Friday, September 10, 2010

Visiting the Doctor, by Judy

Same appointment, different point of view.

We got to the right place, but it looked like an apartment.  Should we just walk in?  Ring the bell?  Which bell?  I rang the bell, nothing happened.  I opened the door and was surprised to see a staircase.  At the top was another door.  Go in?  Knock?  We went in and saw a waiting room with patients and a secretary, but no one acknowledged us.  Finally I asked for help because I had no idea what to do next.  A patient showed me how to scan the health card and said that was it.  We joined the other people who were sitting quietly (not even reading!).

I was surprised that the doctor was running late after being told how timely the appointments were.  She was wearing street clothing and did not have a stethoscope anywhere in sight.  Her office looked a little like an apartment, but with a examination bed and scale (although no one checked height or weight).  It was nice to be able to speak English and she had a book to look up the medicine we had brought from the U.S.

There are only two pharmacies in town!  This is the only place to get anything beyond chamomile tea, although a new law may make it legal to sell aspirin other places.  There were about six people ahead of us, but there is no place to sit and wait, which is not a problem if you are healthy.  It seems that a lot of elderly and sick people might appreciate a bench.  Maybe there is a delivery service?

It was good to check out the medical system when it wasn't an emergency.   I liked the doctor's attitude and manner, but I hope we stay healthy this year.

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