Patients sometimes don't have 40 cents to pay the co-payment for an examination in health centers, and it can also be said that people don't take enough care of their health.
This, in an interview with "Vijesti", claims the elected doctor at the Podgorica Health Center, Bojan Bekan, who recently received the institution's award for special contribution and commitment to work during the past year.
He says that some are unmotivated due to fears and prejudices, some are burdened by their financial situation, and there are also those who are afraid of illness and that 'the doctor will find something for them', so they avoid visiting the doctor for a long time.
"It happens that elderly patients don't even have 40 cents to pay the co-payment. There are also patients who search the Internet for symptoms and are convinced they know the diagnosis... Then they come to the doctor's office terrified and present their symptoms, expecting me to tell them the diagnosis they previously 'Googled'. When I explain to them what it is, they are greatly relieved and admit that they have looked up the symptoms on the Internet. I would tell patients that, if they are already 'Googling' and like to read, they should base themselves on professional literature, which is backed by a doctor with a name and surname. In general, hypochondriacs are mostly under a lot of stress and eventually that stress leads to illnesses, which are mostly psychosomatic in nature. They get dyspepsia, gastric hernia, digestive problems, candida, tension headache...".
Bekan points out that the desired goal and result of every doctor is to preserve the health of patients and get better, or to keep chronic patients under control in the simplest possible way and with good cooperation with them.
"I can say that I am satisfied with reaching the goal, although sometimes it is not easy. The health system has its limitations, while a person who comes with health problems brings a special energy that should be directed in a positive direction. In this regard, listening carefully to the patient and talking to him is a necessary condition to understand him and the diagnosis that comes with it, and in that situation expertise must come to the fore."
He says that there is always work and that he has not noticed that there are more patients in the winter, even though seasonal viruses are current.
And summer, he claims, brings its own - allergies, burns, injuries, stomach problems, diarrhea...
"On average, I examine 45-50 patients. The working day is based on patients, who come to the office with complaints about their health, special energy and anxiety, which is sometimes not objective. We use a computer program to keep records and monitor the condition of patients, which also requires considerable attention in conditions of almost daily, excessive work. Very often I am forced to fight against time to meet the demands of the patients and the computer program, because record keeping is important to all of us. The population for which I have been chosen as a doctor is very diverse, there are patients of both sexes, although there are more younger ones".
Asked whether work should be done on the introduction of a "family doctor" in Montenegro, who, like in England, would treat patients of all ages, from babies to pensioners, Bekan says that "our system is too young" to be compared with in English.
"In addition, it has a burden, such as a lack of funds, a shortage of staff, an increase in the frequency of chronic diseases, and an aging population. Certainly, we have a greater number of services and more pathological conditions and diseases in one examination with selected doctors. Preventive programs cost money, but therapeutic protocols for the treatment of the most serious diseases are the most expensive. Well, nevertheless, the vast majority of elected doctors contribute beyond the limits of the maximum for the system to survive".
Everything is easier with an experienced nurse
Bekan says that the emphasis in the work of a family doctor is on prevention, but that the system often becomes congested, because the selected teams of doctors are burdened with diagnostic and therapeutic work.
"The work of the chosen doctor has a special passion and honor. It's not just elected doctors that are so important, there are also nurses... I was an elected doctor in Konik for several years, and for four in Pobrežje. I have always been surrounded by sisters who are extremely dedicated. It is always better when Sister Senka, who was born in 1958 and has a lot of experience, is next to me when examining a wound. I think that teamwork is also important, because even if you are in the best clinic, and interpersonal relations are not good, you will be cramped, limited and ultimately dissatisfied. There must be enthusiasm and cohesion in the healthcare team," he answered when asked if he was satisfied with working in primary healthcare, given that doctors are increasingly choosing to work in hospitals or Clinical Centers.
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