Friday Health & Wellness

Yep, I’m A Pouty Patient

I spend my days talking to patients.

I answer questions.
I explain delays.
I review referrals.
I help people navigate the healthcare system.

Every day I hear frustration, disappointment, worry, and fear.

This week, I became one of those patients.

Yep.

I’m a pouty patient.

I had an appointment scheduled with my primary care provider. I had my questions ready. I had coordinated transportation with my daughter because I no longer drive. I was prepared.

Then I found out my appointment had to be canceled.

Why? Because the doctor will not be available.

My MRI has not been approved yet.

Suddenly, I was sitting on the other side of the phone call.

I understood exactly why it happened.

I understood the process.

I understood that nobody was trying to make my life difficult.

And yet…

I was disappointed.

Very disappointed.

The funny thing is that I spend all day explaining delays to patients. I tell them that referrals are still being processed. I explain that insurance authorizations take time. I reassure them that staff shortages, provider shortages, and administrative reviews can slow things down.

This week I got to experience that frustration firsthand.

Google reports that delays in medical care often occur because of prior authorization requirements, provider shortages, scheduling backlogs, and insurance reviews. Millions of patients experience these delays every year.

Knowing the reason doesn’t always make waiting easier.

When you are hurting, waiting feels longer.

When you need answers, waiting feels longer.

When you have coordinated transportation, rearranged your schedule, and mentally prepared yourself for an appointment, waiting feels even longer.

I realized something important this week.

Most patients are not upset because they don’t understand.

Most patients are upset because they are anxious, uncomfortable, frustrated, or tired of waiting.

I know that feeling because I felt it myself.

As patients, we sometimes have to advocate for ourselves. We have to ask questions, follow up on referrals, verify insurance approvals, and stay involved in our care.

But we also need to remember that many of the people helping us are working within a system that is often overloaded and understaffed.

This week I was reminded that patience is easier to preach than it is to practice.

I am still waiting for my MRI approval.

I am still waiting for the next step.

And yes, I am still a little pouty.

But I also understand that I am not alone.

Sometimes the person answering the phone becomes the patient.

And when that happens, it can be a humbling experience.

Have you ever had to wait for an important medical test, appointment, or procedure?

How did you handle the wait?

Lady Flava 🌻