What is the longest you’ve waited to see your primary doctor?

Thirty minutes? (Basically on time in my book!) An hour? (Average.) An hour and a half? (Bad but I’ve seen worse.)

Before I go any further, please let me stress that all physicians dream of a clinic that runs on time. Every morning my goal is get my children up, fed, dressed and off to school without a single mishap so I may arrive a full 30 minutes early to clinic.

In this world, I have a team meeting about the day ahead with my nurses whose morning has also been smooth as silk. Clinic would then begin at 8 o’clock sharp as the patient has also arrived 15 minutes early to complete insurance updates and other required paperwork. We would then seamlessly glide from the 8 to the 8:15 to the 8:30 and so on, at exactly those times.

I would get to have a break at lunch during which I could sit down and eat or even make phone calls to patients if needed. I see rainbows in the distance just thinking about it! Unfortunately, the reality is that nothing is perfect.

I have three children and I feel accomplished getting to work with matching shoes on in the morning. Even on the best days, there is some hiccup that must be attended which may or may not be patient-related. For instance, my nurse had a flat tire on the way to work last Monday. Fortunately, I had the help of wonderful staff members to try to keep us on time.

After almost 10 years of practice, I liken clinic to the game show Let’s Make a Deal. I never really know what’s behind doors 1, 2 or 3 until I sit down and start talking.

I am a family physician. I can encounter any problem at any age. I love this about my job, however, this leads to unforeseen delays.

I once saw a 68-year-old woman acutely for a sinus infection. She just felt so tired. After examining her, I advised her that her fatigue was more likely from the new onset heart block rather than an infection. She received her pacemaker the next day.

Of course, this acute “quick” visit necessitated an EKG and a personal call to a cardiologist. I was glad to discover this patient’s problem but this caused a delay in my schedule, which translates to a longer wait time for other patients.

I value all of my patients. I know they have obligations of their own during the day and their visit with me is (hopefully) just a small part of their day.

My staff and I brainstorm daily about how to run clinic punctually in between prior authorizations for medications, insurance calls and phone calls or emails from other patients. The inner-workings of medicine have become fast-paced, just like everything else in life. I often feel that it is unfortunate that there are only 24 hours in a day.

Today’s world requires me to check boxes and meet criteria for insurance and fight for every test I order. This takes time, which interrupts the clinic schedule.

While it is frustrating for you as a patient, it is also frustrating for me because my job is caring for you. All of you.

If you are seen for your diabetes and high blood pressure but you are experiencing grief from the loss of a loved one, we will talk about it. If you want my opinion regarding what a specialist recommended, we will talk about it. This takes time.

So, you see, my clinic day isn’t perfect. The patients I see each day aren’t perfect. I’m not perfect.

I strive to be the best I can be and at times this means taking the time that each patient needs – even if I’m wearing two different shoes.

Jennifer Saurette, MD, is a mother of three, board certified in family medicine and an ETMC First Physician