French Doctors

Spring is here with nice sunny warm days! It's about time as I'm fed up with the rain and all the people complaining about the weather - including myself!! :) But the spring brings the pollen which brings the itchy nose and strings of sneezes. Long live my allergy specialist who gave me a new prescription without an appointment. He's Italian which I believe is the reason for his generous service.

While I had taken some days off last week I also had made sure to book yet another gynecologist appointment - the 4 this year!

I don't see myself as very fussy but I never compromise on hygiene which seem to be the case with all my so far chosen doctors... I'd love to hear other people's experience on this.

When I go to the doctor I expect a clean and uncluttered office, a doctor who use gloves and disposable equipment whenever possible. Not unreasonable demands I think.

Gynco no 1: had clean, new offices but a bucket full of used equipment from previous patients in plain view. I will refrain from any other descriptions here...

Gynco no 2: had an office so old and unkept that the wallpaper was falling off the walls, and had no modern equipment. The gynco chair must have been from the 50s although the doctor was fairly young. And she had used surgical equipment from preivous appointments in a bucket under my chair.

Gynco no 3: had a new office, with great equipment but turned out a little racist. That's what my French friends told me after I told them about the visit. And he kept all the patient files on the floor. ON THE FLOOR!! How hygienic is that?? There where piles all around us, though in that moment he seemed as the most competent so far.

At this point I was loosing hope of ever finding a decent doctor. Then I had to do a check-up in a different medical facility and I asked the doctors there for advice on a gynecologist and they sent me to Dr. L.

Gyneco no 4 : I booked an appointment for last week with Dr. L. It was a relief to see his clean office, a drawer full of disposable equipment and new and modern facilities. And after having talked with him for 5 mintues I almost cried. He took his time to explain and to listen to any questions. He was reassuring, caring and he came across very competent.

I was so relieved! So far I have learned that by waiting over a month for an appointment means that the doctor is popular. A popular doctor charges more but I couldn't care less. Don't stop looking for a doctor you feel you can trust with you health. And never compromise on hygiene - the decent doctors are out there somewhere and they are hiding but sooner or later you'll find the right one.