A visit to the rheumatologist on Friday brought home, once again, the differences in how medicine seems to be practiced here and in the U.S.

I was referred to the specialist by my family doctor. No need for any approval from an insurance company. Just a letter with the information I needed to give to the new doctor.

I called for an appointment on Wednesday. The receptionist apologized for not being able to get me in to see the doctor in the next two days! She asked if an appointment the following week would be all right. The last time I needed to see a specialist in L.A., the usual waiting time for an appointment was a month.

When I got to the clinic...

Read the rest on Mrs Lupin's blog here.