Post by TRIPWIRE on May 12, 2004 20:19:18 GMT -5
May 12, 2004
Medical Woes
Written by David M. Hickerson
Originally posted at tripwire.hickersonfamily.net/2004_0512.html
I've had at least one other "rant" up here on the topic of medical care, but I feel like it's about time for another. Recently my wife has become pregnant (I suspect most repeat hickersonfamily.net readers would have noticed) and we have been looking for a good OB doctor. I get the impression that this shouldn't be a difficult task, but we are finding it to be quite annoying.
For starters, our little town (I won't dare call it a city like it claims to be) has only three OB offices, and one of them it technically not even in town. These doctors are the only ones that deliver babies at our local hospital, and thus if my wife wants to have her baby here she is being told that she has to go to one of these doctors. This in and of itself doesn't seem so terrible, I mean, I realize that an expecting mother would much rather have someone she has met deliver the baby than some stranger... the annoyance comes to light when you combine her job with this situation.
Her work hours of 8:30a to 5p on monday through friday preclude her from seeing a doctor during those hours. If she chooses to schedule appointments during those hours she will use up her occurrences and call in days and will be subsequently fired. None of the local doctors will schedule appointments outside of those hours or on weekends, so we're in a predicament where she will probably need to change jobs.
For reasons that I will explain, I think that this situation is unreasonable, unacceptable, and undesirable:
Obviously we'll get through this situation in whatever way is necessary. I just don't understand it, and I honestly don't think I should have to. Pregnant women need medical care and under no circumstances should be without it and it is appalling that I even have to concern myself with the stress of this situation during what should be a happy time.
Reference: <br>No references were used in the preparation of this document.
Medical Woes
Written by David M. Hickerson
Originally posted at tripwire.hickersonfamily.net/2004_0512.html
I've had at least one other "rant" up here on the topic of medical care, but I feel like it's about time for another. Recently my wife has become pregnant (I suspect most repeat hickersonfamily.net readers would have noticed) and we have been looking for a good OB doctor. I get the impression that this shouldn't be a difficult task, but we are finding it to be quite annoying.
For starters, our little town (I won't dare call it a city like it claims to be) has only three OB offices, and one of them it technically not even in town. These doctors are the only ones that deliver babies at our local hospital, and thus if my wife wants to have her baby here she is being told that she has to go to one of these doctors. This in and of itself doesn't seem so terrible, I mean, I realize that an expecting mother would much rather have someone she has met deliver the baby than some stranger... the annoyance comes to light when you combine her job with this situation.
Her work hours of 8:30a to 5p on monday through friday preclude her from seeing a doctor during those hours. If she chooses to schedule appointments during those hours she will use up her occurrences and call in days and will be subsequently fired. None of the local doctors will schedule appointments outside of those hours or on weekends, so we're in a predicament where she will probably need to change jobs.
For reasons that I will explain, I think that this situation is unreasonable, unacceptable, and undesirable:
- Unreasonable: I don't understand how in a town where a fairly large number of the population (greater than 10%) work the same or very close to the same hours (at the same place) there would be few or no doctors availible for those people.
- Unacceptable: I find it rediculous that the doctors (who by the nature of their profession are supposed to help people) would refuse to make appointments that are more convenient for their patients. We'd pay extra for the service if it were availible.
- Undesirable: Obviously having a child is expensive, and being without work is not a good thing.
Obviously we'll get through this situation in whatever way is necessary. I just don't understand it, and I honestly don't think I should have to. Pregnant women need medical care and under no circumstances should be without it and it is appalling that I even have to concern myself with the stress of this situation during what should be a happy time.
Reference: <br>No references were used in the preparation of this document.
