended.I refuse to double book or use "physican extenders". If you can't take the time to see your own patients, do something else for a living.I could make more money by doing the above things. But I believe that healthcare quality is more important than quantity. It’s currently 1-2 weeks to get in to see me. Over the last 10 years this has varied from 1 day to 4 weeks. If you can’t wait to see me, call another neurologist. I’m not offended.

I refuse to double book or use “physican extenders”. If you can’t take the time to see your own patients, do something else for a living.

I could make more money by doing the above things. But I believe that healthcare quality is more important than quantity.

]]> By: Ramonhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/07/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-get-an-appointment-with-your-doctor.html#comment-103618 Ramon Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:58:42 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=38002#comment-103618 I understand this article is for American readers, but i must tell you this relays into uk healthcare also. the way the system works here is just awful really needs improvement I understand this article is for American readers, but i must tell you this relays into uk healthcare also. the way the system works here is just awful really needs improvement

]]> By: Steve Parker, M.D.http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/07/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-get-an-appointment-with-your-doctor.html#comment-103321 Steve Parker, M.D. Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:23:49 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=38002#comment-103321 "Providing good health care is physically impossible."Gee, I hope there aren't any trial lawyers reading this.But I'm sure there are. That's one reason I left office practice. “Providing good health care is physically impossible.”

Gee, I hope there aren’t any trial lawyers reading this.

But I’m sure there are. That’s one reason I left office practice.

]]> By: Web Media Daily – July 6, 2009 | Reinventing Yourself...http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/07/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-get-an-appointment-with-your-doctor.html#comment-103313 Web Media Daily – July 6, 2009 | Reinventing Yourself... Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:29:51 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=38002#comment-103313 [...] Why is it so difficult to get an appointment with your doctor?…   Kevin, M.D. [...] [...] Why is it so difficult to get an appointment with your doctor?…   Kevin, M.D. [...]

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