I work in a pediatricians office, I can tell you it is not always the physician running behind, it is the patients that make him/her behind. For examples, when our first pt is scheduled at 8:30 and shows up at 8:40 saying, "sorry I am a little late" that puts the rest of the day behind, and this happens a few times a day, the patients at the end of the day are the ones who wait longer. The patient who had blood work ordered, and shows up at the hospital with no order, again we drop everything to get it sent over. Also one patient is scheduled, and they bring along the brother because he has a fever too, they did not schedule this patient, so when we work them in, we do ask that they call ahead, maybe there is a better time to accommodate two patients but they don't care as long as they are seen, now we are behind longer. The parent who shows with her son's physical form that needs signed now because he cannot try out for football unless signed now. Again, we have to put the chart, fill out the form, the physician who should be going on to their next patient has to now review the form and sign it. Medication refills don't even get me started on how many times we have to interrupt for refill because we ask for 48 hour notice, but we usually get a few hours. My favorite is when a patient is brought in by a Mom or Dad and the parent who was not present at the visit, calls and wants the physician to call them so they know what is going on with the child. I know I feel sorry for our physicians, there are many days after office hours, they spend another hour or two doing medications, physical forms, calling parents.

I typically don't wait more than 30-45 minutes before I start asking questions. I went to a doctor one time who always had a waiting room full. When I got there, I asked if everyone was waiting to see him - yep. I just told them to reschedule me right then. Same thing next time. There was no third time.

My time is just as valuable as the doctors, and I have many demands on my time. I don't make people who schedule appointments with me wait and I don't wait long for someone else.

I had an eye doc that had about an 8 hour wait.

I love my rheumatologist, but I often schedule my appt. as the first of the day, and he is always at least 1 1/2 hrs. late. I've asked the nurses if he goes to the hospital to visit patients or just why he is always late, but they say it is just him. I would change drs., but he's really trying to help me find out just why I have bursitis so much in my shoulders. We can't figure out just why yet.:( It keeps me from doing my longarm quilting some days, and right now I have a quilt to finish, and then 3 to bind.

Half an hour is a doddle. I have to bank on between one and a half to a four hour wait. Six hours at the hospital. I always take hand quilting projects with me.

My doctor's office has a sign that says if you having been waiting 15 minutes past your appointment to let them know. I rarely have to wait even the 15 minutes. I understand emergencies, especially at a surgeon or cardiologist, but I will not go to a doctor who overbooks and makes me sit well past my appointment time. Many years ago I had a GP who overbooked so badly that they told you to call before coming to see how far behind they were. I changed doctor's very quickly. My time is as valuable as the doctor's.

30 mins? Not too long of a wait, IMhO. They have barely gotten to work at 8:00.

Now that is ridiculous! You waited?

:D :D I've never had that happen but I've often thought the warning that if you don't cancel 24 hours in advance or just do a no-show that they might charge you for the visit is pretty arrogant. I certainly think that my time is worth something, too.

For the most part, I try to schedule appointments first thing in the morning and am rewarded with fewer excessive wait times. The exception being when they have been delayed making hospital rounds or for emergencies. I've had doctors in the past who kept you waiting a long time but mostly don't have much trouble these days.

I always have a book or my kindle along for the ride and if the waiting room is well stocked with magazines I can get my junk magazine fix, too. :)

I always take my hexes with me.