1)
“I don’t have my insurance card.” Why don’t you have this essential piece of
plastic that you need to see a qualified physician or specialist? There is way too much red tape to go through
NOT to have this. We need it… Please
make sure it’s with you or be prepared to pay out of pocket.
2)
“I don’t have my referral.” Trying to see a specialist? Too bad. You will be sent home for this one
until we have it. Most likely you’ll have
to reschedule you’re already existing appointment to a much later date.
3)
“About how long will it be?” We don’t know. We’re not the doctor. Giving you an estimate
on a time, only to have you wait way later, makes us look like schmucks, so don’t
even ask. Sometimes doctors have other things they have to deal with other than
patients. If an important phone call
comes in about a patient, a doctor is legally obligated to take that phone
call. So you may be waiting a half hour
or maybe an hour more. The doctor is
just doing his job. Reschedule.
4)
“I have to go, I have another appointment”. Why are you putting doctors’ appointments
after doctors’ appointments? Because of
number 3, you never know how long you may wait to see the doctor. Don’t schedule another appointment after
another, even if it’s 3 hours apart.
Though, having you reschedule would probably put the doctor back to his
regular schedule
5)
“Well, you’re always backed up, so I decided to
come later”… Just… Don’t. Don’t do
this. This is a reactive response. Though you are free to do what you please,
it’s way better to check-in, and then go down the road for a cup of
coffee. Then come back. This is the only exception to number 3, find
out how long it will be for you to be seen the moment you check-in.
6)
“Do you know why I am here?” No. And quite frankly, it isn’t my job to
know. It’s my job to make sure I provide
you with the proper preliminary exams.
Having you spout out everything that is ailing you is a waste of your
breath, being sent forth to deaf ears.
Don’t think it’s rude when we interrupt you in order to do our jobs, and
be prepared to say that same exact shpeal to the doctor, again.
7)
“I don’t
know my Social Security Number”. You
need to know this. Find your social
security card, and look it up, or go wait a long ass time at the SS office and
get a new one. To sit here and wait for
you to call your spouse or significant other just wastes time. Know it!
8)
“Are you trained to do this?” Yes. Yes we are.
9)
“Why did that person go ahead of me? I was here
first!” Though a very compelling
question to ask, Do not ask this question.
Depending on the type of office it is, it may be a medical
emergency. Medical emergencies will
always take priority over your annual visit, any day of the week. If you see someone holding their eye in
terror, or something to that nature, don’t be prude. Let them go ahead of you.
10)
“Is the Doctor going to be in today?” For people who ask this, I suggest you go
outside, look at the sign in the front of the building, read “Dr.So&so’s
Office”, then, promptly go back inside.
A good reason why so many people ask this is because of
overbooking. It is more likely a fact
that doctor’s will put 2 or even 3 people in the same time slot, basically
because multi-tasking is a part of the equation in a doctor’s examination. This also applies to number 9. If you asked for the first appointment of the
day, and you were not the first person to be taken in, it is because another
person who had the same appointment time beat you to the punch. This will make you want to ask Number 9… For
the love of science, don’t.
