I love the way my primary care doctor does her appointments. I've been seeing a naturopath, and her appointments are in 30-minute blocks. I started going to her in 2019 after our longtime primary care doctor, an MD, retired in her 70s. She was a peach, but I wanted to see a doctor, one who practiced holistic/alternative medicine and who specialized in treating women's digestive issues that have been bothering me for years. I am very pleased so far with her care, but I'm even more pleased with the way she handles appointments.
The first few minutes we meet in her office and I'm sitting (fully clothed) on a comfortable sofa. Doctor and I talk in a non-medical environment before going to an exam room if she wants to look me over. The only “medical procedure" that happens in her office is she checks my blood pressure. She says it's more "real" when I'm on the sofa than if I'd be undressed and anxious in an exam room. She's right!!
This past week was my first in-office visit with her since the pandemic, when we planned my weekend fast over the holiday. We sat and talked for the first few minutes -- everything from reviewing the juicing and smoothies I would be doing, the enemas I would be taking and when, and how I would be "breaking" the fast on Monday evening with an avocado salad.
Then it was everything off except my panties and a gown for a thorough vital signs exam. She wanted to confirm that I was fit physically to take on a fast. Was I also emotionally ready? Overall, we spent 40 minutes together, her last appointment of the day. To be sure, she is a different breed of doctor, which is so rare today. I realize that naturopaths have a certain reputation among the MD community, but I feel so far that I am receiving excellent care.