While many of us have had personal experience at the SMU health center, it’s always easy to remember the “bad” experience and easy to forget the “good” experience. Too many students have negative perceptions and should be focusing on what the center can realistically do for them.
Some students complain they had to wait too long to see a physician or that their illness was mistreated. Generally, we seem to expect the same kind of care we would experience when dealing with our family or personal physician.
Are these realistic expectations? Let’s keep in mind the center’s mission is to provide students with general health care facilities. While the center has in excess of 10,000 prospective patients, its professional staff is small and facilities compact.
So, it’s to be expected that when the flu or stomach virus hits campus and patient numbers swell, the center’s resources are stretched and it may be a while before a student can see a physician and get the medicine necessary to get back on track. But then, when was the last time it was possible to just walk into your family physician’s office and expect to be accommodated?
Another commonly voiced complaint is that the center “misdiagnosed” students’ illness’ with the further comment that the medicine prescribed failed to arrest or dissipate the symptoms. Once again, who hasn’t experienced the same thing with their personal physician?
Health center personnel explained the center’s policies and procedures and highlighted the publications available outside the center that provide students with additional information regarding other health care facilities in the area. While appointments are encouraged, walk-ins are welcomed and assessed by a nurse to determine whether immediate care is necessary. If the need is not urgent, a later appointment can be arranged to see a doctor.
Regarding the “misdiagnosis” charge, the center personnel say many students come in at the beginning of an illness before all symptoms are detected. Many of these students tend to be those who come in for follow-ups, requesting another appointment for improper treatment. Thus, while these students feel they may have been “misdiagnosed,” it could simply be a case of coming in too early before all symptoms have manifested themselves.
So, while some students complain of inadequate care, perhaps we need to be a bit more realistic regarding our expectations and a lot more informed and cognizant of the center’s physical and professional capabilities.
About the writer:
Molly Phillips is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at mphillip@smu.
