A doctor goes to the doctor...

I went to the doctor today.  I must say I did not like the experience.  The anxiousness, the uncertainty, the paperwork, the WAIT.  Are you kidding me?  Good lord.  I show up 30 minutes in advance (because I was not going to be THAT guy who showed up right at or a few minutes late for his appointment) like a good little boy.  Filled out the reams of paperwork, paid my copay and then waited.  And waited.  And waited.  This time gave me the chance to fester and smolder with angst and fear about what may transpire if I ever make it back to the sanctum sanctorum. One hour after showing up, I was taken back to the exam room but first I was shown to the "Scale of Truth".  This inquisition-esque monstrosity should be relabeled the "Scale of Shame" as the MA (medical assistant) had to keep clicking the balance farther and farther to the right.  Suddenly the cinnamon roll I had for breakfast felt like an anvil in my stomach (maybe this is where the extra 8 pounds came from?).  I have to make the obligatory comment to cover up my nervousness-something like "I think your scale is wrong" or "I was ten pounds lighter when I weighed myself naked this morning".  My patients' always seem to utter these excuses so I felt that maybe I had to as well.  The MA did not find this humorous at all.  I was then placed in an isolated room with nothing to read.  There was not even an old copy of "Country Living" from 2004 that I thought was standard issue in doctors' offices.  The same MA then returned and proceeded to take my medical history and ask me about my medications.  One never feels as old as the medical history that is given but I think I aged 10 years at that moment.  Wow.  That sucked.  Luckily the appointment went well and I was on my way.  This foray into the "Other Side" gave me a lot of perspective into how a significant number of my patients must feel despite the fact that I try to put them at ease.  I get them back on time, I have up to date magazines for them to read, I see them quickly and spend a lot of time with them.  So what can I do to ease the burden of coming to the doctor?  Aside from offering free coffee and cocktails, terry cloth robes and mood lighting, I think I do a pretty good job.  It may be that this is just the "nature of the beast"- I am in a profession that makes people uncomfortable. They feel out of their element, anxious and without control.  What I can do for them I do- a smile on my face, an unassuming attitude and my full attention when I am with them.  After spending a little time being the patient, I realize that MY patients probably don't care how much I know as long as they know how much I care.  I was hypersensitive in that office today and I let everything affect me as if I were about to get a rectal exam by Andre the Giant.  Why should I think that my patients are any different?  A calming attitude and polite demeanor will most likely help my patients more than any prescription I can give them.  Unless the patient has herpes...in which case the prescription will definitely help them more.