In the building where my obstetrician works, there’s a walk-in clinic. It opens at 9 am. For the last few weeks, I’ve had an OB appointment shortly after 9, so I’ve arrived at the building just in time for the walk-in clinic to open. Every time I get there — this is always on a Tuesday morning — there are at least 50 people waiting outside the clinic for entry.

This morning I had an earlier-than-usual appointment at 8:15am, and there were already three people waiting in line.

Isn’t that crazy? Every day I thank God (and FameThrowa) that we have an actual, regular, family doctor, and that she kicks all kinds of ass and we love her. But a couple of years ago, when our family doctor left town rather suddenly and we were scrambling to find someone, anyone, it was really scary. There just aren’t any doctors that are taking on new patients in like, all of Ottawa. I’m sure we wouldn’t have gotten in with our fabulous new doctor except for the fact that we had two little kids, and she’s a big softie and took pity on our babies and so took on the whole family.

I have to say, if I had to live my life over again, I would definitely be a doctor. I would love to be able to help out with the shortage that exists in the medical world. Every week when I see those 50 people shuffling into the clinic, probably facing a multi-hour wait to see a doctor who has never seen them before and possibly won’t see them again…I feel so badly for them. Our country prides itself on how “everyone” can get medical care, but when people can’t even get the basic services of a GP, what is that about?

I wish I knew better what I could do about it, short of going back to med school. Sigh.