Dr. Angelica K. Gierut, MD

In any clinic, on any given day, a patient may have longer wait times depending on unforeseen problems that need to be addressed for patients seen earlier in the day or  urgent visits that may need to be overbooked same-day for an acute problem.  Conversely, a patient may experience shorter wait times if there happen to be cancellations and/or "no-show" appointments that day.  You can be assured that the doctor is trying to be as timely as possible without compromising care.  

However, during visits to an academic medical center, such as any of the major academic medical centers in Chicago or surrounding suburbs, there may be some differences that a patient not accustomed to such a center may encounter: 

• Academic medical centers sometimes have very complicated return patients that may unexpectedly need more time than their scheduled time slot allows, but not always.  This can sometimes lead to increased wait times for those patients scheduled later in the day.

• Before you see the attending physician, you will probably see a fellow-in-training who is a board-certified Internist, training to be a specialist.  In this case, you can expect the majority of the visit time to be spent with the fellow.  The trade-off is that you are seeing 2 doctors instead of one, and that you are being seen in a teaching institution where new data, studies & guidelines are being routinely reviewed, discussed and even formulated. 

It is also important to note that when you are seeking a second opinion, or establishing with a new specialist, she or he may not always agree with your previous doctor.  If asked, you should provide previous records in a timely manner, or be ready to repeat some labs if necessary.  Finally, if your reported history is not consistent with your exam, a rheumatologist may ask you to obtain additional lab tests, imaging, and/or consider treatment alterations with close follow-up for observation.  It is your right to receive explanations for any testing or treatment approach.  It is also OK to decline to do any or all tests and/or treatments.  However, it is important to recognize that lacking such important information may make it more difficult for a physician to accurately assess you.  In turn, the doctor reserves the right to refuse to continue certain medications if they do not feel the medications are indicated and may be causing you unnecessary harm or risk, based on the available information.  Therefore maintaining open lines of communication should be a priority in any patient-doctor relationship.