The Waiting Room 2012

This insightful documentary, produced by PBS, takes viewers inside Highlands Hospital situated in Oakland, California. The film begins with patients arriving by bus to the Emergency Room, highlighting a system where medical attention is granted on a first-come, first-served basis. This approach means individuals are seen in the order of their arrival rather than the urgency of their medical issues, with the notable exception of cases requiring immediate care in the trauma room, where doctors prioritize these emergencies by placing the waiting room on hold.

Throughout the documentary, we meet various patients, each lacking health insurance. One particularly poignant moment features a man who reveals his employer reduced his salary, justifying it by stating that others could easily replace him and do the same job for less. In another revealing scene, a doctor is shown making a phone call, attempting to press a colleague into taking on a patient he feels is beyond his capability.

The reasons for seeking treatment at Highlands Hospital differ widely among patients: an unemployed father brings his daughter in for treatment of strep throat, a confrontational patient requires dialysis, and another seeks relief from painful bone spurs. Regardless of their conditions, the dedicated medical staff consistently offers them compassionate care, navigating the difficulties of an overburdened healthcare system.

As the night progresses and the doctors near the end of their shifts, the waiting area transforms from bustling to calm, with only a mere dozen patients remaining. This brings a bitter-sweet realization—while all issues are addressed to some extent, not every problem can be solved in this environment. One doctor candidly shares that many individuals who pursued a career in medicine were inspired by the heroic depictions of doctors in popular television shows. This 1 hour and 21-minute documentary ultimately sheds light on the realities of medical care in underfunded hospitals, revealing the dedication and empathy that drives healthcare workers in challenging conditions.