Agoraphobics Moving Forward Support Group

I have seen a new psychaitrist about 4 times now and each time I've had to wait several weeks in between appointments which I know is typical but there always seems to be a scheduling problem like one time she was sick which I understood but then they made me wait a few weeks before I could get in again (I don't rem the exact length of extra days of waiting but it seemed ridiculous because it wasn't me who took the day off)

I had an appointment to follow up about my medicine she prescribed to me this Friday and they called me today (after having this appointment for a month now when I had my last appointment!!!) to say "oh she's on summer hours now so we'll have to reschedule you.....now it looks like the end of July is when she could see you next"

This is a new medicine to me and with all the schedule changes that are more than a few days, it's making me frustrated like I feel like I need to start the whole look for a new psychaitrist again routine.

I don't mind waiting a few days but a few weeks??? That doesn't seem professional to me. I do "like" her as a doctor= warm/friendly/good listener it's her scheduling that has been the problem. They did say they can have me on a cancelation list if something comes up but as of right now instead of seeing me in the "3-4 weeks" like she told me last appointment to schedule for, they now have me down for 6 weeks from when I saw her!

Thoughts?

Well I think that you should call and tell them that you want to be on a regular schedule with seeing the Doctor.

I would ask for the Doctor herself to call you and you can talk to her voice to voice.

I would also ask why is it that she is seeing her other patients and not you?

That is not fair to you and how are you supposed to establish a relationship with the Doctor with so much time in between appointments.

If she does not have the time to make a commitment to see you as a patient then she needs to be honest and tell you that.

But it is not fair to you to keep you like on stand by to see her.

There should be dates and appointments that are made in advance for you.

If something happens and she cannot make that appointment then she needs to see you as soon as possible.

Even if that means she needs to change her schedule to accommodate you.

That is just wrong. I would definitely say something to her as soon as possible.

Totally. I told the receptionist today that I am frustrated with there always being a scheduling problem on their part when I do make the appointments far in advance like this week's. I will see what they say but I do not find it professional to have me wait a few more weeks when sh orig told me 3-4 weeks for follow ups. I'm annoyed! I will see what she says on a voicemail. My husband was not happy to hear about the schedule change again either. I just may see if I can find someone else sooner to monitor "me" ...I said I don't want to be taking some medicine if you think I may be better off with something else or a different dose, etc and have those weeks go by before you tell me that etc in a voicemail to her.

I am proud of myself for being assertive.

Tennis- I definitly would call them back and say that you would really appreciate if the dr would call you ASAP. Also explain to the front desk that you are calling based on your medication and it not helping you. When they call you back explain to her/him that the medicine is not working and that this rescheduling is not acceptable for a few weeks. That you would like to be seen sooner so you can get your meds corrected. That is very unprofessional but you need to get your meds corrected end of story.

I would tell them that you need to see the Doctor this week or by next Friday at the absolute latest considering this is a Holiday week with 1 day less. I would absolutely be assertive. That is not fair to you and she has a responsibility as a Doctor to follow thru and follow up with you especially since you are on a Medication!! Don't let her off the hook so easily. I would at least see her one more time before I made a decision.

But that is just me. I would want to make it very clear how I felt.

Yeah I am waiting for her to return my call from earlier...

Be very clear and assertive!! Tell them it is not acceptable or fair to do to you and they need to figure out something so you can see the Doctor this week!!! It is VERY important! You are on a medication and it needs adjusting. Tell them THIS WEEK!

I will see what she has to say...she better call me today! If not I will start looking again tomorrow online for someone new who I can get in to see and have to go through the whole transfer my notes etc or whatever they'd have to do but I don't want to wait a few more weeks based on THEIR ERROR "oh she's on summer scheduling hours now so she won't be in this Friday"!

Tennis, They need to adjust the schedule to see you!

Tell them whatever they need to do to figure it out because this is not fair to you and you expect to be able to see her this week or by the end of next week at the very latest. The cannot just string you along.

That is not only wrong it is unethical.

I told the receptionist I've never had a provider with so many schedule issues and have to wait for weeks based on their schedule changes. I never canceled an appt with her based on me.