Late post today. Accompanied a friend to a clinic this morning for a medical procedure. Glad it wasn’t me (this time).
While waiting not-so-patiently in the reception area, I was reminded of the years and hours spent waiting in the offices of doctors, dentists, orthodontists and — horrors — the E.R with my kids. That part of motherhood I do not miss.
This particular clinic was run very efficiently. No long waits for the patients. Seven doctors were “on call.” But as I watched various doctors wend their way back and forth from the reception area, I was somewhat disconcerted. Each one seemed to be older than the last. These guys shuffled. I prefer my doctors with a little more “oomph” in their step. Was this a place where retired (or nearly-retired) doctors were put out to pasture? Sheesh.
(I was later assured by my friend that there were some relatively youthful doctors on the premises.)
However, here in Canada we can’t be too picky regarding doctors’ ages. We have to be grateful for any doctor. The doctor shortage is apparent now and will become increasingly so in years to come as we baby boomers “tax” the system.
Enough with the downer medical stuff.
I received lots of feedback/comments yesterday re: the childhood pics. Many recalled their own not so stylin’ days of awkwardness, chubbiness, etc. Kind of a fun thing to do, yes? Hey, maybe a future mass posting of wedding pictures could be next? Now, that might be amusing, heartbreaking (both heartbreakingly beautiful and/or sad) — whatever.
I’ll hold off for awhile on further photo posting. Give you all a break.
Happy Monday to all. Chores await. (Reality bites.)
While waiting not-so-patiently in the reception area, I was reminded of the years and hours spent waiting in the offices of doctors, dentists, orthodontists and — horrors — the E.R with my kids. That part of motherhood I do not miss.
This particular clinic was run very efficiently. No long waits for the patients. Seven doctors were “on call.” But as I watched various doctors wend their way back and forth from the reception area, I was somewhat disconcerted. Each one seemed to be older than the last. These guys shuffled. I prefer my doctors with a little more “oomph” in their step. Was this a place where retired (or nearly-retired) doctors were put out to pasture? Sheesh.
(I was later assured by my friend that there were some relatively youthful doctors on the premises.)
However, here in Canada we can’t be too picky regarding doctors’ ages. We have to be grateful for any doctor. The doctor shortage is apparent now and will become increasingly so in years to come as we baby boomers “tax” the system.
Enough with the downer medical stuff.
I received lots of feedback/comments yesterday re: the childhood pics. Many recalled their own not so stylin’ days of awkwardness, chubbiness, etc. Kind of a fun thing to do, yes? Hey, maybe a future mass posting of wedding pictures could be next? Now, that might be amusing, heartbreaking (both heartbreakingly beautiful and/or sad) — whatever.
I’ll hold off for awhile on further photo posting. Give you all a break.
Happy Monday to all. Chores await. (Reality bites.)
15 comments:
You saw old doctors? I keep running into really really young doctors that look more like college students at a costume party.
Old doctors seem to be the sensible ones though...
I veer away from the young whipper snappers when I have an emergency with my daughter....
trish - Yeah, some were old. That's why I found it so strange - not used to seeing that.
pendullum - Older doctors do seem more sensible but then the younger doctors might be more up-to-date with their medical knowledge. Who knows? Tough call - especially when it comes to our kids.
Our doctor is a little older than us, and she is great. The really young ones do give me the heebie jeebies.... Although as we get older, inevetable more of them are going to seem like babies aren't they.
Bring em on, eh?
oreneta - My doctor is my age - which means she will eventually retire while I still need her. And then what? I've begged her to keep me on as a patient - just me. Sounds reasonable to me.
"guy" - Bring on more doctor stories or pics? ;-)
guy - P.S. I noted your use of that "sweet" Canadian expression "eh?"
When I was in grad school (in the US), there were several Canadian medical student in my classes whose tuition was being paid for by Health Canada. They saw no hypocrisy in their support of the Canadian system and their stated intention of not practicing there (choosing to stay in the U.S.) I'm not sure if that has anything to do with your doctor shortage, but it can't be helping.
dj – I thought if you studied medicine in the States, you were not able to practice in Canada (without going "back" to med school here and/or writing "Canadian" exams). So why was Health Canada paying their tuition??? Geez.
Our shortage (at least in Ontario) is also a result of the government cutting back the number of openings in med school many years ago. How short-sighted was that?
As someone who has had a doctor to depend on all my life it is scary to not be able to find one now. I am facing what before I had just been reading about. Can't even get on a waiting list here. I'd take an old one or a young one - that's scary in it's own way. No longer can a person CHOSE their doctor they have to be grateful for anyone!!
msp - you're scaring me...can't even get on a waiting list? What are you going to do? You need regular doctor visits.
Beth: I'm not sure of all of the ins and outs of their subterfuge. I do know that they are supposed to go back to CA to practice, but I'm not sure if there was a way to compel them to do that. They may simply have had to pay Health Canada back, once they were out and raking in the loot. Sounds like a nice deal if you can get it.
DJ - Maybe - maybe - I'll give Health Canada the benefit of the doubt and consider their "deal" a way to make up for the lack of med school spaces here. But you're right - how do you force someone to come back to Canada to practice?
I am endlessly fascinated in the Canadian system of medicine, since so many of the families in my age group are being literally crushed by medical expenses here in the state. These are people with insurance and jobs, mind you.
I had some friends who moved from Canada because they wanted to be warmer, but begrudgingly admitted that they might have to move back because of the cost of medical care here. They are young, and nobody is chronically ill.
On the other hand, I know there are downsides to your system as well. But in this country, something has to give. It's all based on greed, really. Die if you can't afford the meds.
mom of three - I may complain about the doctor shortage and the waiting times for tests, procedures, etc. but I certainly can't complain about the cost of medical care in Canada. "Universal access" to medical care is the "theme" here and while private clinics may be popping up to circumvent the waiting times, what we have is good. I've heard horror stories from friends in the U.S. (I know I'm lucky.)
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