What Makes a Good Doctor?

I often wonder what qualities I like to see in a doctor. I am writing this blog because of my recent experience with my new rheumatologist and another one that I am going through right now. On Friday I called my eye doctor because I am really tired of how much my eyesight is diminishing because of the cataracts I have. They need to come out, but since that will change my eyeglass prescription I don't want to spend all the money to get them just to have to spend all this money to get it changed again. The doctor never called me back and I had to call again on Wednesday. Now I understand this was by no means an emergency and it was a holiday weekend, but I do not think that is acceptable. I am having a real problem with my eyes that leaves me completely frustrated most of the time because I can't see nearly as well as I should and the strain is giving me constant headaches.

I also mentioned my problems with my new rheumatologist. She prescribed Plaquenil, but my insurance wants a prior authorization. It has been over a week and the authorization has still not gone through. While I am not thrilled to try Plaquenil again because of the effects it had previously on my stomach, I do think waiting over a week is a bit ridiculous.

I guess my ideal doctor would be caring, a good listener, and available. My rheumatologist at school fits the bill, but she is the only one (out of many, many doctors I have had) who really does. In thinking about going into health care, I read many different articles and blogs written by and about health care professionals. I understand that they are often overworked and have a very demanding schedules, but what about our needs as patients? I often feel like a burden to my doctors and I have delayed or just plain not sought medical attention when I thought I needed it because of this.

This problem is bigger than just certain doctors. It is part of the problems facing our heath care system in general. However, there are certain things that I expect from my doctors and fins unacceptable and other things that I can give some leeway with.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

SNOW DAY! Without the Snow...

We have a day off today because of the terrible, teriible snowstorm raging outside as I speak (or write...) In actuality, there is a light flurry and no accumulation. I'm not complaining though. I have been really tired and slept in until 10:15. Then I got up and made myself a delicious egg and turkey bacon sandwich.

I have an interesting assignment for my class Writing as Communication. We have to write two public essays about a topic that we feel strongly about. For the first essay, I chose to write about the preexisting condition clause in most health insurance policies. Since I will be graduating in just over a year, this is a significant concern for me because going without health care could potentially be disastrous.

The draft of the paper was supposed to be due today, but since there is a "snowstorm" outside I'm guessing it will be due on Friday. My second public essay is due on Friday, but it has to be on a different subject and I'm not sure what I am going to write about yet.

This class has made me think a lot about this blog. I write pretty informally on here. A lot of the blogs I read, but a lot also take a more professional approach. I'm wondering if I should change, just a little. Maybe proofread sometimes...?

Anyway, I'm going to enjoy my day off thoroughly. I'm probably going to get back into bed soon because I am still a little sleepy.

What a Disappointment

I am talking about the results of the special election held in my state yesterday. I am very disappointed. I posted before about how I think health care reform is important, and now it has a chance of not going through. I can't complain that much though - I was too laid up recovering from the surgery to even think about going to get an absentee ballot. And of course I was over 100 miles away on election day, so I could not go and vote. But I'm still disappointed.

In other news, I have gone to one meeting of each of my classes already. I have homework and a two small papers due on Friday and Monday. So let the games begin!

Universal Healthcare

I read an interesting article on AOL recently: http://news.aol.com/health/story/_a/no-jobs-no-insurance-hard-times-for/n20090721161309990001.

The article talks about how many young people are more likely than older people to support universal healthcare. I know I do. I will graduate college in a year or two and it will be a disaster if I do not have health insurance.

Additionally, my student loans are compounded by the fact that I already have tens of thousands of dollars of debt to pay back for medical expenses while I was searching for my lupus diagnosis. I'm 20 years old and already in major financial trouble.

I do not know as much as I should about President Obama's health care reform plan, but over the next few weeks I plan to learn much more as it is certainly something that will effect my life as well as the lives of many other chronically ill young adults.