If the Emergency Room in Yorkton is a place where officials are worried about too many people going to see a doctor for non-urgent care, they no longer have to be concerned with me. I will, gladly, die at home before I ever go there again.
Last Spring, I had a real sharp pain on the big toe of my left foot that lasted for about four days. I’m not one to run to the doctor for every little thing, so I chalked it up to a new pair of shoes and simply bought a different pair and when the problem, pretty much, went away I didn’t give it any more thought. Sure, I noticed that I had occasional discomfort from time to time over the last few months; but again, I didn’t feel as though I needed to clog up an ER or even my own family doctor’s office. (I also have to admit, I didn’t throw out the suspected shoes and actually wore them from time to time...so...must be the shoes, right?).
A couple of days ago, I got sore again. It was to the point that I couldn’t sleep and even putting a blanket over my toe caused a real sharp pain. Last night, I was doing a hockey broadcast in Melfort and throughout the game, my left foot felt like it was about a thousand degrees and I was dreading walking down the stairs from the press box! I got home around 1:30am and knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep, but also figured there was no point in going to ER at that hour as I can’t imagine a doctor would be thrilled to see me at that time and, realistically, there isn’t anything that can happen at that time of night that would be different if I simply wait until morning.
So, after everyone else got up this morning, I decided to go to ER. I was met at Admitting by a real nice woman who, right away, said, “I think you probably have gout. That’s really painful, I hope you can find some relief. Dr. Lee is in today.”
The nurse then took some information and she was very professional. I waited about 90 minutes in the waiting area (which I’m not complaining about. I can get my foot ‘comfortable’ if I do certain things, so it’s not like I was enduring pain during the wait). During my wait, I noticed that a number of other people requiring treatment were also sitting politely awaiting for their name to be called. Meanwhile, one of the slugs of Yorkton that was accompanied by two police officers, was getting real attentive medical treatment from the staff. He had, obviously, been involved in a fight with a fellow low-life. On his way out, he jawed at a couple of people in the waiting area and police escorted him out to the cruiser. Things started to pick up after he left.
Eventually, my name was called. I went into a room and Dr. Lee followed me in. He scolded me that ‘this is an emergency department’ and I needed to see a family doctor. Nevertheless, despite not looking at my toe other than through a very, very quick passing glance (I removed my sock even though he didn’t request it) he wrote me a prescription and said to take four times a day. My temperature was taken when I arrived and it was normal. It definitely spiked (in a road rage kind of way) after that quick visit. I do not have a history of going to ER. The only other time I can recall going in my ten years of living in Yorkton was about four or five years ago for strep throat. I have had strep throat before, so I know exactly what it feels like. I sat there for 2 ½ hours and opted to simply leave and deal with it for the next week. It’s not like I’m going to die.
I arrived to the pharmacy at Wal-Mart and the ladies that work there are fantastic. I know pharmacists get a good wage, but they should be paid more. She looks at the prescription and asks, “You have a problem with gout?” I said I didn’t know as the doctor really only saw me for between 60-and-90 seconds (not an exaggeration). I inquired as to what this medication is because if this pain is something that is simply going to go away in a day or two, I can survive without taking anything. I feel it’s important to note that I really don’t know what pain is. I have never had a baby, never passed a kidney stone, never suffered a broken bone, or anything like that. So, while my foot is sore and I can’t sleep at night, the fact remains I can put up with two or three sleepless nights if this is something that’s going to pass. If it’s something more serious, then I’d like it looked at because I certainly don’t want to feel worse than I do now.
The comment that takes the cake for me is that Dr. Lee instructs me to fill out my prescription and take four times a day. Meanwhile, the pharmacist (who is much more credible to me) insists that it should be no more than three.
I, usually, don’t give a second thought to anonymous message board posts, but upon viewing the patient comments here: http://www.ratemds.com/doctor-ratings/58898/Dr-Frank-Lee-Yorkton-SK.html, I see that my own experience is similar to a number of other remarks.
At the end of the day, I won’t ever go to the ER again, willingly, unless it is for my wife and/or kids. There is zero chance I re-appear there on my own steam. In addition to my bad experience with Dr. Lee, I witnessed another bad experience with a doctor through my hockey billet last year. That doctor in question, was also someone that appeared as an accused on two occasions in court! A third doctor, who no longer practices in Yorkton, was a frequent visitor charged with crime in the criminal justice system. Thankfully our family doctor, (Philip Fourie) is the best. He has provided excellent care to my wife and children over the years. I don’t know what we’d do if he ever left town. Dr. Spies also gets high marks in my books. He delivered two of our children and I have nothing but praise for his work and his bedside manner.
