Hello, and welcome back to the wonderful world of the Dogpound. Doctor visits have certainly changed over time. When I was little, the doctor still made house calls, black bag and all. Then, we moved to a more centralized visit, going to his office, which was actually in the back of his house, and he would come in one of the exam rooms, sometimes with cigarette in hand [I know, I am old!] and check you out. Then, we moved on to sitting in the waiting room for 30 minutes. Then, another 30 minutes in the exam room, with the doctor sometimes spending more time filling out the paperwork than actually studying your symptoms.
This has now moved to where instead of manually doing the paperwork, the doctor brings in a laptop and types in his findings; the need for prescriptions, insurance codes and next visit time etc. Today, a nurse carries the laptop. The doctor usually perches himself against the examination table. We discuss my issues. The nurse types down the notes. The doctor gives his verdict, leaves, and the nurse finishes out all the necessary details. Fast and efficient, but makes you wonder sometimes if the quality is really there.
Along with all of these changes has been the push to make sure you arrive at your appointed time. The last time I called in for an appointment, I received three advance notices. The first was a text asking me to confirm the stated appointment date and time. Then, I get an e-mail telling me that I have an appointment at stated date and time. Finally, I get a voice mail message asking me to confirm that I am actually going to show up for the stated appointment. The only thing missing is an Uber cab out front honking his horn to take me to the doctor’s office.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“I learned a long time ago that minor surgery is when they do the operation on someone else, not you.” – Bill Walton
FITTING ROOM
My girlfriend took her five-year-old daughter shopping with her. The little girl watched her mother try on outfit after outfit, exclaiming every time, “Mommy, you look beautiful.” A woman in the next fitting room called out, “May I borrow your daughter for a moment?”
BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR WORDS
The village blacksmith finally found an apprentice willing to work hard for long hours. The blacksmith immediately began his instructions to the lad, “When I take the shoe out of the fire, I’ll lay it on the anvil; and when I nod my head, you hit it with this hammer.” The apprentice did just as he was told. Now he’s the village blacksmith.
That is all I have for today. As always, be good, do good, play safe, and remember: communication can be overdone.
JR
