A new article in the Journal of Participatory Medicine tackles the problem of long wait times at doctors’ offices, a leading cause of patient dissatisfaction. “Waiting Room Remedy: Doctor Pays for Delays (The Doctor’s Perspective)” by Pamela Wible, MD offers a solution that shows respect for patients, at the same time explaining why many of her fellow physicians fall behind in their appointments; it’s a reality that will not go away entirely. She lets neither party off the hook, concluding that the real solution is a combination of mutual respect and clear communication of expectations from both sides.

Kathleen O'Malley

Kathleen O'Malley has served as the Managing Editor of the Journal of Participatory Medicine since 2010. Before that, she worked as an acquisitions editor and managed the Publishers’ Circle journal licensing program at Medscape for many years. She was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in 2008 and continues to thrive, thanks in great part to a caring group of surgeons, physicians, nurses, social workers and fellow survivors who all practice participatory medicine.