I have had it up to HERE (OK, I'm short. But I've HAD it, I tell you!) with my doctor's office.
A regular prescription of mine has almost run out, and I need a few more doses to cover me until my appointment next week. A simple matter. The whole thing should take a total of maybe one person-hour, including my phoning it in, the receptionist taking the message, the nurse confirming and authorizing the scrip, the pharmacist filling it, and my going to get it.
I call at 9:30 AM. Get the answering service. The office isn't open yet (!). I leave a message.
Nobody calls back.
I call again at 1:50 PM. Get the answering service. The office is still closed for lunch (!!). I leave a message.
Nobody calls back.
I call again at 4:05 PM. Get the answering service. The office closed for the day at 4:00.
What the?!
Every time I call that office -- maybe three times a year? but it's enough -- something like this happens. Today's business is not a big deal. When I really hurt my back last winter (hoisting my large, elderly, drunk neighbor up off my front lawn -- next time I'll just call the EMTs and watch the show from my study window, thank you very much) that was a big deal. I vowed then to change doctors, and just never got around to it. But these things are best done before there's a crisis, and their unresponsiveness today is a reminder to get on it.
Much as I like my doctor on the rare (hypochondria post notwithstanding, I'm reasonably healthy) occasions I see her in person, this aggravation isn't worth it. Going to see her always means waiting at least an hour, even with a morning appointment booked weeks in advance. Which might be fine for docile and/or otherwise unoccupied retirees, but for us, it basically means Mr. Sandy has to take a whole day off work to allow for an appointment that shouldn't consume more than an hour of the day, including driving there and back. I definitely can't count on being out of there in time to meet the bus home from school, no matter how early the appointment is.
Frustrating.
So I'm dumping her. I'll tell her why; I'll be calm, I'll be polite. I won't be apologetic, and I won't change my mind.
Oh, and irony: The prescription is for high blood pressure medicine. You can bet Nurse Stupid will advise me to "reduce stress in my life." Will do, lady. Will do.
I hear you, I do. In fact, I do not have a doctor at the moment, for some of the same reasons.
ReplyDeleteThe real problem is often the receptionists, I find. Maybe they are told to be bulldogs, I don't know, but they are often hopeless at answering phones or returning calls. I sometimes wonder if the doctors do this intentionally.
Anyway, good luck finding someone else. I'm having a heck of a time doing so, but that's because doctors are few and far between in Toronto (!). And let us know what the doctor says when you do tell her you are leaving.
Heidi
God...yes. I have two doctors, one is my family one and the other is a pain management specialist for my sciatica. My gp is a great find, personable with a great office staff. My other one is a pain in the ass, so he better write me good scrips...
ReplyDeleteI only keep him because he is the best in my city. But, his staff sucks the big one.