If it was to see family doctor, I would expect around 1 hr. or so. But I've been seen by dr. within half an hr.

4 hrs. sounds like something at emergency services where one doesn't use a family doctor and not book an appoint and it's non-urgent/non-life threatening.

The reason why I use the hr. long benchmark is when employees request in advance to schedule a dr.'s appointment. So the employee has to estimate and figure out arrival time at work or when they must leave work.

You're right Dancing Dolphin, water for patients would be nice. Even having a tv on, hooked to a news show...

Heck, 2 days ago, my bank apologized for ignoring me and making me wait 40 min. past my appointment....I got a free Starbuck's coffee from them.