February 26, 2004
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Try Try Again
So after waiting the obligatory month for an appointment, I got to the new doctor’s clinic early, signed in easily, was called back to the room to wait. And waited freaking 45 minutes for the doctor to finally come in. During this time, one of the roving nurses opined that she was “overbooked.” Now I was intending to make this person my new PCP and also to get my yearly physical. When she finally did come in, after a less than enthusiastic apology for being so late, she rushed through some basic questions that I had already answered on a form, asking some of them twice right in a row, like “Do you smoke?” two seconds and “Do you smoke?” Then when she got the picture I was expecting a physical, she whipped out one of those little pointer light things and shone it in my ears and nose and mouth so fast I’m sure she saw nothing. She checked my heart while I’m still just sitting in the office chair and felt my tummy and my ankles. All of this at the speed of light. Clearly, she didn’t have time for the pap smear so I said it could wait. All of this took about 10 minutes for which I’m sure I’ll be billed at least $300. What I did get accomplished was to have her order a screening colonoscopy for me. She said it would be about 2 weeks before I’d hear from the scheduler because that’s how long it took to get the orders in. Needless to say, I’m going to have to look further for a new primary care doc. That was ridiculous and scary. And enraging. Try try again.
Deep Thought: The way I see it, kids need exercise more than they need ice cream. So when I worked as an ice cream man, driving an ice cream truck, I would try to drive fast enough that the kid wouldn’t catch me, but not so fast that he’d give up right away. Some kids will chase you for eight or nine blocks.
Today I am grateful for: Perspective
Comments (6)
Finding decent doctors who take the time to listen is annoyingly difficult to do anymore. I have to go out of state to my GP… because of that very reason. Some people don’t fit the “norm” when it comes to their health needs, and I can’t stand doctors who just shove you into a box with everyone else and if it doesn’t work it must be in your head. AUGH! Good luck finding a good doctor! Some day I hope I can find one that’s local and not 2 hours away!
how frustrating! Hope you can find one with a little time. It seems rare these days.
Ugh! Finding a good doctor is tough today. I have to make my appointments 6 to 8 months in advance and then I get about 20 minutes of time. And what’s really sad about the whole thing is … my doctor is one of the GOOD ones. Whatever happened to house calls?
I just hate going to the doctors.
But I do love ice cream trucks; how thoughtful you were to provide those kiddies with exercise!
Take care,
Journaljourney
Oh no, that would not be a PCP to have. If she’s overbooking patients to that degree, she obviously is not the kind to actually spend time with patients. And she seemed to have trouble focusing as well, repeating questions that close together. Keep looking. She’s not the one to do the colonoscopy is she? I hope not.
You wonder what these medical people are thinking…if that happened to the doctor, she’d have a fit…. totally unacceptable. I think your’re wise to move on.