"Done, No Problem!" Why Isn't Getting Asthma Care Always This Efficient?

There are some things I am like a broken record about. Forgetting to take my nasal sprays, why the heck are people using fax machines STILL, and why don't they just put a dang counter on my inhaler, are some of my classic hits.

Here's another, but it goes in the column of "Actually not complaining, for once."

Cue the chorus of angels, it is time for: "The doctor is using technology to its full potential!"

Having zero refills: How long will it take to get through to my doctor?

There are few things that irritate me more than going into my pharmacy's website to find I have 0 refills left of something. That dreaded 0 has been the culprit behind many calls to doctors' offices and pharmacies that take way too much of my life just to get a simple inhaler refilled.

The latest? Qvar. (Also known as "Qvar, why do you still not have a dose counter, you have existed for asthma since 1972. Also, how are you still under patent?" But, I digress.) ¹

However, while this used to drive me into a specific type of asthma despair because I hate phone calls, my family doctor uses this magical thing called THE INTERNET by which we both access a portal and SEND SECURE MESSAGES. I know, in 2023 you might not think that should be so much of a concept, however, welcome to Manitoba, and presumably many other parts of Canada. (Another concept: the portal also lets you select your pronouns, though I will presumably never know if he has read it.)

And here is the delightful efficiency with which that goes:

Me: Happy Friday! Would you be able to please send a new Rx to [pharmacy location] for both the Vyvanse and the Qvar?
Let me know if I need to book a visit--thank you!
Kerri

Dr. Awesomesauce: Done - have a good weekend Kerri!
Take care,
Dr. Awesomesauce.

Please know, every time I offer to make an appointment, he never makes me make an appointment. I know this, and it is a delight, I tell you. I have not seen him in over a year, we just do medicine by message and I am super down with this.

(I am going to see him soon for a COVID shot. Which I booked via the portal. Without talking to anyone.)

Sometimes the interactions are a little more complex. For example, recently another doctor was not responding and I needed a 4-ingredient compounded medication filled, which Dr. Awesomesauce had not filled for me before.

I sent a message about that at 2:52 PM:

Me: Happy Monday! Another day, another pharmacy snafu it seems! Are you able to send an interim Rx for my topical pain compound to [pharmacy/address]?
[Explained scenario, ingredients, quantity.]
Thank you!!!

Dr. Awesomesauce, 3:10 pm: Done - no problem.
Take care,
Dr. Awesomesauce

I got my first email account in 1997: This is really no miracle.

Still, I cannot get over how easy this is. And more importantly, how much time we are saving.

Time saved: A key metric in chronic illness care

As you can see in the examples above, I live with multiple conditions that force me to interact with the healthcare system regularly. And while it is just a fact of life, it is also a huge time suck.

My last family doctor required me to come in for a 15-20 minute visit every 3 months, for essentially what Dr. Awesomesauce does in a 3-minute message. Given some of my stuff has become more complex over the last few years, he has saved me - and himself - a minimum of 6 visits over the last year--which is not just 1.5-2 hours of clinic time for both of us, it is also a total of 3+ hours of driving time!

This is also over 4.5 hours I was able to be at work and not spend at the doctor.

Fast vs. efficient healthcare for people with asthma

I do not believe healthcare always needs to be fast- though it needs to be timely. I sure as heck should not be on month 7 waiting for an MRI and month 6.5 waiting on a specialist. And yes, I got a letter 11 months after my last allergist visit inviting me back for patch testing but fast is not necessarily an indicator of quality. The person who needs care the most deserves care first. And while I do not need a response in 18 minutes... it is beyond nice when it happens!

However, I do believe efficiency can absolutely be an indicator of a quality healthcare experience. It is a sign my doctors are not ridiculously overburdened, and that they also respect my time.

Avoiding the healthcare equivalent of "this meeting could have been an email" is delightful.