How much time does your doctor spend with you?

Contributor: Wicked Wahine Wicked Wahine
Wicked Wahine
Related to: 
I'm talking about your primary care physician, not a specialist. After reading a few articles and talking with some of my friends, it seems the average is about 10 minutes at bigger clinics. and that doesn't count the waiting time.

Not counting waiting room time, ER or unscheduled visits
06/13/2013
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Contributor: surreptitious surreptitious
Without counting the waiting time, I'd say my doctor spends about 5 minutes per issue. Since I loathe going to the doctor's office, I generally have more than one issue by the time that I get there, but this last time I went, I got a knee examination, a script for physio, an X-ray and a surgical consult all in less than ten minutes. Prescription renewals at my family doctor take about a minute. The nurse who takes my info at the beginning probably only spent two or three minutes assessing me. He's my family doctor, and though he's working from a larger office now, there's no real difference in wait times than there would have been at his old one-man office.

I always know exactly what I'm going to say when I go to see him, though (and can usually tell him what I have), so I imagine that it would take a lot longer if I didn't walk in and say "I have strep throat, these are my symptoms, please send a swab to the lab." My mum did the same for me when I was a kid, so that's just how I deal with doctors. He takes it very well, but there are some doctors who don't like being "told." Those ones usually make much longer examinations, probably just to piss me off.

I wind up at the doctor's at least four or five times a year for different reasons, though, so I don't mess around. Usually about two visits per year are for bronchitis/a chest infection. I won't go until I've waited at least two weeks to see if those resolve themselves, though, so they're usually pretty bad by the time someone forces me to go. I know that that's nothing compared to some who take weekly trips to the doc, but it's often enough that I am very glad to live in Canada.
06/13/2013
Contributor: PropertyOfPotter PropertyOfPotter
She's horrible and I don't like her at all. No matter what my issue is, she acts like she instantly knows everything (after looking it up on her phone) and that she knows ME..which she doesn't. The MOST time she's spend on me was 10 minutes and she's been my primary care provider for three years now.
06/13/2013
Contributor: melissa1973 melissa1973
7 minutes. There is actually a math equation for the time that they spend. They have to take the number of patients and the time that they are open so on and so forth and it comes out to 7 minutes. Flippin algebra, I had that question 2 years ago in an actual algebra class.
06/13/2013
Contributor: Ms. N Ms. N
My doctor is below average...he schedules appointments five minutes apart. It works alright for me though, as we have a well-established plan for treatment of my chronic illnesses. I'd say he spends two minutes checking my ears, throat, and lungs, and writing my scripts, and the other 3 minutes we spend talking about our families and mutual friends.
06/13/2013
Contributor: *Camoprincess* *Camoprincess*
Depends on what I am going in for anywhere between 5-15 minutes or more. Last time I want to say it was close to 20 minutes since it had been 6 months since the last time I was in there.
06/13/2013
Contributor: Pandwhora Pandwhora
I don't have a doctor. I must go to outpatients (ER) whenever I need medical treatment.
06/13/2013
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
I see my primary care doctor about every 5-7 years. It takes him about 5 minutes to go over the blood and urine test results, tell me I should lose weight, then move on.

I also so a doctor for my testosterone cream - the guy charges a fortune and spends 90% of the time trying to sell me new things like, body mass measurements, nutraceuticals, diet plans, etc. I don't buy any of it. The visit takes 5 minutes, the sales pitch another 20 minutes!
06/14/2013
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by Wicked Wahine
I'm talking about your primary care physician, not a specialist. After reading a few articles and talking with some of my friends, it seems the average is about 10 minutes at bigger clinics. and that doesn't count the waiting time. ... more
I don't have a primary care physician and really don't want one. Lol. I only go if necessary. Tends to happen that I end up with more harm than good every time I do go. I just try to keep a good eye on myself and be as educated as possible and know my options for prevention and treatment.

Yadda Yadda. Lol. The only doctor I see anymore is an OB/GYN & my newest one I've been seeing for a year & I actually really like her! She does spend a lot of time with me when I visit -- which is pretty often. She's careful and talks to me about everything and is easy to talk to. She also doesn't skimp when she asks questions about my health and symptoms I might have. It's like she really cares & that's a complete first for me. She's great! Except the whole slightly forced vaccine thing, which I don't even blame her for that much. I was disappointed, but know that it's not really her fault. Long story, but she didn't know any better.

Aside from her though, I have no doctor anymore.
06/14/2013
Contributor: bratcat bratcat
Wow i dont even remember, its been so long since i've seen my primary physician. Even so i do tend to ask a lot of questions when it comes to what is going on with my body or any suggested medications. My new physician offers a lot of services such as paps and blood work, so i know my next visit with them probably will be over 10 minutes just because i have a few vaginal issues i plan to discuss with them.
06/14/2013
Contributor: Woman China Woman China
I fired my doctor as my doctor the moment I turned eighteen. It was actually the very first thing I did the morning I woke up and I was legal.

Now, I work at a Medical College, so I can have my pick of choice who I want to see and what for as the majority of them are in my post-grad class. Visits usually last for half a day or more, a meal and drinks.

I rarely ever have to use my contacts at the hospital though unless needing to see a specialist. I was in the other week for my knees and they did the initial testing, and he was baffled. So sent me up for an countless tests and exams and my knees had lots of pictures- they are now so famous!!! And still he had no idea what was going on.

