The Doctor Dance and The Patient From Hell

Doctors are mysterious creatures. They are type-A personalities, it would seem. Always on the go, seemingly tireless, constantly working. But, with that, comes a certain irritability and brusqueness which we've all felt. For the most part, they seem caring and interested in our woes. But I have seen their other side, the darker one.

Do not question your doctor and be right. At least, more than once. Once may be forgiven but twice? I have done this. I have even argued with a few over treatment and diagnosis. I have dismissed more than a couple.

I am known as "The Patient from Hell", I am sure. I sometimes introduce myself to a new doctor that way. You see, although I was raised to believe in doctors as wonderful, caring, self-sacrificing, angelic types... I began to see beneath the facade, to see through the PR image.

You see, I began to research things on my own. Being the odd child, I looked things up rather than just ask adults the answers. I had already learned that all adults didn't have the correct answers, that they sometimes seemed as error prone as a child might be. Some were superstitious, some believed rumors easily, some were cynical and seemingly believed nothing, some were simply uninformed and knew it, and the worst were adamant that they were right when they weren't. When a doctor falls in that last category, it spells disaster.

A doctor is always two things; a healer and an office administrator. First, of course, he is the healer; that is his primary function in life. But he also must have an office and an office staff and he must run that. If that doesn't run properly, the patients pay the price. Most of us, the patients, tolerate a poor staff. Especially if we like the doctor we have. Strangely, we would not tolerate a doctor we didn't like because his staff was excellent.

But, in truth, the office staff reflect upon their doctor. If he cannot run his office properly, if he overlooks mistakes by his staff, then what other mistakes does he overlook? Some doctors are good delegators, they find a good office administrator and put him/her in charge. Some do not. We have no way of knowing how an office is run on our first visit, we must judge by our experience.

Yesterday, I went to see the orthopedic surgeon who was recommended to me by the ER on Sunday. The ER doc told me he was good and was one that he, himself, would go to. I have no way of knowing how true that is. And I may never know.

You see, I have been to many doctors over the years. I have learned that first visits entail a bunch of paperwork and staff work before I get to see the doctor. So I arrive early for these appointments. Usually 25 to 30 minutes early. And I did so yesterday. I also expect to wait sometimes past my appointment time because of unforeseen circumstances. But I have a limit. And I no longer tolerate excessive waiting. That limit is 30 minutes.

As I said, I arrived about 25 minutes early, filled out the paperwork, and sat in the uncomfortable chair along with the other patients. I was more uncomfortable that I might have been because my left knee is in an immobilizing "soft cast" which puts pressure on the knee at times and just generally causes discomfort if the leg cannot be placed in such a way as to avoid it... like elevated and supported. Which it can't when one is seated in a waiting room chair.

So minutes speed by like a turtle in a drug stupor, making the wait an eternity. After several eternities, the receptionist calls me to the window to return my photo ID and insurance card. I glance at the clock and mentally note that I am three minutes short of being in the waiting room/torture chamber for 55 minutes. That is, that I am approaching the 30 minute limit past my appointment time.

I inquire, "How much longer?"

She replies, "It'll be just a few more minutes, we have to verify your insurance."

I say as I turn away, "I'll give you 5 minutes."

And give her ten. After which I get up, hobble to the window, and inform her that I am leaving and why. She says she has me on the list, or in the stack, or some such nonsense and I tell her I do not care, 30 minutes is too long and I gave them plenty of time by arriving early.

Another staffer turns toward me and says "but I just got off the phone with your insurance company."

And I point out that she had an hour to deal with that. I know she did not spend that hour on the phone with my insurance company verifying my coverage. And, in fact, doesn't actually need to verify it prior to my first visit. Unless the doctor is working for the money first and patient second.

Faye and I leave.

And I had to find another orthopedic surgeon. One which I do not know. One which may be good or bad. One whose staff may be efficient or lazy but will learn when I come in that I am there 30 minutes early because I expect to see the doctor at my appointment time and will not wait long past it.