Observing the Death of Communication and Courtesy...

[ghettodub]

It's pretty sad really, but I'm sure you all have observed that people today have no communication skills, and have no idea what common courtesy is. I run in to it all the time, whether it be at Safeway, the gas station, Subway, etc. Here's my story from today which made me really think about this. I posted this on Yelp as well. I had an appointment today at an ENT because I've had breathing problems for years, and, well, here was my experience.

So just a little back story, I've had breathing/sinus problems for years, so my general doc gave me information on a couple on ENTs to check out. I tried calling Comprehensive ENT first; my doctor didn't have any experience with them, but she knew how busy the other one was, so suggested I try this one first.

My appointment was for 10.45, and they ask that you arrive ten or so minutes early to fill out paperwork. So I arrived at 10.35, got everything filled out in a few minutes, and then I waited. And I waited. Waited some more. Watched two people that arrived after me go back. Then I thought, ok, what the hell, I'll go ask. I understand that doctor offices generally run a little behind, but it had been twenty minutes at that point, with not even as much as a nod, look, or a "sorry about the wait."

I went up to the front counter and asked "hey, just wanted to get an idea of how much longer it was going to be, as it had been twenty minutes already."

The beastly, horrible, giant rude redhead receptionist (to be referred to as "beasty" for the rest of the story) replied "well, there are two people in front of you"

Me: "So, what does that mean exactly"

Beasty: "Well, there are two people in front of you, one is in there now, and one in front of you"

Me: "Do you have any idea of how much longer it will take?"

Beasty: (with no expression on her face): "No"

Me: "Um, ok, so I don't think this will work today then."

Beasty: "You can reschedule"

Me: "Well, is it going to be like this next time, where I have to wait and you have no idea when I'll actually see the doctor?"

Beasty: "This is pretty standard"

Me: "Ok, cancel my appointment, and refund my co-pay."

Beasty then took her giant hooves over the another receptionist to snarl out" This guy wants to get his co-pay back"

Not a single word, no sorry about the delay, no nothing. Just a woman with the personality of a rock with zero customer service skills.

This is an unfortunate trend with doctor offices, and they think just because we have to see a doctor, that we'll wait and they can be rude. If this was a restaurant, you would be out of business, because if you help treated people like that, you would have no customers. You can tell people there's a wait, or tell people no, or whatever, if you do it politely. Just say "hey, sorry about the wait" or whatever, and I would have been fine

Not only will I never go there again, I will go out of my way to badmouth this business.

[Mtn.man]

Hate dr's offices, the people who run them are the ones that screw up the time frame.

[esaabye]

I have fired several doctors over this sort of thing, they always seem surprised.

I will not arrive 30 minutes early unless the doctor does as well, and they never do. I will arive on time and ready, if they are not within 15 minutes then we are moving on. This is or should be a service industry, rather then what is has become due to insurance.

[CrufflerSteve]

I do try to schedule early, ideally the first appt of the day. Unless there is an emergency I will find a new doc when they are chronically late.

Steve

[Byte Stryke]

I have often wondered if you could bring some sort of action against a medical office for an extremely delayed appointment.

[Mtn.man]

Get some fart spray, a woopie cushion, and cough alot. should clean the waiting room and "Your Next"

[StagLefty]

I was averaging 45 minutes to an hour at my last Doctor's office !!!

[ghettodub]

This is or should be a service industry, rather then what is has become due to insurance.

Couldn't agree with you more. They should have to work for our business. I couldn't run my business like that...

[BigBear]

I just don't go to doctors.... which would explain a lot.... darnit.....

After my car wreck... no Sir, no more docs for me. If it's that bad, just let me die. Forget a funeral, throw me in the woods and let the animals have a snack.

[HBARleatherneck]

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