Thank you for being diplomatic
12/27/2024 at 10:45 PM
wpggirlfrombdn said "It says it's recommended, that doesn't mean you have to go to your primary care physician. So you can go to the minor injury clinic as multiple people have suggested, and make an appointment to follow up with your primary care physician as soon as they have openings.
Not sure what a patient advocate would do for you, as the reason it's hard to get in anywhere is that there is a shortage of physicians. An advocate can't magically make more hours in a day or more doctors appear. "
Thank you for saying what I wanted tobsay, but much more diplomatically.
The reality is that everyone knows the system is broken, and things like the MIIC is an attempt to address some of these shortfalls. Use it. It's for exactly this situation.
Also, frame your beef properly. They won't see you at all, or won't see you on YOUR timetable? There's a difference. I highly doubt they won't book you an appointment, they just can't accommodate you on the date you requested.
I know for me, I have a doc but it takes 30 days to get an appointment. If I were having surgery, I would have asked up front about follow ups when I had my consultations, and had them booked before I even had my surgery. Unless you were on a cancelation list or had emergency surgery, but didn't have your follow-ups already booked, you failed to do your due diligence amd didn't advocate for yourself.
I have health concerns, and I have several children with ongoing medical issues. It's important that you advocate for yourself AND be proactive about your care. We all know wait times are an issue. We all know it can be hard to get appointments. But it's the system we currently have until we have more staff and facilities. Ask questions. Know what is needed from YOU to make your care go smoothly. Advocate for yourself BEFORE you encounter a critical timeline. Educate yourself what options are available.
I am not saying the health care situation is your fault, but there are steps we can undertake to make sure we get the best care possible under circumstances provided. Sometimes we need a patient advocate, but only after you've advocated for yourself FIRST.
/rant