John Karwowski, Vascular Surgeon, On Waiting in the Hospital

At one point or another, you’ve probably found yourself waiting in a hospital. Whether you were there for a joyous occasion, or a somber one, you’ve more than likely had to sit down next to dozens of other people and wait for an update on your friend’s or family member’s well-being. It can be a difficult and boring wait. Luckily, however, there are a variety of ways that you can fight the boredom of the hospital waiting room.

Use the Time Productively
There are a myriad of reasons that you could be visiting the hospital. You could be there for your niece or nephew’s birth, or for your grandparent’s surgery or anything in between. Depending on the severity of the situation, you might be able to use that time in the waiting room productively. If there’s a particular project that you’ve been meaning to complete, why not use your newfound free time to get it done? You could get some actual work done, like writing and sending emails or completing reports , or you could work on your taxes or even make a sweeping to-do list of all the little things you need to accomplish in the month. Use this time effectively, if you can. Make the most of the situation, especially since you’ll probably be losing out on valuable time that you would otherwise be working.

Play Some Games
It’s the digital age! Everyone has a smartphone or smart device within arm’s reach at all times. Luckily, these devices allow us to engage in a bevy of activities and distractions, like video games. Whether you have an Android phone or an iPhone, both operating systems’ app stores are rich and full of games for the casual and hardcore gamer alike. Want to get in on the latest gaming craze and play Fortnite? You can! Or if that’s too much for you, there’s nothing wrong with the classics, like Angry Birds. There are hundreds of other kinds of games that can distract you from the harsh realities of the hospital.

Eat Something!
Hospitals are open 24/7. Because of this, you might be stuck in the waiting room for long hours at any given moment. When you’re pulling such long and often strange hours, chances are you’re going to get hungry. What better way to kill some time than by eating? Head over to the cafeteria and check out what the local hospital scene has cooking. Believe it or not, but you can find some genuinely delicious food at a hospital. And if the hospital’s menu isn’t to your liking, you can probably find something quick and filling within a reasonable distance of the building.

About John Karwowski

John Karwowski is an experienced and dedicated medical professional who's been practicing for several decades. More specifically, John Karwowski is a tenured vascular surgeon who's practiced around the country providing top-notch service to hundreds of clients. John Karwowski is currently based out of Baltimore, Maryland, but he has practiced out of New York City and Miami.