Pediatricians have their work cut out for them when they practice in Taiwan!
I took Anaya back for a check up this past Sat. morning to see how her pneumonia was progressing (well, hopefully regressing that is!) As we were sitting at the hospital waiting our turn (several times over ... you'll see what I mean in a minute!), I got to thinking how going to see the doctor here is a bit different to back home!
First of all, when you make an appointment, they don't give you a time to show up, they give you a number. One has to give his best guess on what time to show up -- you could be an hour or more early if you haven't guessed correctly (or if it's taking longer than usual to see all the patients). Or, you could be late, and in that case they might finish seeing all the other patients on the list before coming back to you. Most of the time you just sit around and wait, trying to entertain your kids for long periods of time while the screen outside the doctor's door that lets you know whose turn it is beeps up one number at a time until it's your turn.
On this particular morning, there were 4 pediatricians seeing patients simultaneously. Anaya's doctor had 66 patients on his list (posted outside on the door). We were #57. Before arriving, we did our best to guess what time we should show up: "If the clinic opens at 9:00 and the doctor sees about 1 patient every 5 minutes, then... wait..., if we're #57, one patient every 5 minutes puts us way past lunch time... ok, how about one patient every 3 minutes... (calculating)... ahhh... let's just try showing up at 11:00 and see what happens..."
We showed up, & yes, waited an hour, then went in and saw the doctor for about... 3 minutes (if that)! Then, on to the registration desk to pay. Here's another thing a bit different to back home -- there's not just one desk -- there's seven desks operating full-time! We had to take a number -- our number was behind 89 other people who were waiting in line ahead of us. So, we sat down again... After paying (which was much more expensive this time than usual: $15 - normally it costs us about $3 to take the kids to the doctor here, & that includes medicine, but this time Anaya's antibiotics were self-pay) we went to stand in line for her meds. This line wasn't too bad and we only had to wait about 10 minutes -- but I did notice we were number 992 for the morning. :-P
Yes, Taiwan has lots of people! Can you imagine being a doctor here, showing up to work & being given your list for the morning with 66 (we've seen a list with 106 names on it before!) people to see? Then lunch break (yeah, right), and on to another set of patients for the afternoon!
I thought describing a day at the doctor's here might be semi-amusing to all our family & friends who live in less-densely-populated areas, and also to those in the States, where going to the doctor costs a small fortune! :) Please don't read any of this as a complaint in any way -- we really appreciate the health care we get here!
(And by the way, Anaya is getting better! :-))
1 comment:
I wouldn't take this as a complaint at all. This is fascinating. We have been quite pleased with the health care we get here in South Africa (at least a private doctors, public is another story). Generally you can be seen same day, appointment set, then you are seen within 10 min of that time. If you ever wait, say 15-20 min, the doctors often apologize for your time. Such a surreal experience. Our doctor often sees us for free or half off since we are missionaries. Such a blessing!
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