We Asked a Hundred Pediatricians How They Use Their Wait Time. Most Said They Don't.

"How do you utilize wait times at your clinic?”

We asked that question over and over at 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics annual conference in San Diego. The most common answer was a pause, a laugh, and then some version of "honestly, nothing."

We heard it from solo practitioners and from large group practices. Families sit in the waiting room or exam room, kids get restless, parents (or patients) scroll their phones, and then the visit starts. Nobody we talked to was proud of it. Most had just never been asked.

That's a lot of time going unused. Every family that walks through your door spends part of their visit waiting, and those minutes add up across a day, a week, a year. It's also time when kids are curious and parents are already thinking about their child's health. If you want to build health literacy, it's hard to find a better window.

From October 2nd to 6th, our team was in the exhibit hall talking with pediatricians, nurses, practice managers, and other professionals who care about child health. We loved every conversation.

Once the wait time question was on the table, people had plenty to say. Many told us they repeat the same basics in every visit, like handwashing, nutrition, sleep, and what to expect from a vaccine, and wish families came into the exam room already knowing some of it. Others talked about how a long, boring wait sets the tone for the visit before they've even said hello.

This is why we built Heydoc Pediatrics. Our consoles turn the waiting room into a place where kids play games that teach them about their own health. Kids are engaged, parents are happier, and the wait becomes part of the visit.

We couldn't have done this conference without the people behind the booth. A huge thank you to the Heydoc support staff, who kept everything running for five long days, and to our medical student volunteers, who gave up their time to talk with attendees and share why this matters to them as future physicians. We're grateful for all of you.

And to everyone who stopped by to chat, try a console, or tell us about your practice: thank you. It was great to meet you.

So, how do you utilize your wait times?

If your answer is "we don't," you're in good company, and it's an easy thing to change.

Contact us today to talk about gamifying your waiting room experience to improve health literacy and patient satisfaction.