>Our child doctor spends less than 5 minutes with our son in his regular visits (Each visit costs $15). I don't remember hearing anything important from him. Each time it's about 30-45 minutes wait period in the reception room...

Then find another pediatrician. We've used the same practice for more than 19 years (since our older son was born). For a regular physical, we'll get 5-15 minutes with a nurse going over what's happened since the last exam, etc., then doing weight, height, eye screening, and so forth. Then, we'll have 15-20 minutes with the doctor. These days, since I have teenage boys, I'll stay just a couple of minutes to raise any questions I have, then leave so whichever boy it is can have his physical exam, as well as a chance for him to talk to the doctor privately.

As for sick visits, they might be as little as 5 minutes with the doctor, but only when he or she can diagnose in that little time. Normally, it's more like 10-15 to listen to the history of the illness and do the necessary exam.

Wait time varies, especially with the season (definitely longer waits in the winter), but in 19 years, there've only been a couple of times where the wait has been so long that I've gone to the desk to make sure we weren't missed.

You don't have to put up with bad service in a doctor's office any more than you do in any business. Shop around for a practice that makes you comfortable.

Tamar