MADINAH, 30 September 2006 — Hospital waiting rooms are known to be places where people sit (and sit) wondering how long it will take before they get their time with the doctor.
Apparently, according to a report recently in the daily Al-Watan, a common problem in Saudi Arabia is the tendency for patients to barge in on doctors as they are with others, despite signs on private examination rooms that state in clear bold text: “Patient Inside”.
“Some people don’t wait for others to leave the room,” said Amal Al-Juhani, a doctor at a Madinah private hospital. “It’s worse with dentists and gynecologists because patients tend to stay longer for their treatments or consultations. The waiting room therefore turns into a mess.”
The doctor pointed out that clinics are not emergency rooms for a patient to walk in whenever he or she wants to. “Every doctor needs to concentrate to be able to examine his or her patient and to provide the suitable treatment,” said Dr. Ibraheem Abdul Rafi, a surgeon in Al-Muasa Hospital in Madinah.
Abdul Rafi said patients should be tolerant, organized, and appreciative. They also have to contribute in providing a calm and relaxing environment for both the doctor and the patient. “When I am in a doctor’s office I don’t like being annoyed or interrupted until I am done,” said Ahmad Al-Ofi, a citizen.
