"being a doctor,being a patient: nothing special"

As I was brought to the Emergency room and been face to face with the  receptionist after my car accident. I was asked  multiple questions as required; I answered all of those and without any salutations of Dr. or MD with my name. I was asked to wait in the assigned area. I followed promptly as I wanted to be an exemplary patient, shy of being found as a doctor in house.

The wait time added on in minutes turning in to hours but nothing moved. In the mean time family and friend support was available as a God sent blessing.

Being a patient with suspected whiplash and concussion who had reported earlier to front desk with symptoms of headache, nausea, lighthededness, feeling of passing out and elevated BP did not moved anyone that day. People around  me were suffering from cough and pain , and other undisclosed ailments. The place was full of ailing humanity and interestingly a doctor was also in attendance on the receiving end of health care system. He was quite as affraid of being spotted, or judged for any preferential treatment he may receive. He got nothing but that day made him feel ignored and fearful.

That day, no one came to do BP check until four hours after, and no actual assessment was ever done  including to shine light on pupils whether equal and reactive, or even to see window to my soul.

Who do I blame?
No one or every one there on that day.

There was no triage, that was a problem. The system need  an overhaul, probably a full circle of same human touch as was in the prehistoric era of pen and paper, when actual RN or MD were seeing you as an intial triage. I observed that staff were busy in talking about call schedules, vacations times, end of shift issues but no one did an intial triage on me.

That day proved that we all are equal in suffering, we all suffer the same way unless we learn from it. I am glad that day I survived against the man made odds; clearly remembering that what does not kill you  make you strong to have a good fight on an another day.