It took so long to get in that I started visiting the nurse practitioner at the local pharmacy clinic whenever I got a minor illness - two weeks doesn't work when you have strep throat. After maybe two years, I finally had an ongoing issue that I wanted to see a full medical doctor about. I tried to schedule a "well visit," whatever that is, because the other option was talking to a nurse rather than scheduling an appointment. The receptionist switched me to the sick nurse anyway, who after nearly half an hour on hold informed me that I'd just have to call back tomorrow because they weren't able to fit me in today. I told her that I wasn't trying to schedule an appointment for today, and she said that's "just policy" when someone is sick. I pointed out I haven't been in a while and wasn't up to date on the policies. Further, I added that this is an ongoing issue and I didn't want a same-day appointment. She repeated that I'd have to call back tomorrow to schedule an appointment for tomorrow. We went around in circles for a few more minutes before I stated that I'd be switching doctors and hung up, and the woman was increasingly rude. There's clearly a designated answer they're allowed to give, but there's apparently no point in having a primary care physician when I can't get in for what I need to and can head to the clinic for everything else.
All USA
It took so long to get in that I started visiting the nurse practitioner at the local pharmacy clinic whenever I got a minor illness - two weeks doesn't work when you have strep throat. After maybe two years, I finally had an ongoing issue that I wanted to see a full medical doctor about. I tried to schedule a "well visit," whatever that is, because the other option was talking to a nurse rather than scheduling an appointment. The receptionist switched me to the sick nurse anyway, who after nearly half an hour on hold informed me that I'd just have to call back tomorrow because they weren't able to fit me in today. I told her that I wasn't trying to schedule an appointment for today, and she said that's "just policy" when someone is sick. I pointed out I haven't been in a while and wasn't up to date on the policies. Further, I added that this is an ongoing issue and I didn't want a same-day appointment. She repeated that I'd have to call back tomorrow to schedule an appointment for tomorrow. We went around in circles for a few more minutes before I stated that I'd be switching doctors and hung up, and the woman was increasingly rude. There's clearly a designated answer they're allowed to give, but there's apparently no point in having a primary care physician when I can't get in for what I need to and can head to the clinic for everything else.