In almost every job the trick is distinguishing between what is part of the railroad (the 400 students) and what is still fixable, while the institutional peer pressure is to think none of it is fixable (the boring teaching). Having the medical equivalent of the boring lecturer however can be a bit worrying. This guy http://blog.sethroberts.net/ has convinced me a) that 90% are quite happy not to fix things and b) you don’t have to be a professional to spot things the professionals don’t notice because of a). And lastly that the outcome tracking is usually deliberately designed to assume nothing fundamental needs fixing, so don’t pick up these blind spots.

I went through some difficult medical issues a while back and I doctor-hopped until I found someone who took me seriously and whose demeanor suited me. I love my primary care physician whom I found on the first try. She was the only person out of about ten that I called who was taking new patients. She spends forever with me, calls specialists when necessary and I just generally trust her. She’s like my grandmother. 🙂

And I vote that yes, you can find the right set of professionals. It just takes persistence.

And I hope you’re well now and taking care of yourself! 🙂