For What It’s Worth by

It appears that my last two columns regarding the di culty which many patients are facing when attempting to make an appointment with their physician, or attempting to get someone to call them back regarding their medical issues, from doctors who are employed by the large hospital(s) in our communities have struck a nerve. I am used to receiving responses (thank you very much) from some of my articles, but never have I received so many at one time, and they keep coming. I thought this was a big problem for me personally, but apparently, it is an even larger problem than I thought. e emails that I have received are upsetting and at times heartbreaking. Elderly people without a doctor, when their physician of many years suddenly takes a leave of absence or retires, with no one to replace them. People who have to wait months, some nearly a year, to get on their physician’s schedule for treatment, some without the resources to know where to turn, and without guidance from the very institution with which they placed their trust.

In my opinion, and the opinion of others, the system is broken. We all deserve better than this. When people are sick, when people are hurting, when people expect to be treated, and are turned down, they feel abandoned, lost, bewildered, and angry. What’s worse, many of you have asked me to help. I wish I could, but like you, I don’t know where to turn. Still, since I have some public

Dr. Melfi, Ph.D.

voice, and a conscience that realizes we all have to do our part to help, I reached out to the hospital to see if they employed a patient advocate who could eld all the calls/complaints and frustrations, and guess what? I found a department that allegedly can help. It is known as the Patient Experience O ce, and the phone number is 772-223-4995. A er two phone calls and several hours later, my call was returned by a very nice woman who was willing to give me the opportunity to voice my concerns. She said she understood the frustration of having to wait for appointments for months, or having a doctor who no longer works there, nor replaced, leaving patients without a physician. She told me her o ce is open to any and all concerns, and she does what she can to allay those concerns, and will contact individual physician o ces to attempt to get earlier appointments.

When I asked her why there is such a long wait to get appointments, even for long-standing patients with doctors of record, she said that with the growth of the community and the large in ux in the population coming to Florida, there are simply not enough doctors to see patients. I nd that answer truthful, but frankly, unacceptable. She also stated that many doctors have le this facility, and have not been replaced, but that they are “working on it.” I don’t doubt what she says is true, but why are doctors’ leaving, and by leaving, I mean leaving our community unattended? Something has to change. is should not be accepted as the new normal. Sick people need to get well, it’s as simple as that. e question is, how can we do that without appointments or physicians? I am all for nurse practitioners. I am a nurse, rst and foremost, but nurses are not doctors, regardless of how intelligent they are (and they are!).

As well, I reminded the woman I spoke with that at the least, the front line of sta workers elding calls should be held to a higher standard of professionalism, by being kind, considerate and courteous, not rude and dismissive, like some of you have encountered. She agreed. So how much can she help? I don’t know, but personally, I still have to wait until the end of August to see my physician, even though I have been a patient of his for the past ten years.

For What It’s Worth, l appreciated her empathy on behalf of all of us, but it didn’t get me into my doctor any sooner. Maybe a few letters to the administration would be the incentive for change. en again, maybe not.

51 Boston team, for short DOWN

1 Day light?

2 “-- Had a Hammer”

3 Relating to Plato’s teacher

4 Dugout seating

5 Plumbing woe

6 Einstein’s birthplace

7 CBS logo

8 Semitic language

9 Region

10 Sediment

11 Seeger or Sampras

16 Winslet of “Titanic”

19 Pen uids

20 “Huh?’

21 Sitarist Shankar

22 Odometer reading

23 On the rocks

25 Cracker spread

26 Natives of Rome

27 Poet Sandburg

28 Young foxes

30 Borscht veggie

33 Gushes with pride

34 Street edge

36 Bakery array

37 Canyon sound 38 Incite

39 Actor’s quest 40 Gulf War missile

2.) Danny Howes is an Enrolled Agent (EA), which is the highest credential awarded by the IRS. This designation means that he is unrestricted as to which taxpayers he can represent, which IRS offices he can represent clients before, and what types of tax matters he can handle.

3.) East Coast Tax & Financial Planning is a year-round tax firm, meaning that if you ever have questions about or issues with your taxes, then you can get in touch with the actual person who completed them... no matter the season!

Experience the freshness of The Summer House, a new and beautifully decorated furniture showroom located in Jupiter, Florida. We hope you will visit our newly renovated store featuring living, dining, and bedroom furniture to meet your home needs. The Summer House is complete with unique and carefully selected pieces featuring stylish coastal indoor living styles. To further complement your home, we offer accessories to enhance the natural beauty and surroundings to the fullest. Guests are able to custom order or select items tastefully displayed on the oor.

Family owned and operated, The Summer House counts it as a privilege to be able to serve Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta, Stuart, and other surrounding areas. We hope that you will visit us and experience the warmth and comfort of our showroom and make The Summer House a part of your house!

Monday - Saturday from 10:00AM-6:00PM and Sunday from 12:30PM-5:00PM

The Summer House has everything from interior dining sets, barstools, occasional tables, sofas, accent chairs, sectionals, home theater seating, bedroom sets, rugs, pictures, lamps, some outdoor furniture (you know we couldn’t help ourselves), and so much more!

We would love to help you with any of your home furnishing needs, or we’d love it if you even just stopped by to say hello and check out our new store!

The Summer House address is 815 S US Hwy 1, Jupiter, FL, 33477. The hours are Monday - Saturday from 10:00AM-6:00PM and Sunday from 12:30PM-5:00PM. If you have any questions or would like to reach The Summer House by phone, then the number is 561-781-3696.

Thank you for supporting Patio & Poolside. We have the best customers, and we look forward to building the same high-quality customer relationships and providing you with exceptional furniture in every area over at THE SUMMER HOUSE!