Swedish Doctors

I went to the doctor a couple weeks ago (spoiler - I'm fine) because my eye lids had been twitching for over a month. It was getting a little worrisome and annoying, so I decided to attempt the inevitable confusion that would come with trying to visit a general practitioner.

First, I went to the place next to the grocery store I frequent. They turned me away, saying there was a place I was "registered" at, and I could only see a GP at that location. I had no idea where it was. When I tried to call, I could not figure out the automated phone system. I printed a map, walked in, went to two wrong reception desks, and finally found the right place. I made an appointment and had the following exchange with the nurse:

Nurse: Where are you from?

Me: The USA.

Nurse: How do you like it so far?

Me: I really like it; we can walk everywhere and it's a really good quality of life.

Nurse: Yes, but the malls here are not open as late ! And here they are so small. You must miss your malls.

I mean, I guess I kind of miss a few stores IN the malls, but I'm alright overall.

On the day of my appointment, I waited in a very comfortable waiting room. It looked like a living room, without looking tacky. Jazz played on a small stereo, and everyone hung up their coats and bags on the coat hangers. It didn't feel like the typical doctor's office to me.

That taken care of, at the time of my appointment I was called into a doctor's office. She didn't check my weight, temperature, or blood pressure. She didn't take notes and she didn't open a computer program to register the appointment. She simply sat across from me, with no desk in between us, and asked me very sincerely, "What can I help you with?" She proceeded to listen so attentively, asking me all sorts of thorough questions. She even asked, "Why does this worry you?" but not in a condescending way. When she asked me, "Is there any particular disease that you are worried this could be related to?" I told her that I wasn't afraid of a disease, but perhaps a neurological issue. She took me completely seriously.

To be fair, I have a serious bias against doctors. I have had weird issues like daily stomach issues or daily hives and rashes, only to have doctors tell me there was nothing wrong with me or that it wasn't worth investigating. I have had bad experience after bad experience. To have this woman take me seriously felt so good.

She did a full neurological exam on me, testing my reflexes, vision, and all other sorts of pokes and response tests. She then consulted with a colleague while I waited, and delivered the diagnosis: I was probably just a little stressed, and I should relax if I could. And I believed a doctor for the first time ever, because she had been so patient and attentive.

I can't say for sure if she is representative of an entire Swedish system, but I have to say, that at this point I am starting to believe that it's better than America's.