My acupuncturist is probably my favourite doctor I know, he studied in the UK is a medical doctor, a traditional Chinese doctor and is used to my countless never ending questions. I use him for info, he uses me to practice his English. Not a fair trade, I charge more than he does for visit.
06/14/2013
Contributor: Trysexual Trysexual
Quote:
Originally posted by PropertyOfPotter
She's horrible and I don't like her at all. No matter what my issue is, she acts like she instantly knows everything (after looking it up on her phone) and that she knows ME..which she doesn't. The MOST time she's spend on me was 10 ... more
Sounds like my last doctor. Hated her.
06/14/2013
Contributor: joolie joolie
Reading everyone's posts has made me realize how fortunate I am to have the primary care physician that I have. She is part of a group, so if she is not available I can see another dr in the practice. She is my preference, I feel that she actively listens, and is very cautious regarding diagnoses and treatments. I go every three months or so for med check for physical and emotional prescriptions. I never feel rushed, and she is professional,efficient , and objective. Visits vary anywhere between 10-20 minutes, and I rarely have to wait for long.
06/14/2013
Contributor: mpfm mpfm
Wow, I am surprised at these answers. Once a year I have a full physical. That appointment usually lasts at least 45 min and usually an hour. Some of that is spent with the nurse. She does the normal nurse stuff and then goes over my complete medical history. I have a hearing test, lung capacity test, and something else that is escaping me at the moment. The doctor comes in for just a few minutes going through the history the nurse just compliled. Then he leaves and I get ready for the exam. I have the pap smear and breast exam. Get dressed... and then he comes back to discuss blood work and any other concerns I have. I seriously plan on being there for an hour.

If I go in for random stuff during the year, I am usually there for 15 minutes. I never feel rushed. He takes the time to discuss anything I ask. At this moment I am very, very thankful for my doctor.
06/14/2013
Contributor: LoveX LoveX
It just depends on what the issue is, and what needs to be addressed. He's a really good doctor and takes his time though.
06/14/2013
Contributor: bayosgirl bayosgirl
My last real "doctor" was my OB. She was actually very good--spent plenty of time with me, asked if I had any questions, etc. I did decide to switch to the Midwives that recently joined the practice (my OB recommended them as an alternative when I brought up my interest in home birth.) I miss my OB, but I know I have a better chance of getting the natural birth I want with the midwife model of care.
06/15/2013
Contributor: Zombirella Zombirella
Not enough for what they charge, that's for sure. Maybe 10 mins. I spend more time waiting than I actually do being seen. It's so annoying, then they have these outrageous office visit costs for people that don't have insurance.
06/16/2013
Contributor: Wicked Wahine Wicked Wahine
Quote:
Originally posted by Wicked Wahine
I'm talking about your primary care physician, not a specialist. After reading a few articles and talking with some of my friends, it seems the average is about 10 minutes at bigger clinics. and that doesn't count the waiting time. ... more
I am bumping this because we have mostly new people, so we can have new answers, I hope!

I never mentioned my answer. I am always rushed and I frickin' hate it. The one Dr I saw recently for the second time (my regular Dr was out with serious illness) who shared so much info with me that I have never been told before and was just so wonderful, I asked to switch to her. And wouldn't you know it, she said she would have, but she is leaving to go to a new branch they are opening in Saudi Arabia, dammit! She has a 4 yr commitment, son of a bitch! She was the first not to rush me in the least. I don't see a primary care physician and I use my migraine Dr for whatever I can. For that Dr, I usually get to spend 5 minutes with him which sucks, but I put my foot down if there is something I need to talk about and I address it.
06/05/2014
Contributor: Kitten has left the site Kitten has left the site
My doctor maybe spends...5 minutes out of the 20 I'm there for. The nurse normally takes care of me. I don't go often, and even when I do, I get a clean bill of health.

Now when my husband goes, it's about 15-20, but his doctor stays in the room except to get something if they don't have it in the room. His doctor is better than mine! I got an asshat -_-; and we go to the same clinic!
06/08/2014
Contributor: OH&W, Lovebears OH&W, Lovebears
Both our current doctors are great. Spend as much time as needed. Always show up early and expect to wait though. Lately even the waits are fairly short. O.H.'s doctor is also a knock out ! More important she is very concerned with his well being.
06/10/2014
Contributor: Wicked Wahine Wicked Wahine
Quote:
Originally posted by Kitten has left the site
My doctor maybe spends...5 minutes out of the 20 I'm there for. The nurse normally takes care of me. I don't go often, and even when I do, I get a clean bill of health.

Now when my husband goes, it's about 15-20, but his doctor ... more
@ Castielskitten: Can you switch to the same Dr your husband uses? I would if I could, so I suppose you already considered that. I just hate to think you aren't getting the level of care and concern that you could.

@ OH&W: I am glad to hear some people are happy with their care, thanks!
06/12/2014
Contributor: Gymbod69 Gymbod69
Quote:
Originally posted by Wicked Wahine
I'm talking about your primary care physician, not a specialist. After reading a few articles and talking with some of my friends, it seems the average is about 10 minutes at bigger clinics. and that doesn't count the waiting time. ... more
I think before the Obama care thing was implemented, I would get like 30 minutes. Now that millions of uninsured people are given access to free or drastically reduced healthcare, the doctors are spread thin. Millions of new people, and no more docs to provide service.
06/13/2014