Visiting the Orthopedist

This morning I finally saw the specialist. I'm not as confident that
he saw me. Certainly he gazed in my direction and unquestionably he
manipulated my leg joints. He smiled benignly and examined the X-ray
image imports. He also discounted the provisional diagnosis from my
doctor and dismissed my subjective experiences, although in the most
avunular manner imaginable.

I've said before that it seems the patient doesn't quite exist for a
Prevea doctor. Only the data presents to them. There is a person, as
well, but the person is a customer; the friendly masks are marketing.
Better to be sold healthcare by a smiling face than a dour one, if
sales is all you can get. But with health concerns care would be
better.

Part of the problem in healthcare is that everyone believes that they
already are providing attentive care. Unfortunately the attentiveness
offered is a lot like that of an AT&T call center representative ...
or like a maternal uncle talking to a 4 year old.

Or it is a bit like telling the broom salesman about all the dirt on
the kitchen floor. He gladly lays out the available options for you
to make your own choice, from the traditional straw broom through
the modern engineered push broom to a cordless power broom. You may
even decide to stick with the old broom you have now; it is entirely
your decision. Except that what you need may be a better door mat, or
perhaps a boot scraper.