No patient wants to wait to be seen by a doctor, and many patients expect there to be some wait before their appointment begins. However, if they have the impression that a medical practice is not respecting their schedule, they will become frustrated. A medical practice needs to avoid excessive wait times. Over 3/4th of the population say wait times are a significant factor when selecting a doctor. Nearly a quarter of patients have said they have switched doctors solely because of excessive wait times.   Communication is vital in these situations. Medical practice needs to be upfront with a patient if they are running behind and giving them an accurate estimation of their wait time in the waiting room. A patient will appreciate honesty and a staff trying their best to keep them informed. Saying “I don’t know” or “In 15 minutes” every 20 minutes will lead to a negative experience.