Hippocratic Oddities

I went to the doctor this morning to get tested for strep throat.

I have to paint a quick picture for you about General Practitioners (GP) I've seen lately. In January, I made an appointment to see a GP. After getting to his office, I was informed that "He's not taking any new patients," but that he'd see me just for that day. I did see him, and he didn't look at me, didn't let me speak without interrupting me, and was generally terse. He came off as angry and unsympathetic, even with tears streaming down my face (kidney stone tears, fyi).

I saw a new GP two weeks ago, and he was brief and efficient, and had that doctorly patina of professionalism. I was a bit more prepared for it this time, but the guy didn't really express any sympathy or exude any concern. That's fine.

I saw someone new on Sunday (my clinic was closed). The meeting was very rushed because they were busy. Same kind of doctor, quick and professional. At one point I had some tears leak out, and he stopped and looked at me and said, "Are you all right?" with the same amount of emotion that one would use to say, "Would you like fries with that?" It was fine. We talked about what I should do and I left.

But I was confused when I left his office. He told me my infection is viral ( = do not take antibiotics), but he prescribed antibiotics for me. He said to fill the prescription if I didn't get better in a few days. But I really don't want to take antibiotics if I don't need to. So I decided to get my throat swabbed today to see if I have strep throat.

I didn't have an appointment so I had to see a new GP with instacare.

I told him what was going on, and another darn tear leaked out. So he hugged me. The guy hugged me. A big hug. He said, "I'm old enough to be your dad so I can do that." And he patted my knee and kept calling me 'sweetie.' And he'd give me little frownie faces when I told him my symptoms. And he told me I did a good job when he put the tounge depressor in my mouth and said 'ah.' And basically cooed over me like I was 4 years old the whole time. I was so surprised, I walked out of that office like the people at the end of Close Encounters, stumbling out of the mothership.

It was odd, of course, to be treated like I was much younger. But I'd rather have oddness that exudes concern and sympathy than grim professionalism. But I bet there are people out there that would rather have the quick, professional, let's-get-this-over-with experience. I understand, but I really wish this guy had been around during my kidney stone fiasco.