"I have two doctors, my left leg and my right."
- G. M. Trevelyan - English Author and Academic (1876-1962)
I've never been a huge fan of doctors. The doctor my mom took me too when I was a little kid had a deep voice and he looked like Herman Munster from "The Munsters." Although I lked Herman Munster better. It was scary. I will wholeheartedly admit it. Today, as I have aged, doctors have become a part of the regular routine. If you can appreciate longetivity, you have to suck it up and make your appointments. What I have not been prepared for these days is the lack of compassion and sensitivity that I have witnessed recently.
What I have witnessed is the medical profession is in the business of making money. Profitability has taken the place of patient care. Merger after merger of primary care offices, joining under the blankets corporate business, have resulted in less than stellar patient care. From prescription availability to actually being able to speak to a "real" human being on the phone has become a travesty. Let's get this straight...I do not want to text for an entire week to get my prescription filled or to make an appointment. I do not want to create an id and password to see the results of an MRI. I want my doctor who ordered the labs or precedures to call me, or call me into the offce and have the results explained to me. Further, if I have a major concern and voice my concerns clearly and logically in person it is my right to do so without being denied care.. Emails do not give the appropriate care. They can be ignored. I do not want to be dropped as a patient with no explanation given. Medical care is just that..."CARE." It means that no matter what the circumstances, every patient should come first.
I understand that many patients come into the office expecting miracles when they haven't taken the appropriate steps for their own health care. Frustrating and aggravating as that might be, that's why doctors and nurses took their oaths. Lifestyle changes are mandatory for better health and longevity. The consequences can be extremely serious if we push aside our own responsibilties for better health. However, patient care still matters too.
We pay the price when we ignore what is healthy. Doctors pay the price when they pass judgement and show their insensitivity. It really is that cut and dry. Health care is at the top of people's concerns. It's expensive even when you have benefits. This is why we need to expect the very best from both the patient and the doctors who administer care.
