Since I got a new job in August, I also got new
insurance. I'm spoiled...my previous employer had a PPO plan and I got to
choose who I wanted to see whenever I wanted. My new plan is an HMO and
requires a Primary Care Physician. Now most normal people probably already have
one of those. Thanks to moving, I do not. I don't really remember having one
main doctor I went to in Florida for everything, either.
Anyway, I did some research and chose a group close
to where I live. And I was assigned a doctor from that group by my HMO
provider. No problem, I was thinking. I picked the group, so I'm okay with the
doctor I was given.
And then I had my first appointment with her. The
office staff was very nice and professional. I was told to arrive a half hour
early to get my new patient paperwork filled out. After doing so, I only waited
about 5 minutes before being called back. The nurse that took my temperature,
weight, blood pressure, and pulse was very nice. After these initial tests, she
took me to the exam room and asked me some questions about current
prescriptions. She also asked if there was anything else I wanted the doctor to
address aside from the new patient check-up. I actually did have a few things,
so I told her and watched as she typed the notes in my computer file. She then
left me to wait.
Less than five minutes later, the doctor arrived. She
introduced herself and shook my hand. Then she sat at the computer and looked
over my file. She asked me the same questions about my prescriptions the nurse
did. This was my first issue as she should have been able to see what the nurse
had written when I’d answered the questions a few minutes earlier. But,
whatever.
Then she asked me if I’d always been the weight I
am. No, I’ve gained over the years, but I am trying to lose. She then proceeded
to tell me that I can’t just exercise and expect to lose the weight; I have to
be mindful of what I ate too. She didn’t bother to ask what I was doing to try
to lose weight or if I had lost any. She just launched into her nutritionist spiel.
This was “strike two”.
She then proceeded to “check” me. She looked in my
ears and throat, barely. Checked my lungs and heart and then ran her hand down
my throat and leg (weird). I assume her hand at my throat was to check it, but
she barely did so I can’t be too sure.
And then she was heading out the door with orders to
get blood work done. No mention of “is there anything else?” or the issues I’d
addressed with the nurse. No questions about my medical history (which is
sketchy, at best). No second glance. I was completely dumb founded.
I have to admit, in a moment of stressed out, I
actually cried in my car when it was all over. I felt like I’d been run over. I
was already super stressed about a new doctor (I hate going to the doctor!!),
and then everything happened as quickly as you read through it. It was all
little more than my emotions could handle.
While the quickness of the time the doctor was
actually in the room with me should have been strike three, it was only part of
it. The other part was the fact that nothing was asked about my medical
history. Now, normally, that probably wouldn’t be a big deal. But, as I said, I
have a bit of a sketchy medical history. When I was eleven I was hospitalized
with a build-up of fluid around my heart. Every doctor I have EVER been to
since then, when they see that on my information, had spent at least five
minutes questioning me about it and any residual effects I may or may not be
having (I’m about to be 35). I even had one doctor, five years ago, ask me to
contact the hospital I had been in and see about getting the records sent over
to him so he could have my file and make sure all is still well (this is the
doctor I’m having to replace due to insurance changes and him selling his
practice three months ago…super sad face!).
So after the initial shock of what happened wore
off, I got mad and upset. I mean, what’s the point of taking 30 minutes to fill
out paperwork with lists of previous surgeries and conditions and prescriptions
if you’re not going to take the time to talk to me about it. And speaking of prescriptions,
if you can’t find what I’m on based on my misspelling the ridiculous name the
drug has, you are not be looking hard enough! I can type in a misspelled drug
name and find what I’m looking for.
Anyway. After all that, it has been decided I will
not go back. I’m going to change my group and doctor on my HMO information and
see about getting in with another doctor here in town.
Here’s hoping…
