(edit title) Having trouble getting a doctor's apppointment Is it just my region or a general Swedish thing? Options

[janetp]

I'm getting a bit frustrated with trying to access healthcare in Sweden and was hoping someone can point me in the right direction or give me a little advice as to what I'm doing wrong.

I have been feeling very ill for over 4 weeks (muscle weakness, back, stomach and leg pain, stomach upset, in bed all day) and am having a huge problem accessing healthcare through vårdcentrals in or around Lund. Initially I had presented at the emergency room in Lund with severe pain and when I was released they specifically asked me to make an appointment with any local doctor to continue doing further blood tests to determine what was wrong. Since then, I have only had a telephone consultation and blood tests and have been unable to book an appointment where I can sit down in person with the doctor and be examined. Is this normal?

I have tried ringing early in the mornings and explaining my situation is an emergency (I have been stuck in bed for 4 weeks) but I only get offered a telephone consultations which do not gain any progress and have led me into a silly cycle of unrelated blood tests followed by telephone results over a week later. I really need to see a doctor in person!

I really don't want to bother the emergency room again when it is not immediately life-threatening but I am so confused as to how I can get a doctor's appointment in person within the space of a week. Currently capiokliniken in Lund says it has a 6 week waiting list for doctor's appointments.

Is it just the Lund region that is having difficulty providing adequate general practioner services or is there something I am doing wrong? Can anyone recommend an efficient service in the Lund area?

I'd really appreciate any advice. I understand healthcare systems work differently in every country so maybe I'm doing something wrong. I'm used to just phoning a secretary and being offered an appointment with a doctor at least within a week timeframe.

Many thanks,

Janet

[cbgbg]

I also have problems seeing my doctor, it can take 3 weeks until i can get a time. I know that in Göteborg we can book emergency times on the net. Have you tried a a practice which has drop in times. The only other link i found that might be of help is this
http://www.skane.se/sv/Webbplatser/Primarv...r-/?rsid=O18221

I hope it sorts its self out for you

[janetp]

Thanks for your fast reply. I don't know whether I should be comforted or disturbed by the fact that other people have to wait so long for doctor's appointments!

I haven't found a place with drop-in times yet but I do try and ring a local vårdcentral (that have done some of my blood tests) during their early morning phone time assigned for making emergency appointments. So far all I get is a doctor phoning me back who sends me off for blood tests conveniently bypassing an actual physical examination and leading me into a giant loop of blood tests and follow-up phone calls with test results.

I really come from the view where I feel that a doctor will make a much better judgement call when he/she sees you in person rather than talking over the phone.

Random question: If I ring around and find a different vårdcentral who can see me how easy is it for my old vårdcentral to send my blood tests results to date over to them?

I've a feeling this is going to be an epic battle for healthcare and I really don't feel like I have the energy for it right now when I feel so ill.

[Bender B Rodriquez]

Include mild chest pains in your description and you will get an appointment the same day.

This might be a silly question, but how have you been able to make blood tests without seeing a doctor? Only doctors can prescribe blood testing after consultation.

Many health care providers also have drop-in times, so try to phone around until you find one with drop-in hours or short waiting time.

[janetp]

It wasn't a silly question. The only time I have seen the vårdcentral doctor is for 5 minutes over 4 weeks ago when I was experiencing severe stomach pain and she sent me straight to the emergency room. She said that it wasn't within her realm to treat such severe stomach pain and that I needed to go to hospital. The hospital found nothing immediately life-threatening but said I need to follow it up more closely with my general doctor.

Since then I still have the same symptoms but the doctor will only talk to me via phone as they say they are too busy to do personal appointments.

I have a funny feeling that I may have just been seriously unlucky with my initial choice of vårdcentral (and most likely doctor).

Also I think I probably need to be more dramatic or something on the phone! I'm not used to having to complain a lot to get care (we're a stiff upper lip bunch!).

Thanks for your advice about drop-in times. I will try and hunt some down in my area.

[Opalnera]

The drop in times are good, you see the district nurse (for free) first who evaluates you and if they think you are sick you pay and wait for a doctor.

[cbgbg]

Janetp.

I just wondered if you managed to get a time in the end

[sarcastrix]

Go private: http://www.capiocitykliniken.se/Skane/Lund/start/

[Gordy]

Go private: http://www.capiocitykliniken.se/Skane/Lund/start/

Currently capiokliniken in Lund says it has a 6 week waiting list for doctor's appointments.