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History of Medicine

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A banner with the words The Art of Learning Medicine Collection in blue

A black and white drawing of a clinic waiting room full of patients.

'The Wait'
From: The Art of Learning Medicine, figure 271, page 305)
©May H. Lesser


Unfortunately, an integral part of most clinic visits is an interminable wait. In the emergency room many nonemergency patients and their relatives also waited. The expressions and postures seem to be the same at all medical centers . . . some playing with a child, others eating, many silent and worrying. In the same part of the hospital were also the clinics for pediatric, orthopedic, and mental retardation patients; I got such a feeling of apathy. I had to go to a busy restaurant to get enough life to finish the plate.

Last Reviewed: May 11, 2012