If I watch one more episode of Rolie Polie Olie, I'll lose my mind! Nothing against the little cartoon chap and his jolly friends, but the last time I saw him, I was sitting in the waiting room of my son's physician for two excruciatingly, long hours.

I, as all of you, have wasted enormous amounts of time in doctors' waiting areas. I once quit an office because of this. I was headed out of town and squeezed in an early visit with my ophthalmologist. I had the second appointment of the day-surely, I would be seen on time at that early hour!

I entered the building, signed in, chose a comfy seat in the corner, and began to watch the morning news. 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes passed…where was the doctor? I asked for an update. "He will be right with you," answered the receptionist. After an hour and a half, I stormed the window to announce my departure. "No! Don't go!" she yelled frantically. "He'll take you right now!" But, I had waited too long. I said that I was taking my business elsewhere and left the building. Did the earth move? Did a crash of thunder open the heavens? No, nothing happened at all. And my new doctor's office kept me waiting just as long.

Doctors should care about the wait times in their offices. Who wants to examine a patient who is angry, frustrated and hungry? A Hong Kong study published in the journal of Health Economics (2004), found that patients who experienced longer waiting times were more likely to seek alternative care. Researchers in the United Kingdom found that patients were satisfied as long as their wait was no longer than 37 minutes, and that increasing the number of doctors in an office helped reduce the total waiting time.

Can we improve this situation? These suggestions may help:

1. When making an appointment, ask for the times that stay closest to the schedule; early morning or just after lunch often work well.
2. When you arrive at an office, inquire how far behind the doctor is running. If the wait is long, see if you can leave and stay in contact via your cell phone.
3. If your doctor is interested, suggest that patient wait times be monitored for one week. The staff should log each patient's arrival, followed by the time that he or she enters an exam room. This info can be used to adjust the office workflow.

1. Read a book. Life races too quickly for most of us. We rarely stop and smell the roses. Bring that novel you've been dying to read and enjoy yourself.
2. Answer your email. Many PDA's and cell phones offer Internet access. Turn the doctor's waiting room into your own branch office.
3. Impress your friends-brush up on the details of Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt's breakup and Prince Charles and Camilla's trials and tribulations. Gossip magazines are usually available throughout the waiting area.
4. Knit or needlepoint. Reawaken your interest in these lost domestic arts.
5. Learn a new language by eavesdropping in on the cell phone conversations of those around you. This works best in a multi-cultural neighborhood.