Five Star Service in a Doctor's Office

When you go to a physician's office, what are the things that make you willing to return?

Many people hate long waits to see the doctor, especially when given an appointment time and then being admonished by the stern-sounding receptionist to be on time. It just doesn't seem fair if the doctor is then more than a few minutes late to see you. Isn't your time just as valuable as his or hers? I regularly ask for the first appointment of the morning or afternoon to try to reduce the wait time. However, if the doctor is regularly late, I may switch to another physician who usually is on time.

Patients also hate feeling stupid because they don't understand what the doctor is saying. Many people will not tell the doctor they don't understand the medical terms or the implications of having some test or disease. Physicians needs to speak in "plain language" so patients get the message the first time. Patients also need to ask for the information to be explained in simpler words.

The third thing that bothers many people is when nurses and receptionists do not get answers back to patients when they say they will. If they are not able to call you back when their own outgoing messages say they will, or at least the next morning, this can be frustrating for the patients, and bad public relations.

A doctor's office where the staff work together well, convey information on time, patients are seen at or close to their appointment times, and doctors explain information so patients understand it, is a rare place. I only know of one such place. I think it is closed to new patients now.

What bugs you most about doctors' offices?