Why Pediatricians are Always Running Late
Posted by Dr. Cason on Thursday, August 7th, 2008
It’s the kids! They are so unpredictable! Karma I know was coming back to bite me today. Since I couldn’t be there to watch my youngest get his 7 stitches I guess I need to be there to help another two year old with her sutures. Yep right in the middle of a busy but on time morning, in walked a laceration and the entire clinic screeched to a grinding halt.
Poor baby. We wrestled with her fearful self and managed to throw in three sutures. She’s going to be fine.
All in all I ran nearly two hours behind. I know. I felt guilty. I’m so sorry. The last patient- no kidding – waited over two hours for an earache and I found nothing on exam. I peered and poked took a good history and then apologized. Sorry, nothing.
I hate running late. I get all jittery and worn out.
So I’m off to an early bedtime. Unless I watch Moonstruck-which I recorded on my DVR. Nah maybe I’ll just read a bit. Tomorrow I shall show the black and white photo. I can’t help it. I really love the contrast!
Tell me do you forgive us? Us chronically late docs?
Filed in Everything Medicine,My Life | 16 responses so far
Kathleenon 07 Aug 2008 at 12:21 am 1What cannot be helped, cannot be helped Sheila. The fact is, you were there for this child who really needed a loving pediatrician at the time, and you knew what the child was going through after Jakey’s experience.
Hope Jakey is feeling better. You should have shown this child Jackey’s whooper!
Awesome Momon 07 Aug 2008 at 12:25 am 2Well it really depends. Evan was seeing a GI doc that I had to wait three hours (which really screwed up his already tenuous eating schedule) for just to have him adjust the reflux medications with barely a glance at Evan. I was looking for something a lot more substantial and helpful since Evan was being tube fed and struggling to take anything by mouth.
If it is more occasional and I have a good relationship with the doctor I am a lot more forgiving of lateness. I was especially forgiving of my OB since he really had no control over when women would have babies.
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Queen Mommyon 07 Aug 2008 at 12:27 am 3Ah, the working mom syndrome. Luckily I can walk out at 5. I feel for you and I feel for your patients. It is a drag but most of us understand!
Queen Mommys last blog post..Almost
Nikkion 07 Aug 2008 at 1:11 am 4I don’t mind at all if the Doctor is behind, even if it is by two hours. It means that either someone REALLY needed them and that one day could be me that takes up a ridiculous amount of the Doctor’s time. I wouldn’t want to be brushed off because of the clock if it were me so I totally understand… however if that is the case then instead of the famous “we are a little bit behind” comment from the receptionist when your really 2 hours behind let people know a realistic time that way if they need to reschedule or go grab lunch and come back then that is an option.
Nikkis last blog post..Grams
Kylaon 07 Aug 2008 at 2:03 am 5I think most parents should understand that those things happen. I’ve been the parent of the kid who had to skip up in line because she was puking all over the waiting room…but I’ve also been the parent who had to wait a couple hours with a feverish kiddo. As long as I feel like the doctor is giving us proper attention and care once we get into the room with him or her, I don’t mind the wait.
Kylas last blog post..So, tell me about 25.
White Hot Magikon 07 Aug 2008 at 3:21 am 6You know my last two doctors were the type that usually found a way to work you in when needed. I appreciated that and tried to be patient when I had an appointment. I wonder if they scheduled in some “flex” time because it was never that awful. However there have been a few times I have been to places that seemed ridiculously long waits though.
White Hot Magiks last blog post..Pigs, puppies and tiaras, oh my!
Mutha Maeon 07 Aug 2008 at 5:00 am 7That’s why I book the dr’s first appt of the day, if I can. And yes, I forgive for them running late. Each patient is unique and there can’t be a set number of minutes for each problem.
Mutha Maes last blog post..The LA TV Festival
Dr. Casonon 07 Aug 2008 at 5:21 am 8Kathleen- Thank you that is exactly what I kept telling myself.
Awesome Mom- You’re right if you’re going to spend that much time waiting then you better hope that you get your needs addressed when you get in there!
Queen- It’s a little easier now that I can take the kids to work with me. Well at least the older two.
Nikki- You’re right! I knew one old time pediatrician who used to have to run to C-sections in the middle of clinic. He walked out the front door not the back. As he went he would apologize and invite anyone to reschedule. And you know what? They loved him so much they waited. He would still be seeing patients at 8:00 pm at night!
White Hot- The flex time is usually lunch time. We catch up then and I skip food. I had one family apologize for being a walk-in and ask if I had gone and taken lunch first. Of course I hadn’t I was just running late!
Mutha Mae- First appointment. That’s the key!!- Ohh btw I’m running over to your blog now. Did you get the call?
Barbara Swaffordon 07 Aug 2008 at 10:09 am 9Hi Dr. Cason,
It’s understandable when doctors run late, that’s why I prefer the first appointment of the day. Hopefully nothing will happen before I get there.
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..Interview With Lorelle VanFossen – Part 8 – The Future of Blogging
tiffon 07 Aug 2008 at 2:21 pm 10Of course it’s forgiven, it is the sign of a good doctor.
Nikkion 07 Aug 2008 at 2:42 pm 11The first appointment is fine except that IT’S SO DAMN EARLY! I chose to book the first appointment after lunch… that’s where it’s at!
Nikkis last blog post..Grams
Dr. Casonon 07 Aug 2008 at 9:46 pm 12Moon- I agree forced relaxation is one of my favorite things but I reckon unless your baby is asleep then it’s probably too long for the kids to wait!
Barbara- This is true unless we have to round before clinic. When that was the case I often ran late. Ugh!
tiff- Thanks tiff.
Nikki- Oh no! I work morning clinic only! But I might make an exception for you and Danger. Either that or I’ll run so late that if you show up for the afternoon clinic chances are I’ll still be there.
AxeCityon 07 Aug 2008 at 10:30 pm 13I think you shouldn’t feel guilty, your care must have been showing to your patient as it really shows right here in your words.
It’s tough that sometimes not all parties can be easily satisfied.
Nikkion 08 Aug 2008 at 4:40 am 14Well I might be a little bias but I think that Danger is so damn wonderful that Doctors should be lining up to see her. I should be taking applications
Sadly it doesn’t seem to work that way!
P.S. I think she might be teething(her gum has a big white lump on it, she is drooling non stop and she seems mostly just pissed off all of the time) but she is not even 3 months yet. Is that normal?? I would ask my doctor but the earliest apt I can get is Sept 10th!
Nikkis last blog post..Finding My Religion
Dr. Casonon 08 Aug 2008 at 5:35 am 15AxeCity- Thank you for the kind words.
Nikki- Could be teething. Some are even born with teeth. I notice most kids start teething around 4 months but I won’t say she isn’t teething now. Last time I acted all miss smarty pants and told a patient her 3 month old baby wasn’t teething, out popped a tooth the following week.
Nikkion 08 Aug 2008 at 6:21 am 16I was secretly hoping that she wouldn’t get any teeth. My boobs are not going to be happy!
Nikkis last blog post..Finding My Religion