So I've had a few days to cool off after my 2nd visit to the gyney. Always wanted to say that. Gyney. That's just one of those ugly words. Like moist. Or pubic. Shish kebab. Sputnik.
Anyway, so I don't hate the doctor, I just hate late. Always will be a challenge to come up roses in the vicinity of tardiness. But I know, I know, every doctor is late, and I should really do a lot of things, including being the beacon of positivity that I normally am. Wink, wink.
I had an idea about doctors. Then I did less than three minutes of research and realized someone else already had the idea. But i'm going to pretend it was mine here anyway.
I was reading this article about doctors, and then was looking at one of my fave's, Angie's List. I thought, "what a great idea, I should create a website that allows people to openly discuss their doctor experiences, (then I got to thinkin' about mechanics too) rate em, etc." This'll help give us, the people, some access to who's good, who sucks, and really be able to dial in on the 'all doctors are late and suck' myth... It's a good idea, no? Sure it is. See here.
Problem is, Angie's List, to me, is a brand that gives me contractors and electricians, painters, and pool cleaners. Not doctors. So, it has to be something like "TheListMD.com." Or "DrData.com." Or how about "Thewait.com." Got any ideas?
15 comments:
The doctor that delivered Dina was an amazing man. He was warm, friendly, informative and progressive. He actually stood up to Thomas in a kind, friendly way when I had, yet, another girl.
My only beef is that he would keep me waiting in the office FOR-EVER!
It drove me nuts - but he was the best.
I had similar feeling to Di's. Loved my doctors, had one for Scott and Eric and then a different one for Casey. But, what was really great about the first one was that even though I always had to wait, the nurse would weigh me in, and then tell me he might be an hour late ('cause of a delivery or something), so then I would go across the street to Fanny Farmer and eat about 6-8 chocolate covered caramels before I returned for my exam and chat with doctor. You can imagine what a wonderful state of mind I was in then!
P.S. Angie's List for doctors sounds like a great idea, but just make sure that you don't trade being on time always for real competency. Remember, there will be times when you would like your doctor to take more time with you to answer questions or reassure you and that may cause he/she to be late for the next person, so grant them some leeway. I base my judgement on my doctors by how willing they are to answer my questions, which I always arrive ready to ask, and I try to have done enough preparation to make sure they must give me in-depth, current solutions to the problem.
Interesting to notice how certain industries work. Imagine a judge being an hour late. A chipotle employee an hour late is immediately fired. Our accountant made a house call for our first appointment, in busy chicago rush hour, and would've never been late. You get rid of your babysitter if they're late, especially if you're late for a planned outing because of them. Your screwed if you're one minute late in the military. I bet models are always late. It's ok for Ozzy to go on late. Not Oprah.
And, thinking back now, Old Dr. Leatherskin, Paula's Gyney (there it is again) cancelled her appointment (made a month earlier) and went on some tropical vacation - she must not've planned far enough in advance, and/or her receptionists made her appointment during a blocked week...
Just reminds me to keep a book in my back pocket at all times. Had I been able to read for that hour, there wouldn't be any of these converations - instead I'd be telling you good the book is.
I'm still thinkin' that if she really rubs you the wrong way (oops, sorry 'bout that), you should look around for another doctor who fits the bill better.
I know that Dina really likes her a lot - but that's Dina.
I had a Pediatrician once who came highly recommended to me. I left him because I thought that he was getting a little "funny" with my girls. My friend was alarmed that I thought this, because he was some sort of personal hero to her. Go figure. I didn't care because my perception, even if it wasn't correct was important to the comfort level of my girls - and me. I wanted to be able to trust my pediatrician with my daughters.
well, like i've said before, i'm sorry you have a bad experience every time you go to her. i happen to like "man hands", and she is never really late when i see her. they always have my info ready to go, and the finance lady is on the ball with the insurance crap. i guess i know how it is, i work for a doctor who runs late all the time, so it really doesn't bother me if i have to wait. i know that everyone who see's their ob for monthly visits ( i work with 3 other pregnant people) have on average, 5 min appts, and spend more time in the waiting room than time spent with the doctor. unfortunatly, you waited a very long time. roma was right about other pt's screwing up the flow of the day. sometimes, they push the schedule back. you should have had a nurse apologize and explain what the delay was. what was funny, when i was there earlier that day, dr.marcia said " you are a great patient dina! you are 1/2 a step ahead of me, and ask tons of q's. sometimes people come in and look at me like i'm a mind reader, and get pissed when i don't answer all their q's...but they didn't have any." i have to defend her a bit 'cause i have think they have a great staff. but that's me.
