Doctor, Doctor

Ah, the Italian medical system. It has it’s good points and it’s bad points. There are things here that are done much better than the way they are done in the states, and then there’s worse. Of course, the best part is that, unless you go to a private doctor, your doctor visits are free and, if she (my doctor’s a woman) writes you a prescription it costs the incredible sum of 1 euro. (It used to be free, but they made it a euro at the beginning of this year. Still, I can afford that.)

Going to the doctor can be an experience though. First, when you register for the medical system here, you pick a primary doctor. That is the doctor that you must go to from then on. (Since we only have one doctor in town, it wasn’t hard to pick.) The doctor then has regular office hours during which time you show up when needed. There are no appointments, there’s no receptionist to greet you, no nurse to take your temperature or blood pressure. No, you just show up in the waiting room and take note of how many people are there ahead of you. You’d better pay close attention too so that you know when it’s your turn.

Depending upon the time of year, time of day, etc. there may be a ton of people there, or just a few. A lot of people show up and get in line long before she opens at 8. I’ve figured out the system though. I usually go in the evening when she has hours for those who are working. The morning time is for retired people and housewives. But, if I have to go during the day on any day but Tuesday, I try to show up around 10:00. By that time, the line is usually shorter. If I go at 8 I usually end up waiting until around 10 anyway, so it’s better to wait until 10.

Why Tuesday though, you may ask? Well, Tuesday here is market day and people have better things to do than go to the doctor. So, if I have to go, I go on Tuesday morning at 8:30 and may have to wait for one or two people.

When the person before you comes out of the Doctor’s office, you head in. The Doctor will then ask you what’s wrong and do whatever necessary based on your symptoms. Again, there’s no nurse. If she needs to give you a prescription, she sits down at the computer and types it up and prints it off. While she’s talking to you, she’s also typing information into her computer. We’re very fortunate with our doctor. She’s professional and efficient and genuinely cares about her patients.

Now, if you have to go for tests, there’s yet another experience. Forget about getting them done in the Doctor’s office, as happens so often in the states when it comes to blood tests. The Doctor will give you a prescription that you need to take with you to the hospital to get your test. For a simple blood test, there’s no need to make an appointment, but for x-rays or other tests, you need to call ahead and schedule an appointment. You can also do this on a private basis. You may get it done quicker but you will also pay more for it.

First you must go to the cash register and pay your “ticket” (yes, that’s what it’s called here, the English word, ticket). Depending upon the test, it’s really not much, ranging from a few euros up to around 40 for more elaborate tests (at least, from what I’ve seen. I’ve never had a major test). For blood tests, once you pay, you then go to get in line again where they give you a sheet with the test names on it and a number. If the doctor ordered a urine test, you’re expected to bring it with you in a container you can get from the pharmacy. They’ll usually give you another one when you turn one in so that you always have one at home.

When they call your number, you go into the room, bare your arm and put it on the pillow. Then they unceremoniously pop the needle in, take your blood, slap an alcohol-soaked wad of cotton on your arm and tell you to put pressure on it. Then they call the next number. You’re expected to go out in the waiting room, keep putting pressure on your arm, and, once it seems to have stopped bleeding, you throw your cotton wad in a trashcan that is placed conveniently there and you’re on your way.

On your slip is printed the day when you can pick up your test results. On or after that day, during the hours listed, you show up, give them your slip, and they give you an envelope with your test results that you then have to take back to your doctor.

There are no bells and whistles in this medical system. But, then again, I don’t have to pay much for it either.

Private doctors and clinics are a whole other story. I’ll save that for another time…..

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