Waiting room boredom is real, and doesnt appear to be improving.
There are many reasons for a long wait time, but that doesnt make it any less aggravating.
Practical Activities
What are some activities that you dread and are always putting off?
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Here are some ideas for using your wait time to support your physical health.
In a 2017 study in France, researchers cultured magazines found in hospital waiting rooms.
Waiting With Children
Waiting with children can be much more difficult than waiting alone.
Consider the appetite and attention span of the typical child.
Many waiting rooms provide toys and books, but it can be helpful to pack your own bag.
Here are a few ideas for items:
Why the Wait?
One of the problems is urgency.
Unpredictability is another reason, especially in primary care.
Receptionists schedule what they guess is an appropriate amount of time for an appointment.
Its sometimes even the case that a longwait time is a good sign.
Lack of time has often been cited as the a barrier to practicing solid evidence-based medicine in primary care.
Vitals Index.9th annual Vitals wait time report released.
2014;349:g7262.
2013;59(5):479-481.
