Member-only story
When Your Doctor Uses Google to Diagnose You
I knew this doctor was up there in years because he seemed old and quaint when I last saw him fifteen years ago. But I found it refreshing that he ran an old-fashioned practice. When I called for an appointment, an actual person who was sitting in his reception area answered. She consulted a calendar right in front of her and offered me an appointment that was reasonably soon. This was so refreshing after dealing with remote booking centers that plugged me in for doctor’s appointments so far ahead that I would either be totally miserable or mysteriously cured by the time they arrived.
I was also being a bit lazy. I needed to see my audiologist, who shared office space with Dr. W. All I needed was an ENT who could answer a simple question. My initial experience didn’t disappoint. The friendly receptionist left the office as I entered to wheel a patient downstairs to meet the person who drove her to her appointment. “I’ll be right back to check you in,” she cheerfully remarked. Fair enough. She returned, took my name (no date of birth or promises that I did not have black lung disease required), and five minutes later I was in my audiologist’s office. She adjusted my hearing aids very competently. The only glitch was that her office phone worked sporadically so she had to use her cell to call tech support. Then she ushered me into Dr. W’s office.
