We need a family physician
For the last few years, since finishing my post-doc and being turfed out of the university's health centre, I've been a patient at the medical school's clinic. Since I couldn't find a GP that was nearby and accepting patients, I thought I'd at least contribute to the training of family practice residents.
I don't want to anymore.
There's a revolving door of residents. Some are very good, some clearly were in the bottom half of their classes. (As Werner says, 50% of all physicians were below average.) Notwithstanding quality of care (i.e., competence of the residents), I'm truly tired of having a different resident every second visit.
I've had problems with my allergy shots, for instance. Too often I've had to tell the resident where and how to give the shot. Once a med student gave me the shot, but didn't identify himself as a mere student until the needle was approaching my arm. Not ethical, and not what I consented to!
During my prenatal care, I had six different residents. Again, competence was all over the place. At least Dr W. was there for continuity, but even so we see him at every visit. There were even errors in my prenatal record. There I was, at the hospital, having contractions every three minutes and needing to explain that my prenatal record was wrong.
I'm just back from the clinic again. Dr L. worried that I might have an infection, so tasked me with getting an appointment for today. She also recommended that I see the clinic's director, as she might be taking patients of her own. So I asked that the appointment be with the director, and was told it would be.
So there I was, waiting in the exam room. In walks a woman who introduces herself as a nurse practitioner student and asks whether I would mind if her supervisor was present. All I could think was, "You're not who I've come to see." The student was well-meaning, but very green. And, without going into too much detail, let's just say she wasn't really sure of what she was doing and what she was doing involved areas that I didn't really want to be training ground. Splayed open like a breathing textbook, the whole experience was about as dehumanising as it was painful. It was such a relief when the instructor told the student, "You should stop poking her now".
In the end, the director did come see me, and had to repeat part of the exam.
I'm so tired of being a lab mouse. I've done my bit (and then some). Monday morning, my top priority will be to start phoning the GPs recommended by Dr R, Dr L, and those who saw to us in the hospital.
I don't want to anymore.
There's a revolving door of residents. Some are very good, some clearly were in the bottom half of their classes. (As Werner says, 50% of all physicians were below average.) Notwithstanding quality of care (i.e., competence of the residents), I'm truly tired of having a different resident every second visit.
I've had problems with my allergy shots, for instance. Too often I've had to tell the resident where and how to give the shot. Once a med student gave me the shot, but didn't identify himself as a mere student until the needle was approaching my arm. Not ethical, and not what I consented to!
During my prenatal care, I had six different residents. Again, competence was all over the place. At least Dr W. was there for continuity, but even so we see him at every visit. There were even errors in my prenatal record. There I was, at the hospital, having contractions every three minutes and needing to explain that my prenatal record was wrong.
I'm just back from the clinic again. Dr L. worried that I might have an infection, so tasked me with getting an appointment for today. She also recommended that I see the clinic's director, as she might be taking patients of her own. So I asked that the appointment be with the director, and was told it would be.
So there I was, waiting in the exam room. In walks a woman who introduces herself as a nurse practitioner student and asks whether I would mind if her supervisor was present. All I could think was, "You're not who I've come to see." The student was well-meaning, but very green. And, without going into too much detail, let's just say she wasn't really sure of what she was doing and what she was doing involved areas that I didn't really want to be training ground. Splayed open like a breathing textbook, the whole experience was about as dehumanising as it was painful. It was such a relief when the instructor told the student, "You should stop poking her now".
In the end, the director did come see me, and had to repeat part of the exam.
I'm so tired of being a lab mouse. I've done my bit (and then some). Monday morning, my top priority will be to start phoning the GPs recommended by Dr R, Dr L, and those who saw to us in the hospital.
posted by Melanie A at 5:27 p.m.
1 Comments:
I would suggest Seymour Clinic at Granville and 7th Ave.
They have many family doctors as well as specialists and lab facilities. One stop shopping.
Our family including aunt and my roomate at work have been going there for over 20 years and I can always find a doctor when I need one (nights and weekends) if my doctor is around. There is a pay parking lot underground and street metered parking. I go to Dr. Moss but my friend sees Dr. Joffee. Good Luck!
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