Don't waste a minute of your time! There are a host of things to do while you wait in the outer room, then in the small examination room of your various doctors.

If you only go to the doctor every now and then, you'll probably just focus on the wondrous experience of modern medicine plus insurance and billing.  The first time you go, you spend all your time filling out forms and letting them copy your major documents as though you are planning a trip into a foreign country. 

However, if you have made multiple visits to the same physician, or trips to see multiple specialists, you'll want to try my suggestion at ways to productively use your time waiting...and waiting...and waiting for the nurses and doctors to get to you.

*Read all the magazines that you would never purchase yourself. 

*Watch the soaps or Jerry Springer on the waiting room TV, because like with the magazines, you would never bring that refuse into your home.

*Ponder what illnesses the other people in the room are carrying.  If they don't look scary, ask them.

*Organize your purse.  There are trash cans, just look around.  However, don't toss anything with your personal info on it.  All you need is for someone with an infectious disease to steal you identity.

*Read a novel

*Write a novel.

*Brush up on that foreign language you are studying-chances are that someone else in the waiting room speaks it. 
*Write down things you want to ask the doctor

Once you are in the small exam room, you might:

*Blow your nose on the tissue

*Compare the merits of paper gowns with real cloth ones

*Read the disease charts on the wall and guess which one you have

*Swipe some disposable rubber gloves to use at home

*Take a nap

*Read over the list of things to ask the doctor

*Plan menus for the month

*Pay bills--surely you brought your checkbook? 

When the doctor finally arrives, detain him or her as long as possible. Ask every question imaginable. You waited, and now it's your turn!  Above all, be considerate of the other patients. They are busy trying to finish up their own list of waiting room activities, and the longer you keep the doc, the more they can accomplish.