My fav Clinic was on a Friday which was a follow up of patients who had undergone extensive surgical intervention and rehabilitation. Seeing them walk or being wheeled out after being discharged from the Dept was a hi-light. Even after moving from the area and returning for holidays and to meet up with friends, some patients would stop me and DH in the street and update me on their progress.
When I moved to England I offered my services as an on call medical secretary but MY how technology was different! Computers out of my ken
with no one on hand to show me which programmes were being used ...... it was very hit and miss too as when I would get the call so after 3 months I got a job in the private sector which meant less contact with patients but more insight into the troubles that people regularly found themselves in - that's where typing medical insurance reports began.
Also conditions are managed differently now with more knowledge and technology available = longer waiting lists for diagnosis and treatment. Also the mentality of GP referral to a speciality, patient being seen and the Consultant recommending treatment has pushed the care emphasis back - as with not being followed up after surgery in that patients seem to be discharged back to the GP ........ 'in my day' the Speciality took on total care until patient was ready for discharge: X-rays, blood tests etc. were done in the hospital either whilst an in-patient or out-patient.
