I arrived at the polyclinic around 2pm. Registered and got assigned a number: 2376. Usually, I'd go to the polyclinic around 4pm so as to limit my waiting time (because the polyclinic would clear everyone by 5pm+), but I was already out in the morning, so I thought what the heck...
Waited and waited.
Witnessed a somewhat senile wheelchair-bound lady yelling at the air, with her helpless and embarrassed Indonesian maid beside her.
Finally, after 2 hours, it was my turn.
Got into the room. The doctor was not local. I only managed to show and tell him about my palms.
BM: You see... I have this rash on my palms... They are very itchy.
Doc: Anything on your feet?
BM: Feet? No, but I have a rash on my legs too.
Doc: Nothing on the feet?
BM: No, but I have a rash on my le...
Doc: Any flu symptoms?
BM: I was down with flu-like symptoms a day before the rash appeared on my pa...
Doc: It can't be Hand Foot Mouth... Blah blah blah...
The doctor very quickly concluded and literally said bye bye to me. In 2 minutes, I was out of the room. He ignored the rash on the legs, and I didn't even have a chance to talk about my face.
I walked out of the room, totally dissatisfied. But since he wasn't listening, I didn't want to argue with him. It'll do my rashes no good. And I was surprisingly calm. I thought about the doctor, and how he would communicate with the elderly patients who spoke little or no English. Then looked at the clock. It's just past 4pm. So I did what an inefficient system sets itself up to receive... A recurring request.
I went downstairs to the registration area, and got myself registered again. To see another doctor. This time my number was 249X. Can't remember the last digit.
Upon hearing my account, the lady at the registration counter immediately got her supervisor to talk to me. I didn't ask for her supervisor. She probably thought I was gonna get upset about the situation and got her supervisor to deal with it anyway.
The supervisor listened to me and said stoicly,"The patient load today is very heavy." To that response, I had an instant operations and policy rebuttal, but it's not gonna help get me the medical attention I wanted any sooner. So I said,"Yes, I can see that. I just want to see another doctor. I'll wait. It's OK." And of course, I did. For another hour.
Then... A lovely local doctor who, despite taking 3 phonecalls in-between, listened to me patiently and explained her recommendations (different from the first doctor) clearly. Ahhh... The polyclinic I am familiar with.
In total, I spent almost 4 hours in the polyclinic, paid SGD12.80 for consultation and drugs, and got the medical attention I wanted.
I doubt I'd be so calm about the episode if I were working. But then again, if I were working, I wouldn't have to use the polyclinic. So, can we conclude that the polyclinic is for people who have a lot of time to spare, and/or have no alternative healthcare option?
Is this encounter a result of foreign vs local talent?
I don't think so. The last time I was at the same polyclinic, the doctor was a foreigner and very patient in listening and explaining to me. I also know local doctors with personal issues which take control of them, resulting in unrestrained outbursts at colleagues and patients. So, it's not really a foreign vs local doctor/talent issue.
I think the polyclinic/'public' hospital system is a little wonky in terms of ability to deliver consistent service quality because it has to cope with a quick surge in population. And perhaps, it's not that crucial to correct such kinks.
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