In closing, here’s where I see difficulty in the overall system: It’s possible that by the time I phone Dr. Fourie’s office on Monday that his availability to see patients on that day will already be gone. It’s also possible he won’t be in the office at all and I’ll have to phone back on Tuesday or Wednesday. If you believe the rumour mill, it’s also possible Dr. Fourie is on a bit of a leave for personal reasons (congratulations to him!) and his locum didn’t show up. It’s also possible I’m better by Monday or maybe my foot needs to be amputated by Monday. I think if my issue isn’t worth seeing at the hospital, a nurse should be in a position to make that call before I sit down to wait and if the call isn’t made, the doctor doesn’t need to make you feel three apples tall when he finally gets around to seeing you.
May your experience be better than mine!
Last Spring, I had a real sharp pain on the big toe of my left foot that lasted for about four days. I’m not one to run to the doctor for every little thing, so I chalked it up to a new pair of shoes and simply bought a different pair and when the problem, pretty much, went away I didn’t give it any more thought. Sure, I noticed that I had occasional discomfort from time to time over the last few months; but again, I didn’t feel as though I needed to clog up an ER or even my own family doctor’s office. (I also have to admit, I didn’t throw out the suspected shoes and actually wore them from time to time...so...must be the shoes, right?).
A couple of days ago, I got sore again. It was to the point that I couldn’t sleep and even putting a blanket over my toe caused a real sharp pain. Last night, I was doing a hockey broadcast in Melfort and throughout the game, my left foot felt like it was about a thousand degrees and I was dreading walking down the stairs from the press box! I got home around 1:30am and knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep, but also figured there was no point in going to ER at that hour as I can’t imagine a doctor would be thrilled to see me at that time and, realistically, there isn’t anything that can happen at that time of night that would be different if I simply wait until morning.
So, after everyone else got up this morning, I decided to go to ER. I was met at Admitting by a real nice woman who, right away, said, “I think you probably have gout. That’s really painful, I hope you can find some relief. Dr. Lee is in today.”
The nurse then took some information and she was very professional. I waited about 90 minutes in the waiting area (which I’m not complaining about. I can get my foot ‘comfortable’ if I do certain things, so it’s not like I was enduring pain during the wait). During my wait, I noticed that a number of other people requiring treatment were also sitting politely awaiting for their name to be called. Meanwhile, one of the slugs of Yorkton that was accompanied by two police officers, was getting real attentive medical treatment from the staff. He had, obviously, been involved in a fight with a fellow low-life. On his way out, he jawed at a couple of people in the waiting area and police escorted him out to the cruiser. Things started to pick up after he left.
Eventually, my name was called. I went into a room and Dr. Lee followed me in. He scolded me that ‘this is an emergency department’ and I needed to see a family doctor. Nevertheless, despite not looking at my toe other than through a very, very quick passing glance (I removed my sock even though he didn’t request it) he wrote me a prescription and said to take four times a day. My temperature was taken when I arrived and it was normal. It definitely spiked (in a road rage kind of way) after that quick visit. I do not have a history of going to ER. The only other time I can recall going in my ten years of living in Yorkton was about four or five years ago for strep throat. I have had strep throat before, so I know exactly what it feels like. I sat there for 2 ½ hours and opted to simply leave and deal with it for the next week. It’s not like I’m going to die.
I arrived to the pharmacy at Wal-Mart and the ladies that work there are fantastic. I know pharmacists get a good wage, but they should be paid more. She looks at the prescription and asks, “You have a problem with gout?” I said I didn’t know as the doctor really only saw me for between 60-and-90 seconds (not an exaggeration). I inquired as to what this medication is because if this pain is something that is simply going to go away in a day or two, I can survive without taking anything. I feel it’s important to note that I really don’t know what pain is. I have never had a baby, never passed a kidney stone, never suffered a broken bone, or anything like that. So, while my foot is sore and I can’t sleep at night, the fact remains I can put up with two or three sleepless nights if this is something that’s going to pass. If it’s something more serious, then I’d like it looked at because I certainly don’t want to feel worse than I do now.
The comment that takes the cake for me is that Dr. Lee instructs me to fill out my prescription and take four times a day. Meanwhile, the pharmacist (who is much more credible to me) insists that it should be no more than three.
