Health Care

I going to get on my soap box for a few minutes here.  What is going on with health care??

I've had a series of annoyances with medical professionals lately.  This is spurred by calling a doctor to have an "answering service" tell me to call back after 1:30pm.  They were at lunch.  I called at 11:45am.  REALLY?  You're going to lunch for almost 2 hours?

1. The dentist.  I had to go back to the dentist at the beginning of last week because I had chipped a tooth or broken part of a filling.  Before I made it to the dentist, I had part of another filling fall out.  Irritates me because I haven't had it that long.  I get to the dentist's office.  My appointment was at 10:30 am.  I think I finally got in the chair at 11am.  I asked him "How long are fillings supposed to last?"  He spouts off with some cover my butt type of response.  I understand that they can't last forever but to only last a few years...  Something isn't right.  Okay whatever.... He works on fixing the filling that had fallen out.  His assistant asks about the other tooth and he says well if we have to numb her you're not going to get a lunch.  UM, I'm sitting right here!  As they get closer to finishing my tooth, he keeps rushing the process.  He was able to fix both teeth.  However, the first tooth isn't quite lining up with my bite and feels rough in one spot.  So now I'm going to have to make another trip to Parkersburg to have them properly fix it.  After that, I'm finding a new dentist.  I'll gladly take recommendations.

2. The dermatologist.  I've always had issues with this one.  This is the medical practice that is taking a 2 hour lunch!  I have never seen the actual doctor, only the physician's assistant.  Okay whatever.  I've sat in their waiting room for HOURS before being seen for a 15 minute appointment.  I'm so over this one.  I just have a follow up appointment and I don't think I'm going back.  Don't care at this point.

3. New physician - When I got back from Jamaica in November, I had a letter from my regular doctor saying she was quitting her practice.  UGH.  The office said they would transfer my files and have the new doctor contact me to set up an appointment.  I don't hear anything.  Finally in January, I call, explain what I was told and they say well that isn't how it works.  Okay whatever.  I set up an appointment.  I get to the office early and sat in the waiting room maybe 15 minutes past my appointment time.  A nurse comes to get me and do vitals, little bit of background info, etc.  I go to the exam room and wait for 1 hour and 30 minutes!  The doctor comes in asks what medicine I'm on, if I need refills, wants to set up another exam appointment and off I go.  This took all of maybe 20 minutes.

What the crap is going on in health care?  Whatever happened to putting the patient first?  I have been blessed with "knowing" all my previous physicians by family connections.  However, the treatment I've received the past year is lacking.  I understand some of the difficulties that medical professionals face when it comes to exams, timing, planning, etc.  I get that things don't always go according to plan.  I get that sometimes things happen and others are affected.  I just don't get why physicians and other professionals aren't doing their best to rectify the situation.  Why don't they apologize for wasting my time and resources?  It is almost like they know that if you leave their practice, another patient will come in.  Did no one teach them that it takes more money to attract a NEW customer than it does to keep an EXISTING customer?  Maybe I should copy that page out of my marketing text books and share it with them.