Why is it so hard to get an appointment with a specialist?
Asked by: Arlie Welch | Last update: October 20, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (37 votes)
Why is it so hard to get medical appointments?
Because doctors have more than just you as a patient. They are often booked up with enough active patients to fill weeks or months of the available appointment dates. That is due a higher current ratio of patients seeking treatment to trained healthcare professionals than in the past.
What is the fastest way to see a specialist?
- Put your name on a waiting list. ...
- Be ready to act fast. ...
- See someone else in the practice. ...
- Use your doctor's network. ...
- Get video care on demand. ...
- Try a convenient care clinic. ...
- Lean on your primary. ...
- Ask about an e-consult.
Why is it so hard to get a doctor's appointment in 2024?
Appointments are stretching longer because of labor shortages and increasing demands.
Why does it take so long to see a medical specialist?
And because doctor's offices, like most businesses, typically operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an hour for lunch, they churn through dozens of appointments daily, often 20-35. It's their only option if they want to provide care to thousands. There is not enough time in the day to squeeze in everyone effectively.
Why is it so hard to get a doctor's appointment?
How to get an appointment with a specialist quickly?
- Be flexible. Sometimes (not always), health systems or practices automatically offer multiple locations for your appointment, noting if one has earlier openings. ...
- Snag a cancellation. ...
- Try the app for that. ...
- Go straight to the source. ...
- Can't get in to see that specialist? ...
- Don't lie.
How long is too long to wait for an appointment?
There's no universally agreed-upon duration, but for straightforward, routine appointments (like your annual physical, a Pap smear, a prescription refill, etc.), the physicians I spoke with say that, generally, 20–30 minutes past your scheduled time is the outer bounds of acceptable—meaning if you've been waiting that ...
Why is it so hard to get a specialist?
High demand: Specialists are highly sought-after by patients in need of complex care. They have a limited number of time slots available in the day, and many may also be away from their office multiple times a week.
Why is it impossible to get a doctor's appointment?
Part of the crisis in doctor numbers in this country comes down to GPs retiring early or going abroad where the conditions are more favourable. A huge number of GPs are also seeking help for mental health problems, feeling suicidal and there have even been cases of GP suicides.
How long is the typical wait for a doctor's office visit in the US?
An earlier survey, AMN Healthcare's 2022 Survey of Physician Appointment Wait Times and Medicare and Medicaid Acceptance Rates, showed that the average wait time for new-patient, non-emergent appointments across five specialties was 26 days, up 8% from the last time the survey was conducted in 2017 and up 24% from when ...
Why won't my doctor refer me to a specialist?
Perhaps it's because your doctor thinks he/she adequately understands your symptoms and doesn't believe there is cause for concern. Or, maybe you require a procedure he/she thinks can be sufficiently managed by your primary care practice.
What is the easiest specialist?
- Family Medicine.
- Internal Medicine.
- Preliminary Surgery.
- Orthopedic Surgery.
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
- Child Neurology.
Which of the following would be blocked off on an appointment schedule because the doctor is unavailable?
Final answer: In a doctor's appointment schedule, periods would be blocked off for activities such as hospital rounds, scheduled meetings, lunch, holidays and vacation days, surgeries, phone calls, and paperwork. These times represent when the doctor is unavailable for appointments.
How long does it take to see a specialist?
Wait times for specialist appointments can vary depending on the type of specialist and your location. On average, it can take anywhere from a few days to several months to see a specialist.
Why is it so hard to get an appointment with a rheumatologist?
The shortage of rheumatologists, compounded by retirements and a growing patient population with autoimmune conditions, contributes to this imbalance. Moreover, geographical disparities exacerbate the issue, with rural areas particularly underserved.
Why is finding a doctor so hard?
This shortage is attributed to various factors including an aging population (both patients and doctors are getting old), a growing emphasis on specialized medicine which draws physicians away from primary care, and fewer medical graduates choosing primary care as a field.
What not to say to your doctor?
- Yes, I'm taking my medications just like you told me. ...
- Nope, I'm not taking any prescription drugs or supplements right now. ...
- I didn't eat or drink anything prior to this surgery. ...
- I actually don't drink that much alcohol. ...
- Me, a smoker? ...
- Oh, I don't do drugs.
Why is it so hard to get doctors appointments now?
There is a primary care physician shortage in the United States. This is one of the root causes of the problems. There aren't enough primary care doctors in the United States. One study reported that the percentage of physicians in primary care in the U.S. decreased to about 25%.
How can I get antibiotics if I can't get a doctor's appointment?
- simple Urinary Tract Infection in women (16-64 years) (Nitrofurantoin)
- Conjunctivitis (chloramphenicol)
- Impetigo (fucidic acid)
- Infected nappy rash.
- Oral thrush (nystatin)
- Shingles (18+ years)
- Infected insect bites (1+years)
Why does it take so long to get into a specialist?
Waiting months for your appointment with a specialist seems commonplace in the United States. But lately, you might feel like even seeing a primary care physician is a monumental task. A lack of healthcare providers is a significant contributing factor to longer appointment wait times.
What is the most difficult doctor to be?
What is the most difficult type of doctor specialty? Neurosurgery is known to be particularly challenging because of the intricate nature of the nervous system and the significant risks involved in surgical procedures.
How to get a doctor's appointment fast?
Call Early in the Day
One of the most effective ways to get a doctor same-day appointment is to call your primary care provider's office as soon as they open. Many practices reserve slots for urgent cases or last-minute cancellations.
What is a reasonable amount of time to wait for a doctor?
I think it's reasonable if you have to wait around 30 minutes. But if you don't have this kind of flexibility in your day, call the office a couple of hours before leaving your home or work for your appointment and ask whether the doctor is running on time.
Why do doctors keep you waiting so long?
They are probably having to spend more time with one or more patients before you. Unfortunately they can't predict these longer visits during the day so it ends up with people waiting who were on time.
How long can you go without seeing a doctor?
In general, you should see a primary care doctor at least once a year for a general checkup and blood work. Chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, require more frequent checkups.