Feeling Rushed at the Doctor’s Office? How to Speak Up and Get the Care You Deserve
By Dr. Julia Gold | Encore Concierge Medicine
We often hear patients say things like:
“I felt like I had to rush through everything.”
“I didn’t feel heard.”
“They told me we didn’t have time to go over that.”
And while these moments can feel deeply personal, they’re usually symptoms of a much larger issue: the structural limits of traditional healthcare.
The average primary care visit in the U.S. lasts 15–20 minutes—barely enough time for a provider to review your history, let alone address multiple or complex concerns. In a system designed for efficiency, patients are often left with quick fixes instead of thoughtful care. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
At Encore, we practice concierge medicine—a model that prioritizes time, access, and whole-person care. But we also believe patients deserve to feel empowered in any care setting. Whether you're navigating a traditional office or exploring alternatives, here are some ways to make your time with a doctor more impactful—and your voice more central.
1. Understand the Purpose of Your Visit
Annual exams = preventive care, not problem-solving.
This is one of the most common misconceptions. Annual wellness visits are designed to review your preventive screenings, discuss lifestyle, and check in on general health markers, not to evaluate new symptoms or ongoing issues.
If you have a concern—whether it’s fatigue, pain, anxiety, or a hormonal imbalance—book a separate appointment dedicated to that issue. Trying to squeeze it into a routine exam will often result in either rushed guidance or a suggestion to come back later anyway.
2. Prioritize One Concern at a Time
When time is limited, clarity is everything.
It can be tempting to show up with a list of symptoms, but this can overwhelm the appointment and dilute the depth of conversation. Instead, choose the one issue that’s affecting you the most and focus the visit around that.
If multiple issues need attention, ask your provider to help you triage them, then schedule follow-up visits accordingly. Fragmented care may not be ideal, but it’s often more productive than trying to “fit it all in.”
3. Ask for Extended Appointments When Needed
You’re allowed to ask for more time.
Many clinics offer 30- or 45-minute appointments, but patients often don’t know to request them. If you have a complex concern, say so when scheduling:
“I’d like to request an extended appointment so I don’t feel rushed.”
It’s a simple ask that can make a significant difference in both experience and outcome.
4. Prepare in Advance
Preparation isn’t just for the doctor—it helps you, too.
Come to the visit with:
A clear description of your concern
A brief timeline of symptoms or changes
Any relevant questions you’d like answered
Notes on previous treatments, if applicable
The more specific you can be, the easier it becomes to have a collaborative, solution-focused conversation.
5. Book Your Follow-Up Before You Leave
Don’t wait until things worsen.
If your concern isn’t resolved, or if the treatment plan requires tracking progress over time, schedule your follow-up while you’re still at the office. Life gets busy. Putting it on the calendar ensures continuity—and shows your provider you’re invested in your care.
6. Know When the Model Isn’t Working for You
Even with these strategies, traditional care settings have limits.
If you find yourself consistently feeling unheard, rushed, or like you’re managing your health in pieces instead of as a whole, it might be time to consider a different kind of care.
At Encore, we offer a concierge model with:
A limited patient panel (so your provider actually has time for you)
Direct access to your physician via call, text, or video
Appointments that are never rushed
A focus on prevention, personalized care, and long-term partnership
Concierge medicine isn’t just for when you’re unwell—it’s for when you’re ready to be fully seen, supported, and understood.
Final Thought: You Deserve to Be Heard
Your health journey doesn’t begin and end in a waiting room. It lives in the small, consistent ways you care for yourself, and in the moments you choose to advocate for what you need.
Whether you’re in a traditional system or exploring concierge care, remember:
You are allowed to take up space.
You are allowed to ask for more.
And you are absolutely worth the time it takes to feel well.
Interested in a care model that’s built around you?
Encore Concierge Medicine is currently accepting a limited number of new patients in Chicago. Learn more at encoreconciergemed.com or send us a message to get started.