East meets west

Technology has changed this world and despite the possibility of misuse, overall I would like to believe it’s been for the better.

My doctor who migrated to the US, has embraced this advancement in technology so that his patients here can still consult him. Skype video call has become the bridge between the US and India.

So it works this way: The patients would continue to be received at his consulting room in India. A qualified homeopathy doctor, who was training under him, would receive the patients’ case history and examine them. A doctor-patient chat can happen in real time through the medium of a video chat.

Prior to my doctor permanently shifting base, I had experienced this once. Given the time difference in California and Mumbai, I did not think he would continue consulting this way on a daily basis. 

When I contracted sore throat, given my faith in homeopathy, I tried a new and highly incompetent doctor. This was before I knew my doctor was up for sleep deprivation on a regular basis. When I realized he was, I decided to not bother with a locum.

I called the clinic when my sore throat refused to heal. You can imagine my surprise, when I realized my doctor was in Mumbai for a short while! 

Once we were done with my medicines, he took me through how technology had enabled him to consult across the globe. With this method of practice, it is now possible to have ‘face to face’ online consultations with patients from all over the US and other countries. With Google+ now offering upto 10 video conferences at the same time, there are even greater opportunities. My doctor and his doctor wife consult together on cases as well. In fact, one can consult with multiple specialists at the same time and as my doctor says ‘the patient lives happily ever after’.

A visit to the doctor is typically about ailment discussion, physical examination followed by a medical evaluation and prescribing medicines. I never thought I would ever see the application of a video chat in medicine(despite having seen a glimpse of it in '3 Idiots'). But I have tried it and believe me - it works just fine... :)

Missing my doctor....

Since childhood, I have been a very ill child. Every specialist a person could end up visiting through the course of their life, was a part of my life within the first 3 yrs of my life. I am used to eating pills and taking nasty concoctions. Syringes, are another story altogether. I cannot think of even going for a blood test on my own. Till date, the pathologist I go to-is used to my showing up with either of my parents. I usually go early and wait in queue for my turn. The doctor patiently waits for my parent/s to turn up. After some light hearted teasing, he would prepare a new syringe for my blood test. He would give me a chocolate after the test and does so even to this day. Sort of removes the sting off the blood test!

I have gone to the same doctor since childhood. You know how you feel when you meet your childhood doctor? Just by being so sensitive, they make you feel like they will make you better in no time. That he will make you fit and fine? That he knows exactly what is wrong with you. Am pretty sure placebo effect is at work when he is involved. I feel I am getting better just after leaving his clinic.

My point is: I have always had the good fortune to be blessed with amazing doctors. The type who understand the fears of the patient and deal with it in a very loving manner. And somewhere I assumed every doctor would be the same.

Recently though, my illusions were shattered. My doctor migrated to the states. Since he migrated I have somehow managed to not fall ill. But I tried a new doctor when I had sore throat recently.

Just a background: This doctor is roughly in his early 30s. Has a fancy clinic near my house. Has gleaming expensive magazines stacked in the waiting area. Essentially, a place screaming of success. However, my meeting with him was a total washout.

After taking my history, which lasted a total of 10 mins, we had a rather brief discussion. This is how the meeting went:

Doc: since how long have you had sore throat?

Me: yesterday

Doc: how badly does it hurt?

Me: hurts when I swallow.

Doc: On a scale of one to ten, ten being the highest: how badly does it hurt?

Briefly about me: I come from a background in market research. And when I heard the scale question, I couldn’t stop laughing in my head. And since he wasn’t anywhere as pleasant as my previous doctor, I decided to be obtuse.

Me: 6.5

Doc says: do you get relief from hot or cold foods?

Me: hot foods.

And that was it. He didn’t even check my throat. I am definitely not going back to him.

Are doctors as a breed becoming more mechanical? just about turning around more and more patients in a single day? Is there no human factor? Am I right in feeling cheated? Or am I being too expectant? 

Or did I go to one who was dead inside?

Either way, the experience left a bad taste in my throat...errr mouth. I want my doctor back!