Doctor Doctor...

In the UK, we have the NHS (National Health Service) which governs GPs, hospitals, dentists etc. Healthcare in Scotland is free (but for things that you have to pay towards eg: your dental treatments & glasses they're often at subsidized rates).  I have always had good service & experiences with doctors back home...my family GP is very thorough & will even print off info &/or arrange to phone me to follow up on any information that I may be unclear about. Doctors ensure you are fully informed to help in your decision making.

I have had a very different experience in Singapore, and you have to pay for healthcare here...

Since coming to Singapore 8 months ago, I have been a magnet to mosquitoes, not only do I get covered in bites, but they also turn infected! So from the beginning of August all the way to January (when, thank God, I met someone who gave good advice), I would have infected bites every month!
Thus, I had several encounters with GPs here which I found to be rather appalling.

EXPERIENCE #1

One GP I saw, began by asking the basic registration questions:
"What is your name, address, occupation..." which he wrote down.

I showed him the massive swellings on my hand, arms & legs (caused by the bites being infected) and told him I was extremely concerned, particularly as it was a recurring problem.

He took a look and agreed: "Yes they are infected. I will prescribe an antibiotic for you"

I asked what the cause was (whether it was mosquitoes or some underlying skin problem)

He replied:"It could be caused by anything! A scratch, a bite, anything! It is infected so I will give you antibiotics. Do you need a medical certificate?"

What?! I already told you I'm a homemaker so why would I need a medical cert? & it is not helpful to discard my concerns & my need explore whether or not there is something underlying or could be prevented!

I asked if anti-histamines help to alleviate the itch, I told him I have them from home & showed him which one I am taking.
He said "It doesn't make much difference but you can take them if you want. Do you need some? I can prescribe them for you" (I just told you I've got some!) So do you need me to write a medical cert?

At the point, I was extremely displeased at how blatant it was that he was not listening to a word that I was saying, so I answered:
"I don't know, my boss is over there *pointing to my  husband* why don't you ask him?"

The doc stared blankly at me, so Nick politely told him I do not require a medical cert *frown*


EXPERIENCE #2

Nick went to see his GP about sciatic-like symptoms he was having. Again, he was informed
"it is scaita, I will refer you to the physio & orthopedic surgeon".
No explanation nor exploration of causes, things that alleviate/worsen the problem, what to do in the mean time etc.

The worse thing about Nick's encounter??  The doctor appeared like this:

Ok so it is common in Asia for people who are unwell to wear those mouth mask things (or in the case of the doctor, maybe she didnt want to get infected by people) but the sunglasses?!
Why does eye contact not matter? Especially when consulting with patients? I got the shock of my life when I went into the room with Nick & I could not take her seriously because not only did I struggle to hear what she was saying, I had no eye contact or anything!


My husband is really nice & considerate, stating she probably had some issues with her eyes hence she needed to wear sunglasses. I, on the other hand, find it extremely unprofessional & was not impressed whatsoever!

EXPERIENCE #3

Nick attended the polyclinic to request a referral to the Physio...after a few hours of waiting, we were finally seen to. The doctor, whilst in consultation with Nick, answered phone calls discussing things about other patients and other members of staff entered the room to take files!

EXPERIENCE #4

I attended Nick's appointment with the orthopedic surgeon (we had been advised by our physio friend that the condition did not warrant surgery but we still wanted to see what the doc had to say)
The door ajoining the room to the next doctor's room was left wide open despite having an A4 sign on it that said "please keep closed at all times". Noise was coming through from the next door's consultation so I requested this lady doctor close the door as the noise was a disturbance..
A nurse then came through that door (left it open!) and discussed with our our doctor what time she was going on her lunch break then exited the room. (what???) I got so frustrated!! I got up & closed that adjoining door & advised the doctor that the sign states it should be closed!

The doctor showed us the MRI results on the computer screen & proceeded to explain...when asked to show us where exactly she was referring to, her words did not match what was visible on the screen & she could not identify the corresponding location. She gave out a nervous chuckle and continued talking.

MY THOUGHTS

That is soooo unprofessional! Such standards are unacceptable, let alone the fact that these are treatments/consultations which we have to pay for!

I recently found out if you talk too much, the doc will charge for "long consultation" :O
Why is it "this is your problem, this is your solution. Goodbye"  If you want to know more, you will be feel the crunch because the timer & calculator are watching you?
So do interrupted consultations warrant you a discount?

I was irate! But Nick didn't seem as bothered as me. So does that mean such things are normal/accepted in Singapore? To see patients whilst looking like a masked murderer, the stupidly long queues, disrupted consultations, lack of interest/genuine care for patients??

What happened to genuine concern for patients? To ensure they are fully informed of whats going on? Is it only me who expects standards that high because I'm from an "atas" place?
Has the busyness of Singapore lifestyle and the hunger for money robbed doctors of genuine care & concern?