NYC doctors rally against ruling that limits their time with patients

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- "Don't touch patient time, every minute counts," was the chant of doctors who are furious over the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation setting the clock back on the amount of time doctors can spend with new patients, from 40 minutes to 20 minutes.

Because of the backlog of hundreds of patients waiting to see doctors, the new rule that took effect last week slashes in half the amount of time a doctor can tend to a new patient.

"This cut is a crisis in the making," declared Frances Quinn, the president of the Doctor's Council.

To dramatize their alarm over the timing change, doctors staged a rally outside the Queens Hospital Center.

"Our mission is to make our patients as healthy as possible. If we're not able to address everything in the 20-minute limit, we're going to miss something. That's why we're concerned," Dr. Jasmine Sandhu said.

Doctors claim they face a myriad of difficulties with new patients. Often it's beyond the medical.

"Many don't speak English. Frequently we have to get help to get the patient's history. All this takes time," Dr. Sameer Misral noted.

Dr. Quinn added, "The first appointment with the patient is about building trust. It cannot be rushed."

Doctors who are engaged in a contract dispute with the hospitals corporation say they are gravely concerned about staff morale and more importantly patient safety if they are not given adequate time with a physician. No one from Health and Hospitals has responded to PIX11 News' request for comment.

Judy Wessler is a patient advocate who shares her concerns over the shorter visits with doctors.

"It means abbreviated sloppy care. If it's a first visit for a new patient, you gotta develop a new relationship and you don't do that in 20 minutes," Wessler said.

It's all a matter of time. The doctors say every minute counts and they hope the city listens to their concerns and rolls back on the shorter time, and allows doctors to utilize the time they need to provide quality health care.