The science of why magazines are always out of date in GPs waiting rooms (This is Hugh!)

telegraph.co.uk ^ | Dec. 12, 2014 | Sarah Knapton, Science Editor

[PROCON]

It is a curious phenomenon that magazines in doctor’s waiting rooms are always out of date.

Now a study has discovered the reason. The more recent the publication, the more likely it is to be filched by light-fingered patients.

Researchers at the University of Auckland found that GP waiting rooms generally contain older magazines no matter how hard staff try to keep supplies up to date.

And patients hoping to find something light-hearted to take their mind off a tooth or tummy ache are also likely to be disappointed.

For the magazines that get left behind are not only out of date, but also far more serious such as National Geographic or the Economist.

[PROCON]

Lead author Professor Bruce Arroll said: “General practice waiting rooms contain mainly old magazines.

This man is brilliant.

We need more studies like these, it's worth the gubmint money..

[FlingWingFlyer]

I spend most of my time trying to figure out which office staff member’s mailing label was cut out of the cover of each magazine. Match the magazine with the staff member. Pretty cool game.

[doc1019]

Not to nitpick but do you know what “hugh” means?

[Jet Jaguar]

I cut the address labels of my NRA magazines and take them when I go.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

Are you series?

[Jet Jaguar]

It’s series.

[doc1019]

LOL!

[PROCON]

Not to nitpick but do you know what “hugh” means?

Yes, I'm an aficionado in FReeper lore.

Please be series...just sayin..

[doorgunner69]

"I cut the address labels of my NRA magazines and take them when I go."

My wife "disappears" mine without my asking, damn sure not giving them away!

[Telepathic Intruder]

I don’t care what the date is, just something besides Home & Gardens, Women’s Health, or Sports Illustrated would be fine (the swimsuit issue is OK, but good luck finding one).

[GraceG]

We should convince the Daily beast that since they are “internet only” they should supply tablets on their tab to waiting rooms loaded with their internet magazines....

My goal is to bankrupt them, heheheh

[naturalman1975]

For the magazines that get left behind are not only out of date, but also far more serious such as National Geographic or the Economist.

This is a bad thing?

[Proud2BeRight]

Do people actually touch the magazines in a waiting room?

[DariusBane]

When in a doctors waiting room I won’t touch anything that other patients have handled. They are here, the patients, because the are SICK!

I wont touch anything and wash my hands as soon as I leave plus sanitize the bottom of my shoes. Burn any shoe laces that drag.

I know. I have issues...

[onedoug]

“Call da AmberLamps.”

[PROCON]

Do people actually touch the magazines in a waiting room?

I do...What?....is this bad?....Am I going to die?....Oh, no...The Huge Manatee....

[doc1019]

Yet, something else I’m apparently missing,.

[Swordmaker]

Dang. I coulda saved him all of that study. I saw our premium mags like National Geographic walk out the door as soon as they arrive. Same with American Rifleman, Smithsonian, etc. . . but old copies of People seem to multiply like rabbits in the corner, appearing from nowhere, always with the labels cut off. Magazine elfs? Our office opened in its current location in 1990. . . but the other day I found some People Magazines from 1983. What the heck???

[freebilly]

Geez, anyone with common sense knows this....

[bluejean]

The most depressing thing is rummaging for something to alleviate boredom and finding out the only rags are six month old issues of Colonoscopy Week and Fungus Today. Thank God for smart phones!