NBCNEWS.COM - In concept it's a great idea: Schedule a Monday morning doctor's
appointment and ease your way into the week. But the truth is, you're
most likely to miss a meeting with your doc on Monday, according to new
research published in PLoS One.
Researchers at Glasgow University in Scotland studied the attendance
records of doctor visits at hospitals for more than 4.5 million people
as well as more than 10,000 appointments at a General Practitioner's
office. The results: More people missed appointments at the beginning of
week versus the end.
Why? Researchers blame your Monday morning blues, speculating that a
bad mood may leave you less willing to accept bad news from your doc, or
do something you don't want to do (like getting in the car and driving
to the appointment).
The easy fix: Pencil in time with your GP right when his office opens
Thursday or Friday. Interestingly, the study found that although people
are more likely to miss appointments early in the week, they're also
more likely to schedule then, leaving the end of the week more open. And
the first slot of the day will ensure a quieter office, a more
attentive doc, and a shorter wait time. Now all that's left is to
prepare accordingly with these 10 Questions You Must Ask Your Doctor.
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