On December 23, 2013 I finally got an appointment with a dermatologist in Geneva. This doctor does not have office hours everyday in the clinic, so it seems hard to get hold of somebody by phone to make an appointment. Previously when I called to schedule an appointment, the secretary forgot to record the appointment in the computer, so I drove to the office in vain. That was when they gave me the appointment on Dec. 23, 2013. I wanted a brief consultation.
A few years ago when I watered my plants, a tiny cactus needle got into my right thumb. I used a needle with my left hand trying to take the needle out, but failed. The wound healed. But sometimes it hurts. Sometimes the area became a little swollen. To my surprise, the doctor said he could do a surgery right away to remove the needle. I am the kind of person who always find it so hard to say "no". So I just listened to his words. But later on, when he was preparing for the procedure, he said since the needle was small, it might not be possible to take it out. I was thinking, then why did he want to do a surgery then?! He used a big needle ti inject anesthesia - it was very painful. Then he used a knife to take out a piece of flesh from my right thumb. He sent that piece to the lab at Cantonal Hospital. The Hospital lab did not find any needle in the piece of flesh.
I heard that in Switzerland or Geneva, any time when anesthesia is applied, the doctor could give the patient a certificate to rest from work. I told the doctor that work with computer, using my hand a lot, he did not give me a certificate to rest from work. He said, "you can work, you can type. No problem". He did not prescribe any pain medicine, either. In the evening, when the anesthesia wore out, the surgery area was so painful that I could not sleep. I went to the pharmacie as soon as I could to buy pain killer. For the next few days, I had to hold my hand up to help reduce pain. I could not type, I could not cook, I could not wash..... the thumb got so swollen - it got infected. I was put on 7 days of antibiotic. I had told the doctor that I had been taking medicine for a chronic disease, and I can easily get infection. Obviously this doctor totally forgot about that. After the antibiotic, the thumb was still swollen and painful.
I wrote to the dermotologist to complain and cancelled the follow-up appointment with him. Eventually I went to an emergency clinic, with a few more bills for blood test, x-ray......
I received a bill for SF341.10 from the dermotologist. I asked my insurance if I could refuse to pay the bill. My insurance is not a local Swiss insurance company, and their policy is that this kind of matter is between the patient and the doctor. I heard that Swiss insurance companies will do something about unsatisfactory medical practices. I do not have any ideas about the real situation in Switzerland regarding this kind of problem. I was even thinking maybe I should consult a lawyer. The doctor wrote back and said he was sorry that I did not go back to him for the follow-up appointment. I feel that this surgery was not necessary. It was poorly done. The doctor was not sensitive to patient's condition and needs. Should I hold the doctor responsible? Or should I pay the bill and forget about this problem?
Do as the Romans do - what would a local Swiss person do? Thank you for any advice you could offer! Best wishes!
