Family Doctoring

Family doctor has become an archaic term. There are so few, if any,"family doctors", that when you are asked that question, it's actually embarrassing. Most people other than pregnant women who need on-going care, seldom see the same medical doctor in the clinic more than a few uninterrupted times. It's not to say, it's the doctors' faults. It is to say that medical services are so changed that our attitudes have to, also. When I moved to a new community previously, I asked around if someone could recommend a "good" doctor. The names I was given, I called, but they were not taking new patients. I called the local hospital and was given more names of doctors accepting new patients, but when I phoned, I went on a waiting list. If you are fussy and want a female doctor as many females do, rightly or wrongly, it's a personal and legitimate choice, you may not find one. Many female doctors will attend pregnant women only and state it on their listings. When I moved again  to this new community, even though I didn't need a doctor other than for minor prescriptions, I had to ask a friend to accompany me to ask her doctor if I might become a patient. I talked to the front desk who seemed to be doing the selection process among other matters such as asking registered patients what their problems were before seeing the doctor. Triage by amateur? Many of these folks at reception desks seem to take on work that belies their actual knowledge and training, but that's the system and just try to get past it.  I was very grateful for my friend's recommendation because the doctor was female and although some distance away, reported to be "good". "Good" means that the particular patient and the doctor can establish some sort of rapport. When you have to tell a complete stranger in fifteen minutes, your most intimate physical and often emotional situation, you want someone who seems to understand your "aura". As it turned out, the young female doctor and I, unfortunately, did not find common ground and parted. Even then, not being able to speak to the doctor herself, I had to relate the matter to the office staff. The doctor was busy. And doctors are indeed busy, too busy, with patient loads that are gargantuan.What I had to do to avoid chagrin, was to changed my attitude and I sought out another medical clinic  purported to deal with situations such as my elder one. The clinic I have adopted has promised me a "family doctor" and put me on a waiting list. I don't really care who it is, I am not seeing the doctor for anything other than physical matters. In fact, going to an emergency ward in a hospital seems to be the best way to deal with an immediate problem. And if it requires that you lie down, call an ambulance. At least you can wait on a gurney if needed. There in hospital E you will find doctors who deal with matters quickly and have close facilities that otherwise would take months for your "family doctor" to apply to for access.