Now that I've had several doctor visits in Dubai, I'm beginning to understand their healthcare "system." I'll start with the positives. One huge perk is the fact that all visits and meds are 100% covered. I don't think I will ever get fully used to leaving the doctor's office or pharmacy without reaching for my wallet. The facilities are modern and spacious. The hospital I'll be delivering at only has private rooms, which were really nice. The hospital also has a policy that the baby stays with the mother at all times unless the baby needs medical attention. So there's no area where you will see all the newborns thrust together (and less chance of us taking home the wrong baby, haha).
And now onto my daily frustrations. The clinics here all have websites and the ability to request appointments online. Nice, right? Well invariably when I go to make my appointment 2 weeks out, the staff will call me and to let me know the doctor is available today or tomorrow. Then I have to go through the process of telling them that I don't need to see the doctor today, I'm scheduling my follow up appointment, etc. Then they tell me they can't schedule me that far out and I will have to call back. Every. Single. Time. On top of that, they apparently have a "don't ask, don't tell" policy when it comes to why your visiting the doctor and how much time you will need allotted for your appointment. They don't want to know if you need a procedure done and need an hour with the doctor. They won't schedule you that way. Very efficient.
No. 1 annoying factor is that everything requires pre-approval with insurance. It doesn't matter if you know and the doctor knows you have full coverage. Need a blood test? Come back in a few days once we have insurance approval. Need an ultrasound? Come back in a few days once we have insurance approval. Every. Single. Time.
Thus their "system" requires me to visit the doctor's office frequently and therefore location is key. Until recently, I was able to drive a measly 5 minutes to see my doctor. Last week I found out (only by chance) that my doctor is leaving to go to another location and they will not be replacing her. So there is no OB at my neighborhood clinic now. Seriously?!
Both Ram and I were hearing great things about this doctor at City Hospital so I called to find out when I could see her. The next available appointment is in September. No scratch that, there is a waiting list for appointments beginning in September. SEPTEMBER. I knew she was popular, but damn. Since I want to deliver at City Hospital, I needed to find a doctor that also delivers there because I heard that Dr. Good can pick up your file from any stage of your pregnancy and go forward. So the closest doctor is now a 30 minute drive one-way (without traffic). I met her earlier this week and she is nice and competent (more so than my first doc), so I guess I should feel relieved. I do hope I get in with Dr. Good though sooner vs. later. I plan to call each month to see where I am on that damn waiting list!
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| Private room with a sofa bed for Ram-ji and a shower/bathroom |
No. 1 annoying factor is that everything requires pre-approval with insurance. It doesn't matter if you know and the doctor knows you have full coverage. Need a blood test? Come back in a few days once we have insurance approval. Need an ultrasound? Come back in a few days once we have insurance approval. Every. Single. Time.
Thus their "system" requires me to visit the doctor's office frequently and therefore location is key. Until recently, I was able to drive a measly 5 minutes to see my doctor. Last week I found out (only by chance) that my doctor is leaving to go to another location and they will not be replacing her. So there is no OB at my neighborhood clinic now. Seriously?!
Both Ram and I were hearing great things about this doctor at City Hospital so I called to find out when I could see her. The next available appointment is in September. No scratch that, there is a waiting list for appointments beginning in September. SEPTEMBER. I knew she was popular, but damn. Since I want to deliver at City Hospital, I needed to find a doctor that also delivers there because I heard that Dr. Good can pick up your file from any stage of your pregnancy and go forward. So the closest doctor is now a 30 minute drive one-way (without traffic). I met her earlier this week and she is nice and competent (more so than my first doc), so I guess I should feel relieved. I do hope I get in with Dr. Good though sooner vs. later. I plan to call each month to see where I am on that damn waiting list!
I know it's frustrating, but take comfort in knowing that it's a way more sophisticated system than what they have in Scotland. I'm already anxious about the fact that Jonathan can't spend the night with me in the hospital. So for my first night as a new mother, I will be completely alone with my baby...Well, not completely alone; I'll be in a room with 6 other women and their babies. And, if I hadn't had a consultation issue, I would have potentially gone my whole pregnancy without even seeing a doctor.
ReplyDeleteIt's fascinating to hear about prenatal care in Dubai so keep us posted! I need to start posting about NHS, but if you don't have anything nice to say...