The Waiting Room 2012
This unflinching documentary offers a revealing look inside Highland Hospital in Oakland, California, a vital safety-net institution struggling with economic challenges. Through unprecedented access, the film follows patients from various backgrounds as they navigate the emergency room, highlighting the difficulties they face. Staff and caregivers confront the realities of illness, systemic bureaucracy, and the enduring power of hope, creating a poignant portrait of resilience and the human spirit in a time of crisis.
Does The Waiting Room have end credit scenes?
No!
The Waiting Room does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.
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No actors found
External Links and Streaming Options
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Ratings and Reviews for The Waiting Room
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84
Metascore
8.0
User Score
100%
TOMATOMETER
76%
User Score
7.1 /10
IMDb Rating
71
%
User Score
3.6
From 2 fan ratings
3.00/5
From 1 fan rating
Take the Ultimate The Waiting Room Movie Quiz
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The Waiting Room Quiz: Test your knowledge with this quiz about the poignant documentary 'The Waiting Room'.
What is the primary setting of the documentary?
Awards & Nominations for The Waiting Room
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Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for The Waiting Room
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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.
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The Waiting Room Themes and Keywords
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The Waiting Room Other Names and Titles
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Other Names for The Waiting Room
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