Morning Doctor's Appointment

So I just have to say that I had the most wonderful doctor's appointment this morning.  In fact, it was probably the best health care experience I've had in years.  The ironic thing is that I received this medical treatment from what is currently one of the most "socialized" medical experiences available in the United States--the military health system.  I have many friends that are opposed to universal health care and many that have complained about the medical treatment they've received in the military, yet after being uninsured or limitedly insured multiple times I really have no significant complaints.  Sure my first appointment didn't give me the outcome I'd expected (to be discussed below) but I still was seen and my initial concern dealt with....all at no expense to me and in a very professional manner.

I recognize that at times people have to wait longer than they'd like to in order to get in to see a doctor or maybe the physician that is available to see them isn't what they hoped for but I can guarantee you that I've had both of those same experiences in the private sector as well.  The worst medical experience I've ever had in my life was at Planned Parenthood, which serves low-income clients and is a non-profit organization.  In fact I've run the gamut of medical insurance options: military as a child, military currently, private sector through my parents and through my own employment, no insurance on two different occasions for a period totaling about a year, and 3 different student health care plans which allowed me to access the university's health center (never had a complaint here either).  However, today's medical appointment was one of the best I've had.

I was the first appointment of the day for a consult about some moles on my face and neck.  I didn't have to sit down in the waiting room, the receptionist went out of his way to update my information so that I didn't have to take time to do it later, and by the time he was done I was whisked back into the check-in site.  I waited in the actual appointment room for a max of 5 minutes (not enough time to start my newest book!) and then the doctor came in.  Within 40 minutes, I was out of the hospital with two moles removed, and I hadn't even expected to be able to have them removed today!  Through conversation with the nurse, I also discovered that the doctor I had met with today is one of the few on post here who would be willing to insert an IUD for birth control. (I discovered at my annual exam in December that the doctors on post here are more conservative w/ this birth control method for those who have yet to go through pregnancy.  While this may be a conservative mindset and this wouldn't be an issue back in Oregon, I respected the fact that they had their own professional opinions (albeit based on outdated research).  I may not have been overjoyed by the thought of having to consult every physician on the OBGYN staff to see if they would be willing to do it, but at least the military was still providing regular birth control for me and when I felt ready I knew I could tackle the issue.  Plus the professionals at my annual appointment were really wonderful to talk with....)  Today the nurse performed the information consult herself, walked me back to the doctor who agreed to attempt the procedure and wrote the referral form, and all of this was addressed in the same 40 minute appointment.  FAB-U-LOUS!  It also was great to be treated today by three women (the check-in nurse, the doctor, and then nurse who assisted with the procedure and did the consult) who obviously loved their job.

Maybe it's the fact that I have experienced a variety of insurance mechanisms that leaves me more lenient toward variations in care, but really I have to respect the diversity of the professional opinions that do exist out there.  Truthfully I feel that these variations are going to be present throughout the nation regardless of the insurance mechanism.  You'll find conservative and liberal practitioners, those who love their job and those who don't, those that are speedy and those that are slow, those that communicate better than others, and those that are better at empathy than others.  There is no one cookie cutter practitioner out there--regardless of the occupation.  But as long as the practitioner is combating the health care issue effectively then I applaud that individual.

I recognize that I do have choice (although my actual physician choice may be more limited w/ military care I can still request a physician based on name, gender, etc....as long as that physician is available).  One other thing that I guess I feel the need to comment on is that I also understand that I am my own best advocate--although there have been times when I have had a physician who I wasn't a fan of so I kept my own advocacy quiet and instead requested a different individual to treat me.  However as a patient, I always go in with my own thoughts and questions and I make sure that for the most part I get the treatment I deserve w/in reason.  I'm that annoying patient that talks health care studies and stats with my physicians, but always does insist that they share their own thoughts and opinions with me too.  I recognize that many physicians are crunched for time in the USA, but I also recognize that I have the right to continue to sit in their office until my questions feel answered and that I can request not to have a physician who does not meet my needs.  And I recognize that doctors/nurses/NPs etc are people too--we're all bound to have bad days, preconceived opinions and notions, and while professionally we should always try to keep personal issues at bay...we're still human.

And I suppose that ends my rant and rave on health care for the day.  Really I'm just so incredibly satisfied with my morning's experience....and I wish that everyone else in the nation felt the relief that I do...actually having access to care on a consistent basis.