I have new health insurance since the last time I visited the doctor, for some bureaucratic reason that I do not understand. But that meant that I am no longer tied to a primary care physician (whom I never saw) with an office in a suburban office park. I have to say, I never felt I got good care at that suburban medical center. I think they were more interested in building expensive new buildings than in actually providing good patient care.
When I decided I needed to see a doctor this morning, I walked two blocks up the street to the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center. I filled out the preliminary forms, which included the question: “What is your primary language? Check one: English. Portuguese. Cape Verdean/Cruiole. Spanish. French. Other.” I was pretty sure I heard all five of those languages being spoken around me in the bright, busy, slightly messy waiting room.
Everyone was friendly. The woman who set up my account apologized when my insurance company kept her on hold: “Sorry to keep you waiting, hon.” I was shown to an examination room, and sat there for about forty minutes until the doctor arrived. He was the nicest, most humane M.D. from whom I have received care for at least the past decade. He talked with me at length, told me that I probably had a viral infection, that a viral infection with symptoms similar to mine has been going around, that I probably started eating solid food too soon. His manner was reassuring and healing.
The doctor told me to eat only clear broth, jello, and apple juice; just a little as a time. When I feel ready, I’m allowed to graduate to weak tea, rice, mashed potatoes, and other bland food, “but” as the doctor told me, smiling, “with nothing that makes food taste so good.” It may be another week before things settle down.
As I say, it was the friendliest, best, most reassuring health care visit I have had in years. And this was not at a fancy suburban clinic, but at an inner-city clinic which provides free care to anyone who needs it. (Your remarks on the current moral crisis in American health care may be included in the comments below; Marxists, don’t hold back.)
Ah. You would love the Midwest. My doctor is sane, takes his time, shares his favorite poems with me, cures what ails me with the full knowledge that I won’t take pain medication unless I’m in acute misery (so he talks to me about alternative stuff), always has freebie meds to hand out, and he refuses to move his office from a tucked away spot near some woods to the brand new, expensive, overpriced hospital (with a fountain in the front acreage). Why should he, he says, when the money spent on the hospital would have been better spent on *preventative* care in the community. Besides, he says, where he is, he can see deer out his office window. I love him.
And I hope you feel better soon. I’m glad, I think, it wasn’t food poisoning after all. Now you can eat fruit with out worrying.
..bewared the doc handing out freebie meds from the Phram Reps…
I’m glad to hear that you were able find a good doctor, who diagnosed your problem as a virus infection. Regarding medical care, I feel fortunate to have a doctor who, in spite of being in a large group practice, does listen to what I say and actually called me recently to check on how I was doing after several days of taking the antibiotic she had prescribed. The medical care system in this country really needs to be improved, and I hope the new administration can accomplish that goal.
I’m really glad it went well. That doctor sounds excellent.
I’ve found that the best care in Southern California is the most expensive: my nurse-practitioner who doesn’t take any insurance (only cash), and our daughter’s pediatrician who requires a yearly fee (sort of a boutique practice).
*sigh*
My mother went to the hospital 8 years ago with severe anemia. Several doctors checked her out and performed tests, yet there seemed to be no coordination between them. One doctor said he suspected something was in her gut but couldn’t see it in a colonoscopy and CAT scan. So, did they prescribe a follow-up colonoscopy or any followup plan? No. Eight years later she’s in the hospital and told she has colon cancer. Although our health is of course our own responsibility, I wonder if follow-up would have saved my mother’s life—and saved the insurer and taxpayers a lot of money.
As a doctor who heard this story said, “so many doctors, so few healers.”