Becca, you display the sort of "our time is valuable" attitude
which causes physicians to wonder why, when they do so much good,
they're patients don't love them so much.

Trotting out HIPPA is sort of like playing the 'National Security'
card; the use of a camera phone is out. However, if I can hear a
privileged conversation well enough that it would be carried over
my mobile phone, then you've already violated HIPPA. So that doesn't
wash.

Bottom line: my time, I'm the customer (you guys DO so tend to
forget who pays those exorbitant fees and keeps the docs in Mercedes
and Porsches) and what I do with my waiting time, within reason,
is up to me.

Am I of 'such importance?'

Perhaps.

Perhaps I'm a parent, waiting for a call about my child.

Perhaps I'm an executive, coming to the office during work hours
(you know, the work that pays the insurance premium that pay those
receivables?) because the Doc keeps banker's hours. Perhaps it's
just really none of your business and and I don't have to subject
my need to remain in touch during the waiting room 'down time' to
your evaluation and/or derision.

That's it!

There's the answer.

It's really none of your business. I'm the customer, and I do get
to make some of the rules.