Pardon me if I get a little over-emotional here; I’m currently running a fever and taking steroids to help ease a viral skin infection. But not everybody loves their doctor. Here’s why I love mine.
- He takes his time. We spent at least a half hour in the exam room, going over my various symptoms. (I went in with a mysterious rash on my arms and legs that hasn’t been helped much by treating it as an allergy with Benadryl and hydrocortisone cream.)
- He has a great sense of humor. This one may not be as important to you as it is to me, but a couple of jokes help put me at ease.
- He answers all my questions. I don’t feel like he’s running in and out to make a quick diagnosis (see #1) so I feel like it’s okay to ask a few extra questions. Even though I was there for the rash, I also asked about my occasional wrist pain AND my antidepressants. And he took the time to answer everything.
- He thinks of things I never would. Well, duh, I’m not a doctor. But he tested me for strep, because sometimes the strep virus comes with a rash. (Back in the day, they called it Scarlet Fever. And yes, I have had Scarlet Fever before, thank you very much!) No strep, by the way. But it was nice of him to check!
- He remembers things and gets on my case. Last time I was in, he was badgering me about making an appointment for a visit to the gynecologist. That was a few months ago, and I’m bad. I didn’t go yet. So once again, he started pestering me about the appointment, and made me promise to go within the next three months. I like that he remembers things, and doesn’t let me slide on health care stuff.
I really hope that everybody reading this loves their doctor too. I’ve been very lucky to have had several doctors throughout my life that I really trusted and really appreciated.
And if you don’t much like your doctor? Well, it may be worth the effort to try and find a new one that makes you want to wax poetic about his or her charms.