RANT: Doctor Visit

I really like my family doctor. We've been seeing her for about 9 years and she has usually been courteous, thorough, relatively on time, and knowledgeable. Unfortunately, her office is 30 km away but that's never really been an issue for me since I so appreciate her expertise.

Recently I've had a few medical concerns and decided to book a full physical appointment. I know she gets a bit cranky if I try to ask too many questions in a regular office visit so I figured booking the extra time for a physical would afford me the luxury to discuss some of my concerns. Apparently NOT!

Dressed in those flimsy paper jammies I strategically placed my little note paper that had my list of medical concerns on her desk and waited for her to enter the exam room.

Personally, I don't think this is a hugely extensive list. My expectations were a couple referrals, a lab requisition or two, and maybe a few questions about lifestyle, etc.

Much to my frustration, Dr. N. didn't even READ the list!! She took one glance at it and said, "Is this your list of issues?"

"Yes."

"I don't have time for this! You are scheduled for a physical exam and that's it."

"You mean I have to make a separate appointment for EACH concern?"

"I am so busy.... blah, blah, blah.... A regular appointment is 10 minutes and a physical exam is 30 minutes... blah, blah, blah...."

I look her straight in the eyes and repeat, "So you're telling me I have to make a separate appointment for each issue?"

"Lisa, you know our policy.... blah, blah, blah....  I'll let you pick ONE of theses concerns to discuss while I do your physical exam."

"Well, Dr. N. there are actually two here that I feel are critical."

"Pick one."

My mind starts to race. Pick one?!?!
~ I can deal with fuzzy vision for awhile longer and maybe I'll give my optometrist a second chance for a proper diagnosis (another rant for another day!)
~ The itchy scalp started out with excruciating pain and has now dulled to a bothersome itchy spot for the past month. Could be skin cancer but not likely. I'll get it checked later.
~ Fatigue? I'm old. Whatever.
~ Tight lungs. If it gets really bad I'll go to emergency.

Now we're down to two. Pain in my pelvis / hip area is the reason I made this appointment in the first place. It's been getting steadily worse for the past several months to the point where I have to stop walking when my hips seize up.

Incidentally, I had severe chest pain on Friday last week which caused me to phone 811 with concerns that I was having a mild heart attack. The 811 nurse told me it was most likely not a heart attack but that I should follow up with my doctor and if it happens again call 911 immediately. No problem, I have an appointment with my doc on Monday.

I failed to mentioned that I only had ONE appointment on Monday which was apparently only good for ONE concern.

I know, the suspense is killing you. I chose to discuss my pelvic pain issue because it's been going on longer and interferes with my regular life. The chest pain was probably a bad case of indigestion or esophageal spasm.

I hope.

On the way home I was thinking that it's no wonder our emergency rooms are packed to full and overflowing! Doctors can't be bothered to tend to their patients and patients feel shafted so they don't bother going to the doctor. Their minor issues become critical health concerns and they are forced to head to the emergency ward with their very lives potentially being at risk; because you can only talk about ONE issue per appointment at your family physician's office.

And whatever happened to that good old fashioned family physician anyway? I'm not too young to remember the days when you could walk into the exam room and chat about all your health issues in one appointment. Heck, that fatigue you're experiencing is likely related to those tight lungs and could have something to do with that chest pain you had..... NAH. That's ridiculous, right doc? Just ONE issue at a time, folks.

At the end of my visit today I did get a requisition for blood work and a pelvic ultrasound. She wants me to come in for a follow-up once I've had those tests done. I think I will book 6 appointments all in one day and pack a lunch.