First visit to the toubib

[Rob G]

More of a comment than a question, really.

Having moved to Normandy (76) at the end of November, we today had our

first experience of French healthcare. My son was off school for the

second time in a few days with stomach ache and diarrhea, so we thought

it best to take him to the doctors. We picked one in the town that is a

husband and wife team, not too far from where we lived. I rang up this

morning and made an appointment for 11:15.

We arrived at about 11:10, to find a handful of people waiting. After a

few minutes, one elderly lady informed the rest of the attendant throng

that the lady before her had been in for over an hour now, and that her

own appointment was meant to be at 9:30 (it was now nearly 11:30).

Apparently, they book appointments at 15 minute intervals irrespective

of the nature of the appointment, and then impose no real time limit on

each consultation. We eventually got in at about 1:20 - over two hours

late. Needless to say, we won't be rushing back to that particular

surgery - I just hope we can find another one that's a bit more

efficient.

The consultation itself underlined to us the French obsession with

healthcare. The diagnosis was simple enough - "gastro" - i.e.

gastro-enteritis - what we Brits would commonly call a "stomach bug".

Bu where we are accustomed to being sent away with no prescription for

this type of viral infection, my son was prescribed three different

medicines - one to help him digest food, one to counter and recurring

stomach pains, and one to aid rehydration after diarrhea. We were also

given lots of advice about what foods to give him and what to avoid

etc, and what medicines to use in the event of a fever. Having got our

diagnosis and satisfied ourselves that it's just a virus that should

run its course in the next couple of days, we binned the prescription,

preferring not to pay an astronomical amount for medicines which will

only treat the symptoms rather than the cause anyway.

The French boast about having a very good healthcare system, but I'm

convonced they're a nation of "malades imaginaires" - aka

hypochondriacs - every slight ailment has to be classified, discussed

at great length and treated. The one that amuses me most is the good

old "crise de foie" - a term which seems to cover a multitude of ills

and has no reliable translation.

Rob

[Opalienne]

I think there are some very good things about the French healthcare system, but have to agree about the over-prescription.   I get bronchitis four or five times a year.   I go to the doctor because it is normally due to a bacterial infection for which I need antibiotics.   But in addition I get sirop to make me cough up phlegm (two bottles); sirop to stop me coughing (two bottles); analgesics (three packs); suppositories (!) to stop me coughing at night; and sleeping pills.   I have tried refusing these on the grounds that I already have more than enough at home, but the doctor is always insistent that I should take them. 

 

[Teamedup]

The good thing is that you can tell them at the pharmacie that you only want one of the objects and if by chance you later need something that you didn't want, you can take that prescription back to the pharmacie  and get it.

 

You will have to sign up with a doctor RobG, so best to ask around and see what folks say about the various toubibs in the area.

[KathyC]

Is a toubib a GP (medecin traitant)? Never heard the word before. Thanks

[Teamedup]

Quite simply a doctor (of medicine).

[PossumGirl]

[quote user="Rob G"]

We arrived at about 11:10, to find a handful of people waiting. After a

few minutes, one elderly lady informed the rest of the attendant throng

that the lady before her had been in for over an hour now, and that her

own appointment was meant to be at 9:30 (it was now nearly 11:30).

Apparently, they book appointments at 15 minute intervals irrespective

of the nature of the appointment, and then impose no real time limit on

each consultation. ...(edit)

The French boast about having a very good healthcare system, but I'm

convonced they're a nation of "malades imaginaires" - aka

hypochondriacs - every slight ailment has to be classified, discussed

at great length and treated. The one that amuses me most is the good

old "crise de foie" - a term which seems to cover a multitude of ills

and has no reliable translation.

[/quote]

Personally, I like the fact that our doctor takes the time necessary with each patient and actually listens to what I have to say.  He takes my specific needs and attitudes about various treatments/medications into account and has no problem with me being a partner in my own healthcare.  I'd rather sit and wait a bit longer in the salle d'attente, rather than feel rushed when it's my own turn to see him.

Every country has their own attitudes towards health and healthcare.  Perhaps some people in France go to the doctor more frequently than necessary, but I know just as many people back in the States who do it as here.  As to hypochondria, that's pretty universal as well.

Randy

[Rob G]

I agree that it's good that the doctor takes the time to discuss each

case in detail. I've experienced doctors in the UK (our last family

doctor was a case in point) who seem utterly disinterested and say as

little as possible. Don't get me wrong - the doctor was very kind and

thorough once we eventually got to see her. I just find it a bit much

to have to wait for over two hours (especially with a child), and

somewhat amusing that three prescriptions are given for a diagnosis

which in the UK would have received no prescription.

In reply to the other replies above, it's useful to know that you can

be selective about which bits of a prescription you actually get - we'd

been wondering about that. And we will be asking around some of our

French friends here for recommendations so that we can try some other

doctors before we choose our "medecin traitant".

Finally, "toubib" is just a familiar term for a doctor.

Rob