Breaking Down Long Wait Times at the Doctor's Office

Eric Marquette

Hey everyone, welcome back to MDFastpass. I’m Eric Marquette, here with Julia Rivers. Today, we’re digging into something that’s, well, honestly driving a lot of us up the wall—those never-ending waits to see a doctor. Julia, I gotta tell you, I just waited six weeks—six!—for a dermatology appointment here in New York. And I’m not even talking about something rare, just a regular skin check. By the time I got in, I’d almost forgotten why I made the appointment in the first place.

Julia Rivers

Oh, Eric, I feel you. And you’re definitely not alone. The numbers are pretty wild right now. According to the latest AMN Healthcare report, the average wait for a doctor’s appointment in major U.S. cities is up to 31 days. That’s a 19% jump since 2022. And it’s not just dermatology—OB/GYN, cardiology, gastroenterology, you name it. Some of those specialties are pushing 40 days or more. It’s the longest wait times since they started tracking this stuff back in 2004.

Eric Marquette

Yeah, and what’s really striking is that these are cities with some of the highest physician-to-population ratios in the country. So if it’s this bad in New York or LA, you can only imagine what it’s like in smaller towns. I read that rural independent practices have dropped by 43% since 2019. That’s just staggering.

Julia Rivers

It is. And it’s not just about inconvenience, right? These delays can mean people aren’t getting timely treatment. I mean, if you’re waiting over a month to see a cardiologist or a neurologist, that’s not just annoying—it can be dangerous. And the Association of American Medical Colleges is projecting a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. That’s not exactly reassuring.

Eric Marquette

No, not at all. And, you know, we’ve talked in past episodes about how these wait times impact patient satisfaction and even clinical outcomes. It’s not just a matter of being patient—it’s about your health, your peace of mind. I mean, I was lucky, but what if it had been something urgent?

Julia Rivers

Exactly. And it’s not just urban areas feeling the pinch. Rural communities are losing independent practices at a rapid clip, which just makes the access problem worse. So, yeah, the system’s stretched thin everywhere. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, honestly.

Julia Rivers

So, let’s talk about what’s actually driving this crunch. It’s not just that there aren’t enough doctors—though that’s a huge part of it. There’s this whole cocktail of issues. For starters, we’ve got more patients than ever, especially after the pandemic. People delayed care, and now they’re coming in with more complex, chronic conditions—ADHD, asthma, long COVID symptoms, you name it.

Eric Marquette

Yeah, and then you’ve got the paperwork mountain. I mean, doctors are spending, what, almost half their time on administrative stuff? That’s time they’re not seeing patients. It’s like, you go to med school to help people, and then you end up behind a desk filling out forms and fighting with insurance companies. It’s no wonder everyone’s frustrated.

Julia Rivers

Totally. And it’s not just the doctors who are frustrated. Patients are, too. I came across this story from a neurologist, who said there just aren’t enough stroke specialists to handle all the follow-ups. And get this—one patient had a stroke and then had to wait over a year to see a neurologist. That’s just heartbreaking.

Eric Marquette

That’s brutal. And it’s not just neurology. Cardiology, gastroenterology, even pediatrics—fewer doctors are entering those specialties, and some residency programs aren’t even filling their slots. Plus, a lot of specialists aren’t in network with insurance, so if you need someone who takes your plan, you’re competing with everyone else for those few spots.

Julia Rivers

And let’s not forget the insurance hoops. Before you can even see a specialist, your primary care doc has to jump through all these approval processes, do extra testing, and basically prove you really need that referral. It’s supposed to make things more efficient, but it just adds more layers and slows everything down.

Eric Marquette

Right, and all that extra work means doctors can only see so many patients a day. It’s like a bottleneck at every step. And, as we’ve talked about before, this is a big driver of physician burnout. They’re working harder, getting paid less, and the system just keeps piling on more paperwork and less support.

Julia Rivers

Yeah, and with more people losing insurance coverage, or having gaps in coverage, it’s only going to get tougher. It’s a perfect storm—more demand, fewer providers, and a system that’s just not built for this kind of pressure. No wonder so many practices are closing or getting bought out by big health systems.

Eric Marquette

And that’s a whole other can of worms, right? When practices get bought up, prices go up, and sometimes care gets even less personal. But, I’m getting ahead of myself. Where was I going with this? Oh right—so, all these challenges are why we’re seeing such historic wait times. But there are some glimmers of hope, and that’s what we want to get into next.

Eric Marquette

So, let’s talk about solutions. We’ve mentioned MD FastPass before, but I think it’s worth digging into how platforms like this are actually trying to move the needle. The idea is pretty simple—use technology to streamline scheduling, cut down on backlogs, and give patients faster access to non-emergent appointments. It’s not about skipping the line for emergencies, but it does help with those bottlenecks that make people wait weeks or months for routine care.

Julia Rivers

Yeah, and it’s not just about speed. MD FastPass is also focused on making the whole office experience better—less chaos, more communication, and a sense that your time actually matters. I mean, how many times have you shown up for an appointment, only to wait another hour in the lobby? With platforms like this, you get proactive updates and a smoother process from start to finish.

Eric Marquette

And it’s not just MD FastPass. We’re seeing a lot of industry-wide responses—telehealth has really taken off, especially for follow-ups or initial consults. Group-based care is another interesting one, where providers can support multiple patients or families at once, which can help reduce wait times and even build support networks. And, of course, some doctors are shifting to cash-only or cosmetic services just to keep their practices afloat, which, well, that’s a whole other debate.

Julia Rivers

Yeah, and for patients, there are some strategies that can help. Don’t wait to get a referral—start that process as soon as your primary care doc suggests it. And if telehealth is an option, take it. Sometimes you can get answers or at least get the ball rolling a lot faster. Staying in close touch with your primary care provider can also help—they can advocate for you if your condition gets worse and maybe even help you get seen sooner.

Eric Marquette

And, you know, these platforms are really about bridging the gap—making sure patients and providers are on the same page, appointments are coordinated, and nobody falls through the cracks. It’s not a magic bullet, but it’s a step in the right direction. And as we’ve seen in previous episodes, when you reduce wait times and administrative headaches, everybody wins—patients, doctors, the whole system.

Julia Rivers

Absolutely. And I think the big takeaway is, don’t lose hope. There are real challenges, but there are also real innovations happening. We’ll keep following these stories and sharing what works—and what doesn’t—as the landscape keeps evolving.

Eric Marquette

That’s a wrap for today. Julia, always a pleasure talking through these big issues with you.

Julia Rivers

Same here, Eric. And thanks to everyone for tuning in. We’ll be back soon with more on how technology and new ideas are changing the patient experience. Take care, everyone!

Eric Marquette

See you next time!