Reply #49: Knitter, all of your posts here are very helpful and exceedingly intelligent. [View All]

Thanks for your story.

Many of us yuppy elderly folks (ages 65 to 74 is the definition) have had relationships with one "family" doctor for long periods of time.
Al and I went to one internist in private practice for more than 27 years! I could call him in the middle of the night (and did, once during a traumatic period after my husband fell off a ladder, lost half of his blood through a compound fracture, and almost died). Mostly, this doctor helped me a couple of times with his knowledge, as well as free samples when my insurance was delayed. He also returned my telephone calls promptly. We discussed many things, and he treated me like an individual adult. Then, he joined a group in the 1980s, but was still available pretty much all the time if I needed him.

Frankly, it's been a shock getting adjusted to an HMO (supposedly one of the best, Kaiser Permanente) where the doctors see massive numbers of people and probably are completely cross-eyed at the end of the day due to patient load. Communications by telephone are improving due to the number of complaints they received.

I'm managing to get through the system by being a smart consumer. I get the treatment I feel I need because I ask for it. My records are on the Internet and I can email my doctor anytime I want, and call in to his nurse practitioners or admins as necessary.

Right now, this male primary doctor is ON MATERNITY LEAVE until July, and expecting his second child. I thought that was pretty neat! It's his second baby in a short period of time. I'm sure he and his wife will be quite busy with two little ones.

It is a time of great pressure in the medical field. However, I agree that the government could follow other industrialized countries into some better kind of a health care system. I've heard both the pros and cons of the single payer systems.

Again, thanks for posting. You're to be commended for "listening to your body" and getting help when you needed it. As for the sexual assault, I hope you dealt with that in swift fashion with upper management. That kind of thing should never be swept under the rug.

Peace, love and happiness,

Radio Lady Ellen