Health Care in Brazil: My Positive Experience with Third World Medicine
As the assistant finished asking her last question, a door opened and my doctor invited me inside. First, we sat at her desk and discussed my general medical health, feminine health, pregnancy history and concerns. Though my Portuguese had progressed quite a bit during my trip, I am by no means fluent, and my doctor was attentive and patient. She directed me to a restroom where I could disrobe and presented me with a cloth hospital gown with a rosette print. The restroom was adjacent to an exam area that was organized and meticulous. The exam process and equipment used were no different than any other exam I´ve had in the US.
When my exam was complete, she asked me to get dressed and we sat back down at her desk together. She gave me a written prescription, lengthy instructions and told me when I should expect the results of my PAP smear (I was actually given two options: 3 weeks or, if I wanted, my results could be expedited in 1 week if I dropped my slides off at the nearby lab). She made sure I understood everything and asked if I had any questions before I left.
As she walked me out, my doctor said, "Beijos, tchau" (common parting words among family and friends in Brazil, translated: "Kisses...goodbye"). Every staff member said a sincere "Boa noite," (goodnight) as I passed on my way back to the car.
Across the street, I stopped at a pharmacy where I handed the cashier my prescription. Before I could ask him how long the wait would be, he was already ringing up my medicine. Unbelievable! I was in and out in less than 3 minutes.
The cost (in Real, the currency of Brazil) of my annual exam and doctor visit was $90, and my prescription was $60. In US dollars, the total worked out to be $62.70. Amazing! The attached photographs are of the clinic's exterior and a rendering of an office and exam room similar to the one I visited.
When my exam was complete, she asked me to get dressed and we sat back down at her desk together. She gave me a written prescription, lengthy instructions and told me when I should expect the results of my PAP smear (I was actually given two options: 3 weeks or, if I wanted, my results could be expedited in 1 week if I dropped my slides off at the nearby lab). She made sure I understood everything and asked if I had any questions before I left.
As she walked me out, my doctor said, "Beijos, tchau" (common parting words among family and friends in Brazil, translated: "Kisses...goodbye"). Every staff member said a sincere "Boa noite," (goodnight) as I passed on my way back to the car.
Across the street, I stopped at a pharmacy where I handed the cashier my prescription. Before I could ask him how long the wait would be, he was already ringing up my medicine. Unbelievable! I was in and out in less than 3 minutes.
The cost (in Real, the currency of Brazil) of my annual exam and doctor visit was $90, and my prescription was $60. In US dollars, the total worked out to be $62.70. Amazing! The attached photographs are of the clinic's exterior and a rendering of an office and exam room similar to the one I visited.
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