Lessons from a Dermatologist appointment

Getting older is an interesting trip. Notice, I did not say “old” or “mature.” I am in denial about the first and ill equipped for the second. So, we’ll stay with the concept of the journey toward an undisclosed and undefined destination (the “older” part … I am certain about my ultimate destination).

Part of this getting older thing is becoming acquainted with more and more doctors. In fact, I started writing this blog about one doctor while I was waiting in the office of another doctor. I’m actually healthier right now than I have been in several years, but I have more doctors with whom an annual checkup is necessary. A few years back, I had my first skin cancer removed, so now the dermatologist is a part of the annual schedule.

So this year at his office (I’m sure that HIPAA laws prohibit me from mentioning “his” name), I learned that I had a couple of pre-cancerous lesions that had to have the old freeze-off. Other than that, I’m looking good and I’ll be back to see him in February of 2016. So, all that was good news and hardly blog-worthy.

Here’s the cool experience that I had for the first time. I got an email reminder a few days in advance of my appointment. Nothing new there. But in the email was a link to all the necessary forms—you know, the ones that take 30 minutes to fill out—that I could download and fill out in advance and bring them with me to the appointment.

This brought up one important question: Why in heaven’s name doesn’t every doctor’s office do this? I mean it! Really! How cool would it be to do all that at home where all your information is handy and you can complete the task when it is convenient for you?

So, here are the lessons I learned:

I have a much higher regard for this office because they considered how to eliminate some of the frustrations of my visit.
It was an obvious win for me, but it was also a win for them that I came prepared.
My anxiety level was lowered because I wasn’t met with unanticipated expectations.
I am even more likely to recommend this office to my friends than I was before.
It made enough of an impression on me that I am writing about it in this public forum.

So what if we operated our churches, organizations, and businesses that way? This is not as much about “customer service” (a potentially unhealthy concept for churches) as it is about eliminating barriers to effective communication and relationships by streamlining and simplifying tedious, but necessary, processes. What if life had fewer “hoops” to jump through? What if I made it my goal to eliminate hoops for others? What if I decided I wanted to get “wiser” while I am getting “older?”