Comments on Heidelbergerin: My Experience in a German Hospital - Part I

@C Sorry about the blank spot in the last post. ...

2009-06-29T18:59:52.231+02:00

@C

Sorry about the blank spot in the last post. What it was meant to contain was relief to hear that you are fine, and continued wishes for the best, health-wise!

@C @Cliff, You're right to pick me up on my t...

2009-06-29T18:58:25.736+02:00

@C

@Cliff,

You're right to pick me up on my tone. And to my discredit, yes, I did mean to imply something like it.

I have had a few run-ins with Germany Inc. of late which coloured my view. Especially where it comes to dealing with those of other nationalities--let me bend you ear over it, soon.

That said, you are right to pick me up on what I wrote. We all share a common humanity, and my many German friends and colleagues display an unmatched warmth and kindness, from which I have benefited on many occasions.

So yes, what I wrote cannot apply to everyone, on all occasions.

With the help of the wise and generous Sarah, you remarked in a recent post that some people just like to complain. I'm afraid that when I wrote the comment, that was me!

Mm, the ambulatory clinic being located in the bas...

2009-06-29T13:43:33.890+02:00

Mm, the ambulatory clinic being located in the basement actually makes for a good guess at which hospital this was in since there are only two clinics in HD with setups like that.

Headbang - I'm fine :) Cliff - I definitely never...

2009-06-29T13:32:23.636+02:00

Headbang - I'm fine :)

Cliff - I definitely never lacked confidence in the hospital, but it was clear they were afraid I would because I was American. They seemed a little defensive when I asked so many questions and one of the answers insinuated that they thought I was insinuating that non-American hospital care would be of poor quality. I guess it's just something they've heard before. But also it's a symptom of the sometimes hierarchical doctor-patient relationship that exists everywhere (particularly with surgeons), which they are just now trying to start to chip away at in the US. (And the US is more fertile ground for this sort of movement, for cultural reasons.) Many people all over the world would never question their doctor.

G - glad you had a good experience overall!

I'll agree with HB8. I had an emergency admittance...

2009-06-28T20:17:15.261+02:00

I'll agree with HB8. I had an emergency admittance and while finding the folks very lovely, all with their British accents, they were very, perhaps the word is astonished, at my questions and my belief that I had a right to ask them rather than to do exactly as I was told.Great experience in the end, though.(And no, I did not get any of my info in English- you are apparently more privileged in the former West.)
CN- we know the happy outcome :), but what a way to leave us hanging.

HB8: Do you mean to imply that those character as...

2009-06-28T18:12:33.787+02:00

HB8: Do you mean to imply that those character aspects are especially lacking among all Germans? That's kind of how it reads to me over here. Was that your intent?

CN: I've been wondering for a while about this, since it was right before your visit to Regensburg last year. I'm sorry the whole experience was so stressful for you. I have to give my local neighborhood hospital props for the 12:30am emergency intake they did for me during my final gall bladder attack (about 9 hours before I found out that's what it actually was). I had the benefit of choosing when to have my ensuing surgery a few weeks later. I went through what sounds like an identical process (patients' rights, anaesthesia disclaimers, etc.) — but at a leisurely and confidence-inspiring pace. I'm quite pleased with the treatment — medical and otherwise — Sarah and I both got throughout the process. That might it much less of an ordeal.

Are you OK now, C? Best wishes for a speedy recov...

2009-06-28T16:45:09.702+02:00

Are you OK now, C? Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

I admire many aspects of the German character. Emotional intelligence, flexibility, and a lack of self importance, are perhaps not among them.

I'm curious which hospital this was in.

2009-06-28T16:18:24.943+02:00

I'm curious which hospital this was in.