Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Getting Checked Out

Taking the message of Movember to heart, I decided to get myself checked out. Since my last physical was over 4 years ago, and I haven't been to the same doctor more than twice since the 90s, I need to find a new general practitioner.

So I went to the local municipality's website to see if they are referring doctors. There were several listings on the site, so I seemed to have a choice. Being a creature of habit, I started with the clinic that I went to a couple of years ago when I had a rash on my leg from an allergy. According to the website, they have 2 doctors looking for patients. When I call, they have a waiting list that they are willing to keep me on for three months. I have to go in person to fill out the application form during business hours.

I keep looking. I continue with places listing doctors (plural) looking for patients. I get put on hold as soon as the receptionist answers the phone. They have a waiting list. One auto-attendant explicitly tells me that I cannot leave a message. I sense a theme. This is not a buyer's market.

In the end, I try every clinic on the list and get two prospects: one doctor's office is located somewhat inconveniently but they have a doctor accepting applications that they may or may not call for appointments. The second clinic is more convenient and they are willing to make an appointment over the phone for the nurse practitioner who is accepting patients. I take the first appointment available, January 10th. The receptionist tells me that this is an introductory appointment, and that I have to meet the NP before they will consider scheduling a physical for me. Ten minutes later, I call back and make a second appointment for my wife. This is the best option in town.

It's incredibly frustrating that it's so difficult to get to a doctor. Sure, I have an appointment, but it is entirely possible that the NP will decide not to accept my business. The day that I booked, the receptionist said that the NP had too many new clients to see my wife, so I had to book a different day for her. So there I am; I have to wait for 2 months to see if a medical professional is willing to perform preventative maintenance on me. I hope that the interval between the introduction and the actual checkup is a shorter one.