Big Doctors
White Towers on the Galapagos Islands of Medicine
This is such a beautiful country.
You can travel to the Grand Canyon, to San Francisco, to the prairies in the Midwest and there is nothing but beauty. One of the most beautiful urban sites is the view you get of the New York skyline on certain approach flights to LaGuardia Airport. From certain destinations you fly up the East River. To the right is Queens and the outlying middle class suburbs, to the left is the island of Manhattan in all its glory.
Recently, though, while traveling back to New York and getting a glimpse of the City I could have sworn I saw the island of Manhattan sinking in the center. It was as if a weight was present from approximately 59th Street to 110th Street causing the island to have a somewhat concave appearance. I immediately called the Army Corps of Engineers (who, by the way are on Speed Dial on my Blackberry) and since they have not been called in to do anything of worth in New Orleans by the new head of FEMA (who I think used to be in charge of french fry procurement at Wendy's) they had time to field my question. It appears that Manhattan is being weighed down by Big Doctors. Wow. All that mass in one area in the country. I never knew they were that big. Who'd of guessed?
It reminds of a classic Jackie Mason joke.
Three people are at a party.
Person One: "My doctor is so big it takes 3 weeks to see him."
Person Two: "Oh yeah? My doctor is so big it takes 3 months to see him."
Person Three: "You think that's bad? My doctor is so big no one has ever seen him!"
It really is an urban phenomenon. Big doctors, that is. So what can make a doctor big? Here are some thoughts:
I am sure the list goes on but the problem is that within all this mess you really can't tell who is the best doctor suited for your care at all times. Why is this? I don't really know the answers to this and other questions plaguing mankind for generations (although I think I figured out where the ducks go in the winter in Central Park, Holden).
The next time you make an appointment to see a big doctor make sure the office is big enough for both of you to fit in.
Dr. K.
Related Topics: Choosing a Doctor, Health Care Services
This is such a beautiful country.
You can travel to the Grand Canyon, to San Francisco, to the prairies in the Midwest and there is nothing but beauty. One of the most beautiful urban sites is the view you get of the New York skyline on certain approach flights to LaGuardia Airport. From certain destinations you fly up the East River. To the right is Queens and the outlying middle class suburbs, to the left is the island of Manhattan in all its glory.
Recently, though, while traveling back to New York and getting a glimpse of the City I could have sworn I saw the island of Manhattan sinking in the center. It was as if a weight was present from approximately 59th Street to 110th Street causing the island to have a somewhat concave appearance. I immediately called the Army Corps of Engineers (who, by the way are on Speed Dial on my Blackberry) and since they have not been called in to do anything of worth in New Orleans by the new head of FEMA (who I think used to be in charge of french fry procurement at Wendy's) they had time to field my question. It appears that Manhattan is being weighed down by Big Doctors. Wow. All that mass in one area in the country. I never knew they were that big. Who'd of guessed?
It reminds of a classic Jackie Mason joke.
Three people are at a party.
Person One: "My doctor is so big it takes 3 weeks to see him."
Person Two: "Oh yeah? My doctor is so big it takes 3 months to see him."
Person Three: "You think that's bad? My doctor is so big no one has ever seen him!"
It really is an urban phenomenon. Big doctors, that is. So what can make a doctor big? Here are some thoughts:
- Medical or surgical skill at an exceptionally high level who is nationally recognized by peers and patients with ethics beyond reproach. Okay- that's 3 guys...
- Doctors and institutions with large advertising budgets.
- "Boutique Doctors" who decide not to take any insurance and treat only people from Greenwich, CT (or similar suburbs).
- Fat doctors (my personal choice).
- Doctors with public relations consultants.
I am sure the list goes on but the problem is that within all this mess you really can't tell who is the best doctor suited for your care at all times. Why is this? I don't really know the answers to this and other questions plaguing mankind for generations (although I think I figured out where the ducks go in the winter in Central Park, Holden).
The next time you make an appointment to see a big doctor make sure the office is big enough for both of you to fit in.
Dr. K.
Related Topics: Choosing a Doctor, Health Care Services
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2 Comments:
Our family doctor is cool. But the neurologist and the gynecologist must be big because I have to sit in the waiting room half a day to see them. It seems to me that an appointment ought to be a two-way street; I agree to be there at 8:30, and he or she agrees to be available to me then. I suppose I put up with it because I only see them once a year.
By the way, I loved my orthopedist, Dr. Dlabach at the Campbell Clinic. He did my rotator cuff surgery, and kept telling me not to give up during my weeks of "heck" with adhesive capsulitis, and ultimately gave me my shoulder and my life back.
I agree about the 2 way street. If I am left in a waiting or exam room more than a reasonable amount of time, I go look for someone (paper gown be damned...) and ask when the Dr/PA/nurse will be in to see me. The staff usually looks pretty shocked (and not because of what's hanging out of the paper gown) that I would have the guts to do that. I usually get serviced right away. I don't get in their face about it, just polite assertiveness.
I have told one doctor I wouldn't be back because of the long wait, and he said that he was talking to another partner in the practice ("So?"). One of these days I'm sure I'll walk out of an Dr office, but I haven't yet.
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