These television ads promoting various drugs for treatment of nearly every disease known to mankind all contain the closing admonition to “call your doctor if symptoms persist,” or “call your doctor if you experience these side effects,” or sentences similar to those.
Problem is, have you ever found it possible to talk to your doctor on the phone by dialing in? Generally, you’ll get a recording that begins, “If this is a medical emergency, call 911.”
In my experience, even calling a doctor’s office to make an appointment can be a challenge. If you don’t get AI, you’ll get a receptionist who puts you in a queue behind two, three, four, or umpteen previous callers.
I’ve even left voicemail messages repeatedly that I’m ready to schedule the recommended cataract surgery, biopsy, CT scan, or whatever, and no one calls back.
I hope things are better in other parts of the country, but here in the southern part of The Stolen State — California — getting through to a medical practitioner can be either a) challenging or b) fruitless.
TV ads, of course, can’t say “call 911” or they’d totally freak you out, so they say “call your doctor,” even though getting through to that person when you call is probably next to impossible, if not completely impossible.
“We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.” Sure, and I’ll win the lottery tonight.
