I read everyone's comments and agree to many valid points. Nevertheless, I believe that punctuality is not a one way street. If the doctor's office can charge late fees for being 10 or 15 min late, then the patient should be able to charge the office the same. After all, the appointment WAS at 1:30pm, not 2:30pm, correct?
As noted above, many times you will see a doctor in less time than you would wait for a table at your favorite restaurant.. but the main difference between these activities is that going out for dinner is voluntary, whereas going to the doctor is many times involuntary. I can choose to go out or not for dinner, but I cannot choose to keep a sick child at home. No good parent would.
With this in mind, parents and patients many times have to accommodate their busy schedules to make the "unforseen" appointment with the doctor. It is a mutual agreement between both parties and should be honored by both. If the doctor's office is to be a business, then it too should abide by normal consumer regulations. Offering compensation for "unsatisfactory" service.
When has anybody turned around and said, "I'm not satisfied with your service and I would like a refund" ????
I have been in school for 10 years now, like most doctors, but I would find it unethical to charge my clients late fees and not be willing to give them a refund or compensation if they found my services unsatisfactory on good grounds.
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I read everyone's comments and agree to many valid points. Nevertheless, I believe that punctuality is not a one way street. If the doctor's office can charge late fees for being 10 or 15 min late, then the patient should be able to charge the office the same. After all, the appointment WAS at 1:30pm, not 2:30pm, correct?
As noted above, many times you will see a doctor in less time than you would wait for a table at your favorite restaurant.. but the main difference between these activities is that going out for dinner is voluntary, whereas going to the doctor is many times involuntary. I can choose to go out or not for dinner, but I cannot choose to keep a sick child at home. No good parent would.
With this in mind, parents and patients many times have to accommodate their busy schedules to make the "unforseen" appointment with the doctor. It is a mutual agreement between both parties and should be honored by both. If the doctor's office is to be a business, then it too should abide by normal consumer regulations. Offering compensation for "unsatisfactory" service.
When has anybody turned around and said, "I'm not satisfied with your service and I would like a refund" ????
I have been in school for 10 years now, like most doctors, but I would find it unethical to charge my clients late fees and not be willing to give them a refund or compensation if they found my services unsatisfactory on good grounds.
October 15, 2010 - 11:07amThis Comment
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