Being a Good Patient at the Doctor's Office

July 29, 2005

Female doctor speccing with female patience in office I work in a doctor's office and I see some big time-wasters caused by patients that I would like to pass on to you.

Patients hate when they have to wait for the doctor, so please, please be on time to your appointment. Even 5 minutes late causes a big ripple on down the line.
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If you can't keep your appointment, call the office as soon as possible to cancel it.
Don't assume that just because the doctor is smiling and laughing, he doesn't have more patients. He or she usually does.
Have all your questions and information written down so you will be ready when the doctor comes in. Bringing someone with you can also help.
When you call the doctor's office, please remember that he or she is seeing people in the office. If the doctor doesn't call back within the hour, please don't call the office back. They will call you back.
Please don't use your cell phone when in the doctor office. It is very annoying to the other people in the waiting room. Go outside or even into the hallway if you have to be on the phone.
If the nurse asks you to get on the scale, assume it is because the doctor has told her to put you on the scale.
If your baby has a stinky diaper, ask for a plastic bag to dispose it in. Do not put the diaper in the trash can - either take it with you or ask the nurse to dispose of it outside.
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Please don't bring children and then expect the office staff to babysit while you are with the doctor. We are working, not there to babysit.
Finally, please be friendly. I am a person and so is the doctor. I love my job and most of the patients. But there are some patients that are just plain rude.

By Sandy

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By SNIGDIBBLY (Guest Post)

July 30, 20050 found this helpful

Top Comment

1. Please ask the doctor and his staff not to over book his calendar. Not everyone requires 15 minutes or less.

2. Please ask all the staff at the clinic to address their patients in a professional manner as mr. Or mrs. Doe. Please do not use first names unless you are a personal friend who has known the patient since kindergarden.

3. Please read the patient notes in your office files before seeing the patient to refresh your memory and avoid unnecessary questions and this will cut out a lot of time during the office interview period.

4. Treat patients with dignity and respect and don't rush them because the calendar is over booked - the doctor patient relationship is interpersonal as well as professional. Trust is the most important factor in this relationship.

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kerly87
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 129 Feedbacks

August 3, 20120 found this helpful

Top Comment

I agree with this article. So, I do not mean to sound bad, but can we add a few things for staff, too?When a patient enters the office and approaches the window to sign in, or to ask a question, please do not ignore us. Do not continue to talk to your coworkers about what you did/had for dinner/went to/etc.

If you want a patient to be NPO, please tell us when we make the appointment. Please make sure there are such items as toilet paper, soap, and paper towels in the restroom. Especially if you want a urine sample.

Please don't call patients Honey/Baby/Toots, etc. If you cannot recall my name Ma'am would be more respectable.

Please do not chomp on gum while taking my blood pressure, etc.

So many patients have respiratory problems. Please do not spray so much strong cologne on.

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susan
Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 472 Feedbacks

August 4, 20121 found this helpful

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While lots can be done by both sides to make life easier for everyone, remember, it is a medical facility. There will be routine, unexpected medical emergencies and problems with equipment. Rushing through can cause mistakes to be made and ultimately a life. Not all emergencies actually look like emergencies, so individuals will go to the doctor's office rather than a hospital, and it is imperative that they be dealt with.

And yes, emergencies happen in offices where you wouldn't expect them to, procedures can take more time than they normally would, complications turn up. It is impossible to account for everything.

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Being a Good Patient at the Doctor's Office

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