Whenever you are sick, there are a few options of treating yourself – at home, the polyclinic, hospital, or a General Practitioner (GP) clinic found near your HDB.

[Disclaimer: This is referring to the usual illnesses like flu, cough, fever etc]

I thought about writing this after a visit to my GP for a HPV vaccine (finally stopped procrastinating!). My GP, Dr Nah, always made me happy after the consultation.

Happy enough to write about 5 reasons why I love going to my GP:

1. Almost like your neighbour

Visiting the GP is the better option, given that it is right in the vicinity of your home. It would take about 5 minutes to walk over to the GP in your home clothes and slippers. Moreover, there are a number of easily accessible GPs in each neighbourhood.

Did you know there are currently 20 polyclinics and about 1,700 GP clinics!

MOH

Since different GPs also have various opening hours, you would more or less have a 24/7 on-duty doctor option available. We take about half an hour to travel to a polyclinic, or end up taking a cab. I usually visit polyclinics only when my parents or I have made an appointment.

2. A friend with a listening ear

Dr Nah is such a joy to be with especially in times of sickness. He has this sort of sincere eye-smile look whenever I enter the room, with his soothing tone and humble personality.

When I was staying in hall during university days, my roommate who was studying medicine shared that they had a few modules on ethics alone, and how to treat patients well. Diagnosing illnesses is already difficult enough, being a nice, friendly person is also important.

Each visit would start by a quick catch up on our lives like old friends. And he will type little notes on his computer, taking note of small details, when I switch jobs, where I went for my holidays, or how my family is doing. Then, he will share about his family and how his clinic is doing. We watch each other grow, be it physically or mentally.

I guess what we really need is not just medicine in the form of pills, but also healing from having a listening ear.

3. Knows your medical history

If you grew up visiting the same doctor whenever you are sick, your medical records would all be in one place. Over time, we would be able to discover if you have any drug allergies, and be prescribed with medicine that are suitable for you.

With my GP, I discovered some drug allergies, and he kindly compiled it and printed a copy for me to ensure that I have a record in case of any emergency. The GP would also be able to advise on certain drugs or vaccinations depending on those records.

I think it would be easier to check your medical records with your family doctor as compared to asking for your records at a hospital or polyclinic (since it is an institution with SOPs and certain clearances in place). The receptionist would be able to address your queries, as compared to asking around at different counters with different functions at hospitals and polyclinics.

With better technology, apps like HealthHub would help to keep track of your health records too (thank you Govt!). HealthHub allows “to track you and your family’s personalized health records, better health literacy and adoption of healthy lifestyle practices”. (Although to be honest, it hasn’t really been useful for me.)

4. Cheaper with CHAS

The CHAS card has gone through several iterations, but it has always been consistent in providing subsidies for each consultation. You can’t get subsidies using this card at polyclinics though, because polyclinics already charge subsidised rates, but is the lower polyclinic fee really worth it if you receive very minimal attention as a patient?

The CHAS card is just so efficient, with immediate subsidies after each consultation, and auto-renewal of your CHAS card by the govt and still inform you about it!

5. Fast and Furious

Yes, polyclinic rates are heavily subsidised, but are you really willing to wait for one to two hours to visit the doctor just to have a five-minute consultation, and be prescribed some general pills which you can easily purchase from the pharmacy on your own?

Well, I think not!

Because polyclinics is based on a appointment system, a walk-in will take a long time. You will be given an estimated consultation time slot during registration. So for example, I arrive at a polyclinic at 8.30am and walk in to register, but the time that I can actually meet the doctor can only be as early as 2.30pm. This does not include the waiting time for your medicine and payment as well. And even if you come on time for your appointment, past experiences tell me that the consultation time may be delayed.

Moreover, there are a few pit stops and movement required at the polyclinics:

1. Register at a self-registration kiosk at the entrance.
2. If you already made a prior appointment, head to the respective clinic and then drop your registration receipt at the drop off box. If you don’t, they will never call your name!
3. Wait for nurse to call you. The nurse will take pre-checks before seeing the doctor (height, weight, blood pressure reading etc).
4. Continue waiting for consultation. See the doctor.
5. Drop the registration receipt at the pharmacy drop off box.
6. Continue waiting. Pick up your meds.
7. Drop the registration receipt at the drop off payment/appointment box.
8. Continue waiting. Head to the counter to pay and arrange for next appointment if applicable.
9. FINALLY DONE.

Visiting your GP is much easier, and less complex. Also, I guess it’s faster because you have lesser people in the queue.

Well, that sums up my 5 top reasons to go to a GP to improve your health and your life.

Of course if it is a medical emergency, always go to the hospital!