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On demand, not on hold \u2014 new research revealed the top hurdles that send patients running to a new doctor.<\/p>\n
According to a survey<\/a>\u00a0of 2,000 Americans who\u2019ve been to the doctor within the last year, sitting in the waiting room for more than 30 minutes (52%), inability to speak with a human being (48%) and difficulty scheduling an appointment (41%) are the top three instant doctor\u2019s office \u201cturn-offs.\u201d<\/p>\n First impressions matter too, as it takes just 20 minutes into an appointment for the average patient to decide whether or not they\u2019ll come back to that doctor.<\/p>\n On average, survey respondents reported they typically wait on hold for eight and a half minutes when calling a doctor\u2019s office to schedule an appointment. But those same respondents are only willing to wait on hold for about 10 minutes before hanging up when they are trying to schedule an appointment with a new doctor\u2019s office.<\/p>\n Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of patient communications provider\u00a0Klara<\/a>, a ModMed company, results found that in a perfect world, it would take Americans an average of just seven and a half minutes to schedule that first appointment with a new doctor, including hold time.<\/p>\n While difficulty scheduling the first appointment (31%) and long phone hold times (19%) were among the worst parts of switching to a new doctor, a few aspects were even more anxiety-inducing.<\/p>\n According to the results, establishing trust and rapport with the new doctor (54%) and questioning the quality of care they\u2019ll receive (41%) ranked as the worst elements of switching to a new doctor.<\/p>\n This need for comfortable and personalized care mirrors the top reasons Americans surveyed would \u201cbreak up with\u201d their current doctor: low quality of care (58%), not feeling heard or understood (49%) and feeling rushed through their appointment (41%).<\/p>\n The average American polled believes a doctor should spend at least 20 minutes with a new patient during their first visit.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth doctors and patients are busier than ever \u2014 with jam-packed schedules and seemingly endless tasks, it\u2019s no surprise that there\u2019s so much pressure on both sides to make the most of what little time they have,\u201d said Irish McIntyre, Chief Product Officer at ModMed. \u201cThat\u2019s precisely where technology must act as a bridge, not a barrier. By automating the administrative noise that consumes so much of the day, it\u2019s designed to give back the one resource that matters most: dedicated, uninterrupted time for human connection and care.\u201d<\/p>\n With so much emphasis on human interaction, the survey also explored the role of AI when it comes to doctor\u2019s offices.<\/p>\n While one-third of respondents are uncomfortable with AI being involved in their healthcare at all, others believe it could be helpful when it comes to appointment reminders (37%), prescription refills (29%) and scheduling appointments (23%).<\/p>\n Americans are divided over how much they trust AI \u2014 13% believe technology enhances care and efficiency and trust it completely, while 18% err more on the side of caution and would only task AI with administrative tasks.<\/p>\n Still, nearly a third of respondents don\u2019t trust it all, believing it\u2019s unreliable or impersonal.<\/p>\n This may be why the survey found personal touches still matter in healthcare.<\/p>\n Respondents noted that remembering medical history (50%), ensuring a calm, welcoming environment (48%) and knowing their name and remembering details about their personal life (41%) are still quite important to them.<\/p>\n \u201cResults found that the top change Americans wish all doctors\u2019 offices would make is more personalized care and attention during visits. The data tells us that patients want to feel seen and remembered, not processed like a number,\u201d said McIntyre. \u201cThe solution isn\u2019t to avoid technology, but to strike the right balance with focus on quality solutions that create time and space for providers to deliver a deeply human experience. When smart, reliable practice technology handles the administrative gaps or empowers patients to take an active role in their care, both providers and patients have a better healthcare experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Research methodology:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans who\u2019ve been seen by a doctor within the past year, who have access to the internet;<\/strong>\u00a0the survey was commissioned by\u00a0Klara\u00ae, a ModMed\u00ae<\/strong>\u00a0company and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 20 and May 23, 2025. A link to the questionnaire can be found\u00a0here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR\u2019s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research\u00a0Process and Methodology page<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\nTop Reasons To \u201cBreak Up\u201d With Current Doctor<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Personal Touches Still Matter in Healthcare<\/strong><\/h2>\n