Medical treatment

Since being plagued, I’ve noticed a few interesting things about medical treatment here…

·         When you enter the waiting room, you say “hi,” to everyone.  However, an individual getting (with the accompanying kiss) isn’t necessary.

·         You DO greet your doctor with a kiss as you arrive and leave. (This wasn’t much of a surprise, as all the therapists and employees at El Bohío greet the clients with a kiss.)*

·         At one doctor’s office, I paid the doctor directly (it was $40 pesos, about $12 dollars for the visit); at another I paid at the reception desk.  One time I didn’t have exact change (I had a $50 for the $40 visit), so the doctor told me to not worry about it, and just pay next time.  (He had none of my contact information, besides my name (misspelled), and no guarantee I’d return.)

·         As I was leaving this day, I suddenly remembered to ask, “Oh, when do I come back?” And he answered, “When you finish the medication, ten days after that.”

·         It pays to shop around.  I was originally referred to a doctor that charged $150 pesos/visit, before finding the one who charged $40.  And finally,

·         This is more of a tip…take a written copy of anything with you.  I got prescribed the wrong medication because one type started with an “e” while the other didn’t…the doctor thought he heard an “e.”

Back to working on my accent!

*On a slightly related note, I tried explaining mistletoe to a group at Christmastime, and they had a hard time getting it, as they kiss everyone, and thought it was weird to have a tradition like that.  I guess it would be the same as if we had to shake someone’s hand when they stood under mistletoe.