I agree with Cherie in saying these are all good points! If a doctor only has 10 minutes to spend with you, they can at least tack on a prescription refill if it's not problematic or needing discussion. I understand needing to make a new appointment for a substantial issue that you bring up during or at the end of an appointment (instead of letting the scheduler know about it, or at least letting the doc know at the outset that you need to discuss it, so they can structure the visit accordingly or tell you at the outset that you'll need to make another appointment for that).

Say, where do some of you people find those doctors who have time to chit-chat? Not that I require chit-chat, but it would be nice to have a doctor who has TIME for chit-chat, which I could use for asking questions.

The only doctors who've ever done any chit-chat with me are two of the ear doctors, and it's not personal chit-chat but usually something about insurance coverage or general talk about ears and balance and surgery. I do appreciate their being able to take a few extra minutes to share such info with me.

Primary care doctors have NEVER EVER chatted with me. They are in and out so fast you're left there stunned, wondering "Is my appointment over? Is she, or somebody, coming back with a prescription or something? Am I supposed to leave now?" My new PCP doesn't do that, he's very nice and attentive, but he doesn't have time for chit-chat. That's fine with me, because he treats me as a human being instead of a piece of furniture. I think many doctors forget how much it can mean to simply look a patient in the eye and say a pleasant "hello" and "goodbye."

Nancy T.