I, usually, don’t give a second thought to anonymous message board posts, but upon viewing the patient comments here: http://www.ratemds.com/doctor-ratings/58898/Dr-Frank-Lee-Yorkton-SK.html, I see that my own experience is similar to a number of other remarks.
At the end of the day, I won’t ever go to the ER again, willingly, unless it is for my wife and/or kids. There is zero chance I re-appear there on my own steam. In addition to my bad experience with Dr. Lee, I witnessed another bad experience with a doctor through my hockey billet last year. That doctor in question, was also someone that appeared as an accused on two occasions in court! A third doctor, who no longer practices in Yorkton, was a frequent visitor charged with crime in the criminal justice system. Thankfully our family doctor, (Philip Fourie) is the best. He has provided excellent care to my wife and children over the years. I don’t know what we’d do if he ever left town. Dr. Spies also gets high marks in my books. He delivered two of our children and I have nothing but praise for his work and his bedside manner.
In closing, here’s where I see difficulty in the overall system: It’s possible that by the time I phone Dr. Fourie’s office on Monday that his availability to see patients on that day will already be gone. It’s also possible he won’t be in the office at all and I’ll have to phone back on Tuesday or Wednesday. If you believe the rumour mill, it’s also possible Dr. Fourie is on a bit of a leave for personal reasons (congratulations to him!) and his locum didn’t show up. It’s also possible I’m better by Monday or maybe my foot needs to be amputated by Monday. I think if my issue isn’t worth seeing at the hospital, a nurse should be in a position to make that call before I sit down to wait and if the call isn’t made, the doctor doesn’t need to make you feel three apples tall when he finally gets around to seeing you.
May your experience be better than mine!
Yep going to ER's is a lesson in futility but sometimes they are a necessary evil. I have a problem finding a local DR that will listen and take me serious. I hate going to Drs but when I do it is for something that needs to be looked at. I don't want to be told I am a Hypochondriac and later and later much later (about 5 years) there is something serious. That is what happened and after going to alternative places and hundreds of dollars later it would have been resolved if he would have sent me to a specialist that I asked of him to begin with. UGH
ReplyDeleteI agree. I went in a few years ago feeling like I had the flu. There was one other person in the waiting area, and the receptionist told me that it would likely take till about midnight to get through (it was 5:00 PM at that time). I just went home and slept it off for a couple days.
ReplyDeleteI do know of a person who was glanced over in ER in a small community outside of Yorkton, sent home with a case of heartburn, and later that evening passed away from a heart attack!!
god forbid a tax-payer would clog up a waiting room full of welfare recipients...i had a similar problem in melville many years ago when i was told my child should go home and wait for the doctor because she (the doc) was tired...i told her to get on the blower and that i didn't believe in dragging a child to the e.r. for no good reason and when a different doc answered the call i was told 'it's a good thing you brought her when you did'....certainly made me feel better about the blast the receptionist got from me for her lack of effort in getting some help for a sick child.
ReplyDeleteLast year, in May, after having a hot bath, after a week long period of of cough, vomiting and diarrhea, I found I was unable to even get out of the tub and after 20 minutes of effort, had to slither out of the tub like a snake, having trouble controlling my muscles and walking like a drunk. I was rejected at the walk in clinic because I hadn't brought my health card. People in the waiting room were nudging each other, thinking that I was drunk. I was taken to the Emergency Department, barely able to walk, with very poor control of my muscles. I was immediately admitted where it was found that my sodium and potassium were dangerously low. I was treated for an uncommon type of pneumonia and the low electrolytes and remained in hospital for ten days. There were some things, like lack of shower facilities and such that I could complain about, but I am alive today from what I understand, through the efforts of Dr. El-Shoabi and the other staff members at the York Regional Hospital. It's the closest call I've ever had and I'm grateful for the care I received.
ReplyDeleteI went to the er for a severe ear blockage and was told they wouldn't do anything cause it was not an emergency that I would have to wait until Monday, and this was after waiting 2 and 1/2 hours wasting time, to see my family dr.
ReplyDeleteI told them that I felt dizzy and I had to work the next day and even in the shower my ears felt like there was little holes in my ear tubes and yet what would have taken 5 minutes I was sent away.
I'll never support the new hospital cause this old hospital for the care you get here does well.They need to fix all their health care cracks before even thinking of building a NEW hospital.