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Three doctors told me the same thing: after their practices were acquired, the time they could spend with patients changed. Has healthcare become more about the clock than the connection?

There was a time when going to the doctor meant more than checking a box on a schedule. It meant knowing your physician, building trust, and feeling confident that someone truly understood your health concerns.

Recently, I had conversations with three different doctors who shared something that stopped me in my tracks.

They all said the same thing:

Since their practices were bought by larger healthcare organizations, they are now expected to see patients in limited time blocks—often around 15 minutes per visit.

Five minutes to review your history.
Five minutes to discuss your concerns.
Five minutes to ask questions.
How many minutes to make decisions that can impact your health.

For patients, that can feel like a countdown.

For doctors, it can feel like a system that leaves little room for what many entered medicine to do: listen, understand, and care.

The question is not whether doctors care. Most do.

The bigger question is:

Has the healthcare system created a situation where both doctors and patients feel rushed, disconnected, and unheard?

I want to hear from you:

• Do you feel rushed during your doctor’s appointments?
• Has your relationship with your doctor changed since their practice joined a larger healthcare system?
• Do you feel comfortable bringing up all your concerns during a visit?
• What would improve the doctor-patient experience?

Share your story in the comments. Your voice matters.