Time matters.

In preparing to give a lecture to medical residents I came across a journal article from a few years ago studying the causes of errors in the family practice setting. I was interested -- though not too surprised -- to read that "physician stressors" were reported by physicians themselves as one of the main causes for medical errors. The top stressors identified were the physician feeling "hurried," the physician feeling "distracted" and "the time of the visit was stressful to the physician (eg, night, weekend, off-duty hours, quitting time)."

Physicians are people too (though some may see themselves as something close to divine). They get tired, pissed-off, anxious. At quitting time they want to go home. Health problems and medical emergencies don't always occur at convenient hours, and patients are most certainly due good, competent care at all times of the day and night. However, for those visits to the doctor than are not emergencies, schedule an appointment when your doctor is least likely to be stressed. Get the first appointment of the day, and always try to avoid being the last patient he or she sees. Once you've seen your doctor for a period of years you'll get to learn when she's least busy and more likely to give you her undivided attention. Ask your doctor when the best time is to schedule a visit. You'll be better off for it.