I am not sick, there is nothing wrong with me, in fact I just ran a Marathon a couple of weeks ago and posted a personal best. However, since my employer has changed insurance plans, the Doctor with whom I had established a relationship for several years is not in my new directory.
Being proactive and recognizing the fact that I am not getting any younger, I decided to find a new family practice physician and go for a full check up just to be safe.
Unfortunately, in this case I randomly chose this Dr. because her office is fairly close to my workplace and thus mildly convenient for me. I made the appointment about 3 weeks ago for an early morning appointment because I have already had experience with the way Doctors. practice here in Miami.
I arrived promptly 15 minutes before my appointment time and was taken aback to see a full waiting room, my fears were confirmed when I signed in and noticed that there were at least 5 people ahead of me with appointment times before mine who still had not be seen.
The front desk assistant was nice enough, in a Dr's office kind of way and retrieved my insurance card and driver's license and gave me a package of paperwork to fill out.
After completing the paperwork, my appointment time had already come and went. Now I understand having to wait for some time, maybe 30 minutes if the Dr. is running behind because of her busy practice.
But here's the kicker, a full hour after my appointment and before seeing the Dr. I was asked to pay the copay amount, at this point I inquired as to the whereabouts of the Dr., and I was casually informed that she hadn't arrived yet.
REALLY !!!! There were no less than 10 people in that waiting room, most of whom had been waiting for an hour or more, and the Dr. hadn't bothered to show up yet. Again, I understand in the case of a surgeon, or a specialist that is caught in a surgery or procedure at the hospital, and even in those cases a display of respect towards the patients' time is appropriate by informing them of the delay. But to simply have the arrogance to show up late while there are people waiting is unconscionable.
Again, I am fully aware that this is the norm at the family practice level here in Miami, but the fact that others engage in such a disrespectful and unethical behavior is no excuse for everyone else to do it.
I get it ! you can cure people and you went to school for many years to develop your skills and knowledge, both me and my wife come from families of Doctors, but that does not give you the right to treat people like this. We are all equally important and additionally, it is not like we are asking for free service, we pay and pay generously for medical attention so we can and should expect respect and service.
I will never know if this Doctor has the most outstanding relationship with her patients, or if she listens to your concerns and manages your health, or if her bedside manner is award winning. Because I will never meet Dr. Braceras. Someone in any occupation who treats people's time with such disregard will simply not get my business. read more