what's up, doc?

so today i had the dreaded "woman's doctor" appt.
you know, the one where you get to feel all cold and squeamish and horribly awkward as you discuss your sex life and health with a random phsyician's assistant...who is probably younger than you and getting some a lot more often.

it's been over a year since i've seen the doctor, and clearly i was not working when i went last. it was insane how many of the components of my work i saw in this one visit.
i guess only my coworkers will understand this post...but my marketing brain when haywire. i saw so many opportunities and leverage points along the treatment process i nearly went berserk.

i observed how i signed in, how long i waited, what was available for me to read, what pamphlets were on the counter. i noted what kind of healthcare staff took my vitals, my history, and answered my questions. i saw a rep for a competitor product to the one i'm currently working on walk in the door. i saw how she dressed, what she carried, how she interacted with the doctor. i counted the time i waited, cold and naked in the room, for the doctor to show up. i examined all the medical tools and supplies, and mused how i would recognize them anywhere, considering they were all manufactured by one of my previous clients. and how the wholesaler that supplies this particular clinic was also once a client.

there were some moments i felt like piping up, and saying hey! i know this. i know your world. i know how this works, so be real with me. at one point, after being relatively quiet i told them to run a fasting lipid panel, Hematocrit and Hgb, and calculate my Gfr. they looked at me in utter confusion. "are you in med school or something?" they said. in the end i didn't even get the labwork that i wanted becuase the doctor was a little iffy on the insurance situation. ah reimbursement-my favorite part of the treatment process.

anyways it was beyond weird to be on the consumer side of things for a change, and to see how what i do on daily basis actually affects the way thing are run. that is all.