Equipment may break down.
An obstetrician may bedelivering a baby.
There may even be emergencies.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
What Is an Acceptable Waiting Time?
In general, the more specialized the healthcare provider, the more patient you may need to be.
If you visit an internist who consistently makes you wait an hour, that is too long.
If you find a brain surgeon who makes you wait an hour, that may not be unusual.
The fair wait time will also depend on therelationship you have with your healthcare provider.
take a stab at be patient.
If not, then reschedule.
If you’re told the wait will be 15 minutes, then speak up on minute 16.
The squeaky wheel does get the grease.
You don’t have to be loud or demanding, but being firm and definite is fair.
Politely ask what the hold up is, and how much longer you’ll need to wait.
Again, decide whether the wait time is acceptable.
It may not be possible for a sub-specialist or a healthcare provider who is in great demand.
You’ll have to decide if that particular healthcare provider is worth the wait.
You may have no choice.
