Why We’re Still Waiting at the Doctor’s Office

Eric Marquette

Hey everyone, welcome back to MDFastpass: Revolutionizing the Patient Appointment Experience. I'm Eric Marquette, and as always, I'm joined by Julia Rivers. So, let me just kick things off with a little story—last year, I tried to get in to see a dermatologist. I thought, you know, routine check, no big deal. Ended up waiting six weeks just to get in the door. And when I finally did, the whole visit was maybe ten minutes. The doctor was clearly rushing, probably because they were so overbooked. I left thinking, why did I even bother?

Julia Rivers

Oh, Eric, I feel that. I had my own saga with an OBGYN here in Chicago. I called around, and the soonest slot was seven weeks out. Seven! And this is Chicago, not some tiny rural town. It's wild. And honestly, I know I'm not alone. The latest AMN Healthcare survey says Americans are waiting, what, 26 to 31 days on average for a doctor's appointment in major cities? And for some specialties, like OBGYN, it's up to 42 days. That's a month and a half just to get seen.

Eric Marquette

Yeah, and those numbers are backed up by Forbes too. Wait times are the longest they've been since these surveys started. And it's not just about getting on the schedule. Once you actually show up, you're still waiting. The most recent data shows the average patient spends 18 minutes in the waiting room after arriving. That's a lot of time to, you know, flip through old magazines or just stare at your phone.

Eric Marquette

And the reasons for all this? They're piling up. There's a real shortage of specialists, especially in fields like neurology and cardiology. The Association of American Medical Colleges is projecting a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. That's a huge gap. And after COVID, demand for care just shot up. More chronic conditions, more people needing follow-ups, and a lot of folks who delayed care during the pandemic are now coming in sicker and needing more attention.

Julia Rivers

And don't forget the admin side. All those insurance hoops, referrals, paperwork—it's eating up a ton of provider time. Some specialists spend almost half their day on admin tasks instead of actually seeing patients. It's no wonder the system's jammed up. And, as we talked about last episode, these pressures are burning out providers and making it even harder for practices to stay independent. It's just a vicious cycle.

Eric Marquette

So, let's talk about what all this waiting actually does to people and the system. The fallout is real. About 30% of patients end up abandoning their appointments because of these waits, and 63% say they'd switch providers if delays are routine. That's a huge chunk of people just walking away from care or looking for someone else.

Julia Rivers

And the frustration is basically universal. NRC Health found that 97% of patients report frustration about long waits. That's, like, everyone. And 84% say wait time is crucial to their overall healthcare experience. It's not just a minor annoyance—it really shapes how people feel about their care.

Eric Marquette

And the financial hit is massive. Missed appointments cost the U.S. healthcare system $150 billion a year. That's billion with a B. And for providers, every missed or open appointment costs about $200, according to Healthcare Innovation. That adds up fast, especially for smaller practices. But it's not just about the money. Missed appointments can mean worse clinical outcomes, lower patient retention, and a hit to the practice's reputation. And honestly, all that admin overload we talked about? It eats into provider time, spirals into burnout, and just makes everything less efficient. It's a lose-lose.

Eric Marquette

Yeah, and when people feel rushed or ignored, they're less likely to stick with their provider. It's not just about loyalty, either. Long waits can mean delayed diagnoses, mistreatments, and more serious health issues down the line. NRC Health even points out that long waits can harm an organization's reputation and worsen clinical outcomes. It's a mess.

Julia Rivers

And, you know, Eric, your dermatologist story really hits home. You wait all that time, and then the visit feels rushed. It just makes you question whether it's worth it to go back. I think a lot of people are feeling that way right now.

Eric Marquette

So, let's get into how MD FastPass is trying to flip the script. The whole idea is to accelerate patient access, get people in for non-emergent appointments quickly, and use smarter scheduling to cut down on those costly no-shows. It's about making the system work for both patients and providers.

Julia Rivers

Exactly. MD FastPass uses automation and digital-first tools to optimize scheduling for patients seeking expedited appointments. That means a better experience for patients and less stress and burnout for physicians. And for providers, it's not just about filling the calendar. And yes, there is a small fee, so It's a new revenue stream—premium expedited appointments that patients are willing to pay for. That helps offset declining reimbursements and rising costs, which we talked about in another episode.

Eric Marquette

Plus, it boosts patient loyalty and makes the whole operation more efficient. Early adopters are seeing higher retention, happier patients, and more revenue. The model is scalable, too. There's real potential for national impact if more practices get on board. It's not just a quick fix. It's a way to fundamentally change how we access care.

Eric Marquette

And honestly, it's about time. Patients deserve better, and providers need solutions that actually work for them. MD FastPass isn't the only answer, but it's a big step in the right direction.

Julia Rivers

Couldn't agree more. And I think that's a good place to wrap for today. We'll keep digging into these issues and solutions in future episodes, so stick with us.

Eric Marquette

Thanks for joining us on MDFastpass. Julia, always a pleasure. Looking forward to next time.

Eric Marquette

Right back at you, Julia, thanks as always. Take care, everyone, and we'll see you next time.

Julia Rivers

Bye, everyone!