Lack of diagnosis was one thing. Lack of continuity of care, another. I learned it is was impossible to have “his” doctor see him through this dreadful journey. I learned about hospitalists—doctors of various degrees of experience who have never seen the patient before, have no chance to develop any understanding of the person who is the patient, and who are the gatekeepers at hospitals these days. They may be excellent doctors—who knows? They interrupt what is already a difficult path to continuity of care, and once the patient leaves the hospital they will likely never see the patient again. Like all of us, they make mistakes, but they really do not have to face the consequences of a misdiagnosed stranger who is spirited away to live or die under the care of some other doctor who may or may not be acquainted with the patient. It is not an easy picture, and is widespread. Why and what can we do about it?

As the population ages–and this is a retirement town–the frustrating experience with hospitalists and lack of continuous care will become more common. The community and our loved ones deserve better.

We found a doctor close by and walked into his office unannounced.

As we walked in we noticed differences between his office and what we were used to in the U.S. We were not greeted by a large fish tank filled with tropical fish. Chairs in the waiting room did not match but were perfectly serviceable. We told the receptionist we would like to see the doctor but had no appointment. She said “fine” but we would have to wait our turn. We were not given a ream of papers to fill out. No paperwork at all.

The doctor soon escorted us to his office.

After a good and unrushed exam he went to his cupboard and got some pills and said “try these-they should work.” No charge for the pills! My wife then told him that her foot was sore. She thought she might have a broken toe. The doctor felt around the toe and said it was not broken, only bruised. Here at home we would doubtless have been sent down the hall or somewhere else for an x-ray. Not so with this doctor. He advised what to do and he was right.

By now I was liking Belgium more and more—but like turned to love when the doctor told us the charges: “just 24 euros(about $32) he said, “same price as citizens.” My wife only had a 50-euro bill. The doctor pulled out his wallet and made change and then personally escorted us to the door. This is an example of so called “socialized medicine.”

Did I tell you one reason I love Belgium? I love Holland and New Zealand for the same reason