Dr. Google

I am still in shock over this one.

Let me preface this by saying Dr. Google is a nice person was smile-y and kind when I was in her office. I let it go that she was young because after all, aren't people always telling me how young I am. And don't I hate that? So I'm not going to attack the person here, I'm more attacking the system. Attack is too harsh though. What I really want to do is just INFORM you. Particularly in light of the recent legislation.

This news I just have to tell you. And if you want to tell your friends, please do.

I am not into politics, I leave that to my friend Paige who is kind enough to give me the layman's version of what is going on in politics since I have trouble following. I realize healthcare is not perfect the way it is now. But let's look at what you could expect if you do get nationalized healthcare back home.

Mediocracy.

I go into my doctor today (not really mine because it was my first time seeing this doctor) to hear about some blood work I had done a couple weeks ago. (No big deal, mind you, just low iron, so don't get worried, Mom.) She read my test results (that I have a copy of at home) pointed to the average to the right of my result and told me if it was normal or not (thanks, I can do that).

Let's keep in mind that you have 10 minutes with the doctor. That is not a lot of time. I found this out in my first appointment with NHS.

Can you imagine my surprise when she pulled up Internet Explorer and GOOGLED one of the tests via a pediatric site to explain what the function of said body part was and thus what the test indicated?

Okay, I thought, she must just use this site as like her desk reference. Maybe the whole practice has this bookmarked and uses it. I'll let this one go. Weird, but letting it go.

But then, when she GOOGLED another test (a basic one, mind you, and one that I understand to be relatively routine in checking for) to make sure my results were normal, I was FLOORED. I was even more shocked when she didn't go immediately to a site like the first time when I thought it was her reference. No, she scrolled down, reading those blurbs telling you what you might expect to find on that site, found one she liked and clicked. Again, I was FLOORED! What would you do if this happened to you?!

This was not okay. I quickly finished up with her, and left in a state of shock. She GOOGLED a test result. In front of me. I could have done that. Wait, I did do that. I did that last night with those same results.

I am in constant admiration of my friends who want to be doctors. They just finished their first semester, studying I would expect for some of the hardest exams they have ever taken. I have no doubt that they will do great things. But one thing I KNOW they will not do is this: GOOGLE a test result. In front of a patient. I understand you might use google to research something later. I understand you might need to look up the average test result in a book, or whatever, but surely you do that before the patient enters the room. If only for your own pride. You can't have everything in your head. But you shouldn't have to google something to explain a simple test to a patient.

So, America. Here I am living in England. We have the NHS. It is government healthcare provided through really high taxes. It is "free." Anyone can walk into a NHS clinic, show their residency in its coverage area and in our case, a visa, and receive its healthcare.

I'm sure there are doctors in NHS who would not google a test result. I hope this is the exception. But nonetheless, you should know what your congressmen and senators are voting for, and what you can expect from those actions.

Do you remember that saying "Nothing in life is free" or "There is no free lunch." How about "You get what you pay for?"

This is what we are headed for: Dr. Google. I got what I paid for.