How to Get Good Healthcare, Part III

Meeting your team

While you are right that you are paying the bill, you are still at somebody else’s house. This isn’t just the physician’s workplace, it’s their home. They probably feel like they work a lot more hours than you do even if it isn’t true. They might even resent the fact that you are an uninsured artist and are usually pretty happy.

Consider doctors perversely socialized. Remember that year (or maybe the last decade) you spent working part-time at the Rainbow Club, drinking, smoking and generally having a blast? Unless he took a non-traditional path, your doctor probably didn’t have that year. Or at least thinks he or she didn’t – even if untrue.

The point here is simple: These are people who should have been building their social acumen and instead went home to do homework. They are the type of people who fret about the day’s work. They may be out of the ER, but their work isn’t done. They may have to take call and stay in the hospital. They may have to be on call for a week at time, not seeing their cat or lover. Hundred hour work weeks are not uncommon.

Consider these people a little strange. Many a physician is slow on the social uptake, failing to take time for late-adolescent social polishing necessary for normal smooth social interactions. So even if you are in the service industry, the doctor doesn’t need to make a sale, so don’t act like this is your house because it isn’t. Indeed, the hospital is frequently referred to as the “House.” As in, “The patient is in house,” meaning the patient is in the hospital.

That being said, you need some help. That’s why you’re there. Try to sit back an relax if you can. Let the doctors and nurses know what’s bothering you. Let them know if you are in pain. These humans want to help you, let them do it. You are going to be asked the same questions at least three times. Despite what it seems like, this is not a complete failure of communication. The doctors are going to compare notes with each other and a team of nurses, social workers and technicians. They will talk about you, however briefly, behind your back. It may be even worse than that: If you are at a teaching hospital you may have medical students, interns and residents taking care of you. Over ten people may be on the team!