of course you are a "good patient", dina -- you have TWIN$! they'd be stupid not to ki$$ your teeny-tiny a$$! ;o)
me? they're like, "oh, you can cancel her appointment -- we've already done it three times. so what if that means she has no exam this month? aw, she doesn't even eat meat, so she probably doesn't really care that much about her baby anyway." ;o)
Whoa, Paula, you are getting way too defensive about the vegetarian stuff. It is your responsibility to reassure the doctor that you know what you should be eating, she cannot know you without you telling her about yourself. She operates with a lot of preconceived notions about people (just like we all do), but you should let her know what you do know and then be ready to ask the questions that you would like to have answered. Remember, she can't read your mind. But. having said that, I'm inclined to agree with your mom, if you are that unhappy with her then you should probably find someone with whom you will have a better relationship. Remember, this should be a happy time, not one of total frustration. Feel good! :)
okay, everyone. in the post above, i was totally joking. that's the tricky part with this: you can't always type tone. i just brought up the veggie thing because when i told the dr. about my being a vegetarian, she sounded to me to be very judgmental and dismissive of it. i know it's fair for her to question it, but she didn't even give me the chance to explain before turning up her nose.
for the record, i think that dina and dr. marcea are a VERY good match and she's so lucky to have her on her side. i would decribe this dr's bedside manner as reactive and that works well for dina b/c she is the one that essentially drives the appt. dina has had tremendous success there and i am so happy for her and my niece and nephew to be.
i very rarely have any questions when i walk in there. my insurance is paying for the doctor, the nurses, and even the receptionists to do the work, not me. there has been a fair bit of confusion there w/ re: to where i go, when my appt is, what i am supposed to do. i expect to told at least perfunctory directions. i marvel that my veterinarian gives more instruction for the care of my cat than i get for my baby. i am proactive inasmuch as i do a lot of reading and research on my own, but when i do actually ask questions, i get no REAL answers.
q) can i take pepcid ac?
a) you can take tums? it's got calcium, too.
q) okayyy, except tums doesn't always help. is pepcid ac bad to take?
a) how about tums?
or...
q) how much crying is too much? i read in several publications that if i am crying a lot, i should mention this to my doctor in case it is a pre-cursor for post-partum depression.
a) pregnancy is a crazy time. it's very stressful on your body and that can be hard to deal with at times.
q) but i haven't had any problems at all in my first trimester.
a) anyway, here's a tissue to wipe the goop.
i have called the emergency line after botched pap smears when i am in pain and bleeding multiple times and never gotten a call back. i then nicely asked the dr. about it at the next appt and she got severely defensive with me as though i was questioning her technique or it was my fault.
i don't feel there is any reason i need to be the one driving the appt. i didn't go to medical school much less ever have a child before. bottom line is i don't think we're a great match.
I say with all that lack of attention by the doctor, I would be out of there in a heartbeat, wouldn't even think twice. That was my point a couple of posts ago, if you don't get satisfactory answers to your questions, then don't stick around. This needs to be fun, and you shouldn't have to worry about anything else. Try to enjoy the changes in your body, and marvel at what a wonderful gift God has given to women to be able to give birth, and if that involves being very emotional and crying a lot, well have at it.
Sometimes doctors see the same thing over and over and just lose some of the wonder, but for you and Casey it is the biggest wonder of your life. And, the rest of us are pretty excited, too.
P.S. That "whoa Paula" post a while back that said mom was really me, forgot to put my name. Sorry about that.
sat at midway friday and called doctors from my cell. though the two my cousin recommended are booked through june, i have some others to try today. i may also be checking out a midwife instead [thanks for the tip, laurel]. we'll see! maybe i'll actually start posting on my won blog again, too.
fortunately, the pregnancy has been mostly fun so far. i got up to wrangle some dancers at an audition this weekend and when i came back to the judges' table, my coworkers whispered, "p, you got some knockers on ya." crazy.
Yes, I concur. The knockers, er, ah, pregnancy has been good.
Hey, Paula, when are you going to post on your blog?
I was wondering the same thing. Post! Post! It's driving me crazy. I'll have you know, I go there every day just waiting. The new picture was a tease!
L.
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