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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on December 13, 2008, at 17:20:34
I didn't realize that most T's are on time. My pdoc is always late. She apologizes if it's more than 30 mins though.
All my doctors have been late.
I don't think I have a choice in this though. It's very hard to find doctors here. I don't have the luxury to shop around.
I think I'm lucky to even have a pdoc who does therapy and sees me every week. I wish she weren't always late though. I also wish our times aren't so erratic, 10 mins some sessions, 45 mins other times. I think she might be very busy.
Posted by Racer on December 13, 2008, at 18:43:48
In reply to My pdoc is always late, posted by Deneb on December 13, 2008, at 17:20:34
> I didn't realize that most T's are on time. My pdoc is always late.
>
> All my doctors have been late.And I think the answer is contained within the question: most of us see separate, non-MD, therapists. Whole different kettle of wax. :-)
> I also wish our times aren't so erratic, 10 mins some sessions, 45 mins other times.
I do see this as a problem, though. I wish your times were more stable, though, because it makes it far easier to work in therapy. At least for me -- I could not begin to tolerate that level of uncertainty in therapy. But that's me, and you're you.
And have you talked to her about a steady length of session? That might be a good starting point...
Posted by Phillipa on December 14, 2008, at 0:58:50
In reply to My pdoc is always late, posted by Deneb on December 13, 2008, at 17:20:34
Sometimes pdocs have emergency calls to hospitals or a patient in trouble. Most of my pdocs have always been late. T's don't usually have to make hospital rounds so they are more available maybe that's one of the reasons. It's frustrating though. Relate to you. Phillipa
Posted by rskontos on December 14, 2008, at 9:49:54
In reply to Re: My pdoc is always late » Deneb, posted by Phillipa on December 14, 2008, at 0:58:50
Deneb
I have therapy with my p-doc and at the most he is 5 maybe 10 minutes late on occasion. But never more than that. I would freak out and leave if it were 45 minutes and he knows that. In fact, I doubt I would come back. I would probably wean myself off meds and be done with all of it. And he knows. So I am not sure if he just does a better job of scheduling or time management.take care,
if it does not hinder therapy it is ok, it it bothers you then discuss it with your doc.
rsk
Posted by Nadezda on December 14, 2008, at 12:04:20
In reply to My pdoc is always late, posted by Deneb on December 13, 2008, at 17:20:34
It's different with pdocs, and especially with pdocs who do therapy, though, Deneb. I'd say you have a right to expect to wait no more than 5-10 minutes. Sometimes, a doctor always runs about that late, like my pdoc tends to be a bit late, too. But he sees people for a full hour and has a very full schedule. Since it's a regular practice, I don't have much trouble with it. The predictability matters a lot (within limits)-- but more than 10 minutes really is expecting a lot. Thirty minutes is too much, IMO.
And the irregular length of sessions is really troubling. That I don't understand. Do you have an agreement with your pdoc about that? Was that your expectation going in? Do you pay different amounts, depending on time?
But most importantly, just the irregularity and unpredictability and lack of control you have over these things would be disturbing to me, over time. How do you feel? Are you really comfortable, or happy with this? I think despite what any of us believes, that's the most important question.
So, what would you say is the effect on you of her behavior?
Nadezda
Posted by raisinb on December 14, 2008, at 13:47:27
In reply to My pdoc is always late, posted by Deneb on December 13, 2008, at 17:20:34
Don't worry--in my experience pdocs are a different story. My pdoc's office actually has a sign up, something like, "due to the nature of our practice, we might run late, thank you for your patience." Mine is usually at least ten or fifteen minutes late. I think it's more difficult for them to time things. They schedule in fifteen or twenty-minute increments, but obviously if someone's experiencing trouble or complex reactions, appointments take longer and start to mess up the schedule. It doesn't mean yours is crappy or doesn't care about you ;)
Posted by raisinb on December 14, 2008, at 13:49:21
In reply to Re: My pdoc is always late » Deneb, posted by raisinb on December 14, 2008, at 13:47:27
Like Nadezda said, if it is bothersome or scary to you to have so little knowledge or control of how things will go, then it is definitely something you should bring up with her. It might not be modifiable, but at least you will have expressed your feelings and had a conversation. Which, I have learned through therapy, is always better than stewing and being upset (oh, that I could always follow this advice myself....)
Posted by fayeroe on December 14, 2008, at 18:58:38
In reply to Re: My pdoc is always late » Deneb, posted by Racer on December 13, 2008, at 18:43:48
Mine has never been late. hmmmmmm
Posted by Deneb on December 14, 2008, at 21:13:33
In reply to Re: My pdoc is always late » Racer, posted by fayeroe on December 14, 2008, at 18:58:38
Oh, I'm mostly OK with the lateness and the variable session times. I don't like waiting more than 15 mins though.
A lot of the time I don't have much to talk about so there is no way we could fill up 45 mins. I think maybe a typical session is 30 mins long and sometimes she's overbooked or something and can only see me for 15 mins and other times she isn't and sees me for 45 mins. I think it depends on how many patients she has to see that day.
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