Like most people with appointments, for me, waiting is the epitome of annoyance. As I sit impatiently waiting for my appointment, I think about the millions of people who don’t have access to proper healthcare. Why do we expect our healthcare providers to be ready and take us on time? What’s the big deal if we have to wait just a few more minutes to be seen? Why is it okay for us to make the next person wait while we ponder our forgotten last minute questions?

This scenario reminded me of a summer job I had while in college. I worked for a non-profit who represented car dealers. At that time, the major car company put out a set of rules dealers had to follow otherwise they would not receive their escrow payout. They would have to sell a certain number of cars, extend “superior” service to their customers and would have to change their service department rules. For example, if I had made an appointment two months ago for an oil change and Mr. X came in without an appointment, they would have to take both of us at the same time. So what is the point of making an appointment? If the car dealers did not follow this rule, then they would not get their payment. So would that work with chiropractors, dentists, doctors, massage therapists? I think not.

We have let the fast paced lifestyle America has raised us in to overtake our daily lives. Stress is the number one factor in common with nearly every illness. Heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, just to name a few are all stress related. We need to take a step back and not get caught up in the hullabaloo. Make your appointments ahead of time, leave earlier than you should for the appointment, keep track of any questions or concerns you have for your doctor and finally GO. The worst is when you make the appointment and cancel, go late or are a no show. You just stole time from someone’s schedule, prevented that doctor from helping another patient (and getting paid too) and lost your credibility with your healthcare professional.

Our health is so important to a fulfilling life that we take it for granted. I bet somewhere in an Iraqi, Tanzanian or Indian village, someone is just dying to get an appointment and wait two hours to be seen by a doctor for “mediocre” healthcare. No pun intended.