That is the thing. If all Doctors or their staff would just let people know that things were running behind it would go a long ways in taking the sting out of the wait, and I would think most people would understand.

Why not tell people they are running an hour behind? It would allow people to better use their time.

My wife has a doctor that will make his first appointment for 8:30 then not show up until 9:30. Always blames it on having to see after his mother.

Doctors are just people with the same familial obligations as the rest of us, be it unruly teenagers, ailing parents, a flat tire, a burst pipe, a pissed spouse, and the rest.

WE make them demigods because of their oaths and obligations. It ain't all Mercedes and boatloads of money all the time for these cats. They have the same difficulties as the rest of us.

Treat them and be compassionate to them as you would any other harried friend.

Healthgrades.com and vitals.com are good places to find reviews on doctors as well as their normal wait times. I've only waited more than 20 mins once in the last 15 years and I was informed of the issue upon arrival. About half the doctors I've been to were nothing but licensed drug dealers while some were genuinely interested in trying to give the best treatment possible and took the time necessary to listen and ask good questions. That said, no way I'd go to school for that long and put up with all the crap they have to only to make the little bit of money a general practitioner normally makes.

My doctor is a big believer in the PSA blood test. He never has done the wave, although I have had the pleasure by other doctors. A doctor once told me that the wave won't feel but about 50% of the prostrate and the PSA is better.

OMG. I had to wait 45 minutes for a general surgeon to spend 5 minutes with me this morning. I'm so pissed.

Dr. B

Did you give the innocent front desk clerk a piece of your mind