How long would you wait for a routine appointment with a doctor who's running late? The caveat: There's a pandemic; the waiting room is so full people can't stay six feet apart; and the room is poorly ventilated. (As you're guessing, this is not a hypothetical question.)
The further caveat:
You called in advance to ask if she was running late. You said asked if, given the pandemic, she would kindly send you a text, if so, so that you don't wait in the crowded waiting room. You receive no text.
The further caveat:
You called in advance to ask if she was running late. You said asked if, given the pandemic, she would kindly send you a text, if so, so that you don't wait in the crowded waiting room. You receive no text.
The further caveat:
The further caveat: Someone in the waiting room is coughing.
The further caveat: The ICUs in France are now 94% full and the B116 variant is running amok.
The further caveat: After 15 minutes, you knock on her door and say--politely--
The further caveat: The ICUs in France are now 94% full and the B116 variant is running amok.
The further caveat: After 15 minutes, you knock on her door and say--politely--
that to comply with the health ministry social distancing guidelines, you will wait outside. She nods says she will come get you when she's ready.
The further caveat: You discover it is raining. You didn't bring an umbrella.
She doesn't arrive. The minutes tick past.
The further caveat: You discover it is raining. You didn't bring an umbrella.
She doesn't arrive. The minutes tick past.
The situation: You definitely need to see a doctor. Something's not right. But it isn't life-threatening. (I hope.)
How long would you wait before saying, "Screw it?"
I'm just curious to know what you think is "a normal wait," "a vexing wait," and "an "I'd leave" wait.
How long would you wait before saying, "Screw it?"
I'm just curious to know what you think is "a normal wait," "a vexing wait," and "an "I'd leave" wait.
Where's the line between, "Doctors are busy and important people and we don't always know how long our patients will need," and "That's just rude, even if her patient was having a heart attack in her office, she could have sent you a text?"
Would you agree that a doctor who's indifferent to the infectious potential of her waiting room is probably the kind of doctor who doesn't wash her hands, sterilize her instruments, or count the sponges?
What's the magic time limit between, "Well I'm not going to be a prima donna, I can stand here in the rain a while longer," and "Screw this. If she can't manage her schedule--or figure out how to send me a text--she'd probably forget to count the sponges?"
Oh, one more relevant caveat: France is under a curfew. Had I waited longer, I would have been out after the curfew. You are, technically, allowed to be out for doctors' appointments. But I didn't have the right kind of permission slip.
Here, I'll make it simple:
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