Ceci n'est pas un blog

We recently got S and H in to see the doctor. It's been a while. Between the fiasco of getting their person numbers and some minor confusion around how you choose a primary care physician and make your first appointment, it took a while. But there we finally were.

S had picked a primary care doctor who is away on holiday so we were scheduled to meet her back up, a young Norwegian who studied in Denmark and married a Frenchman. She kept saying "oui" and "well, in Denmark it works this way ..."

The facilities were very nice; an old building being renovated to a modern aesthetic and standard. H said, "we might be in a museum".

As many of you know, S broke her leg in the French Alps and received extensive and wonderful care for 68 USD. In the arctic reaches of Northern Sweden, she broke her arm and received x-rays, cast, medicine and a visit from a consulting physician for 100 USD. In Texas, with insurance, her sprained ankle cost us over 500 USD out of pocket.

Our experience with socialized medicine has been universally positive and the young doctor who saw us here was no exception. When we reached the edge of her expertise, she referred us to a specialist. When we discussed various medications, she was current on recent studies and could explain why Europe is discontinuing some medications allowed in the US. And they were very good with H.

The one difference seems to be that in Norway they don't measure every vital stat on every visit. You say why you are there and they talk to you about that. On the one habd this seems very matter of fact and straight forward, on the other, the doctor isn't seeing changes to your weight and blood pressure that might be red flags. I don't know. Basically, I was impressed with the level of care relative to my GP stateside.


Unfortunately, I missed visiting H's new school. Despite two attempts, one in the rain, S wasn't able to meet the director but the rest of the staff were accomodating and she and H were able to tour the classes, meet some teachers, and play cash register games with the child of our future landlord. (that was sort of an exhausting sentence)

Tomorrow I'm hoping the rain will end and we will be able to get out a bit more. H is a bit stir crazy but can only play in the puddle for so long before getting cold and damp. Surely St. Hans wants us to see the sun shine.