In Canada, we are fortunate to have socialized medicine.  However, anyone who has experienced OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) can tell you about possible limitations. It’s important to be aware and pro-active, as patient).  Of course, this can be all the more difficult when you’re under the weather.

 
Considerations:

• Secretaries can make all the difference by getting you an appointment and transmitting information in ways that are timely, fair, and sensible.  Their conduct may influence whether treatment and recovery are prompt (and appropriate) or not.  Don’t be afraid to keep calling them to see if there are any cancellations:  this is often the best way to get an appointment. 

• Medical students, residents, and fellows vary:  some are more competent than others. Often it’s their interviews and notes that determine how much time you’ll actually get with the doctor you’re supposed to be seeing. Beware of those who: (a.) just do and say, don’t ask (b.) claim they know, but can’t answer questions (c.) go back over information that’s not relevant, and miss what is (d.) present as more aloof (and self-important) than kind, concerned, competent, and ready to learn.

• The doctor you’re supposed to be seeing might have very little time to give, and delegate to students (first).  Make sure you insist to see the doctor too (not just the student delegate).  

• Have questions listed for your doctor’s appointment, and a follow-up organized before you leave. If not, you’ll be fielded by the secretary later, and treatment can get delayed. The doctor might not find out about your calls, or be able to get back to you.

• Emergency departments can help fast-track treatment and referrals, they can also miss things…  If something doesn’t feel right, it usually isn’t.  Don’t ignore it.  Seek further examinations and treatment—at the same establishment, or elsewhere.

• Patient advocacy matters:  if you can have a friend or family member with you for appointments, it can really help. When you’re sick, or upset, you don’t always take everything in that’s said, and there are questions you may forget to ask.

• Case coordination counts:  Sometimes you go to a medical appointment with one condition and come out with two or three more.  Family doctors are supposed to be on top of things, but that doesn’t always happen.  They are usually sent reports, but it’s up to the patient to follow up and inform:  something that’s not always feasible or practical, (especially when treatments are hospital-based).   Sometimes you have to be "case manager," as well as patient, which can be challenging.

• Hospital resources and case management:  A family doctor can become detached from a patient when all (specialist) treatments (even if out patient) are hospital-based.  This is when the patient needs to be assertive and see what extra institutional/hospital assistance can be provided.  Coordination and follow-up matter.  Delays and misdirection can be hazardous to your health and well-being (emotional as well as physical).

Every patient is special.  But, does it always feel that way, when you’re kept waiting, or there’s a human-error slip-up?  Agreed, resources are limited and staff tired. However, each life, and diagnosis, matter. One or more mistakes—and lack of attention to detail, or customer service—can be life-threatening.

Wider Context:  Please be aware that five million Canadians don’t have a family doctor, according to a CBC News Sunday segment (March 22, 09).  There’s a doctor shortage in Ontario, something you’ll realize isn’t a secret internationally. If delayed at LaGuardia Airport (New York City), it’s hard not to miss the doctor search advertisement posted on the wall at the gate!  (A photo showing this is included at the start of this post).