Growing up I belonged to a health care cooperative called Group Health (In Olympia Washington). It is what would be called a managed care plan today. If I needed to see a specialist it had to be approved by my doctor. The primary care doctor (Dr. Spee) was very good though and I liked the system. Plus one never waited more then 30 minutes to see a doctor and you always had your own room at the hospital.
Later in life I worked at a private hospital in downtown Bosie, Idaho for a year. This hospital had a busy emergency room that took in a lot of people who could not afford to pay. Over the course of the year I worked in every department and I never saw people wait more then 30 minutes, normally less. Just like in Washington the rooms were single occupancy. On top of this every floor had a family waiting room that was equipped with a couch, TV, and snacks.
Then I came to NY...wow!!! Long waits at lots of different doctors offices. The hospital rooms regularly have two patients in them. There are limits to visiting hours (the limits at the hospitals I am familiar with on the West coast were generally ignored). Overall far to many people in to small of a space. Space that has not been planned to accommodate the total amount of people, families, friends that would be present.
Then I went to John Hopkins....
That is me waiting for my appointment. I usually show up 30 minutes early and I will be the only one there. I spend thirty minutes to an hour consulting with the doctor and when I come out into the waiting room...I am the only one there. When I have a PET Scan, Blood work, X-rays, etc. they are always waiting for me. No rush of people. No rules preventing my family from being with me. No weird smells. Peace and Respect.
Well worth the drive.
Later in life I worked at a private hospital in downtown Bosie, Idaho for a year. This hospital had a busy emergency room that took in a lot of people who could not afford to pay. Over the course of the year I worked in every department and I never saw people wait more then 30 minutes, normally less. Just like in Washington the rooms were single occupancy. On top of this every floor had a family waiting room that was equipped with a couch, TV, and snacks.
Then I came to NY...wow!!! Long waits at lots of different doctors offices. The hospital rooms regularly have two patients in them. There are limits to visiting hours (the limits at the hospitals I am familiar with on the West coast were generally ignored). Overall far to many people in to small of a space. Space that has not been planned to accommodate the total amount of people, families, friends that would be present.
Then I went to John Hopkins....
That is me waiting for my appointment. I usually show up 30 minutes early and I will be the only one there. I spend thirty minutes to an hour consulting with the doctor and when I come out into the waiting room...I am the only one there. When I have a PET Scan, Blood work, X-rays, etc. they are always waiting for me. No rush of people. No rules preventing my family from being with me. No weird smells. Peace and Respect.
Well worth the drive.
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