Rating waiting

doi:10.1136/bmj.324.7351.1443/c

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Margaret Sutherland, research coordinator, department of public health and general practice

Christchurch School of Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand

Have you ever sat in your waiting room for 15 minutes, thumbed through the magazines, listened to the music, looked at the posters or paintings adorning the walls, and noted the suitability of the toys provided? Is the reception area positioned so the receptionist can see the patients, without confidential telephone conversations being audible? How long could you tolerate sitting there? As a researcher, I have visited more than 100 general practitioners and have been surprised by the effect the time spent in a waiting room …