Country Doctor Community Clinic

 

5

12

angela b.

Seattle, WA

Country Doctor has been my only source of medical care for the past 6 years.  I have not had health insurance in that span of time, but I have definitely had a need for a medical provider.  I work with kids and I am pretty much guaranteed to get the flu, ear infections, strep throat, and anything else my adorable germ factories are doling out each year.  Without Country Doctor and $8 bottles of antibiotics from their in-house pharmacy, I would be a regular in the ER, I am sure.  

I originally went to Country Doctor because I was without insurance.  I had images of ill homeless people filling a waiting room of concrete walls and flooring when I first made an appointment.  To my surprise and delight, the waiting room and clinic were lovely and filled with people of all walks...some typing away on laptops, some studying for school exams, some with cutie patootie kids in tow.  My first doctor there was one of the best I have ever had in my life...she was into homeopathic remedies as alternatives to chemicals and I totally appreciated that.  She moved a couple of years later and since then I have had a PA-C who is pretty cool.  She has prescribed me everything from allergy meds to anxiety meds and birth control.  I have never felt rushed, but my only complaint is that they do have quite a caseload,  meaning not all my waits to get in have been short.

Still, I plan to continue my care at Country Doctor even when I do secure health insurance (sooner than later, I hope).   It is incredibly important to me that such a facility exists.  I am grateful to its capacity to  help myself and others forced to be subjected to our joke of a health system. Yay for Country Doctor!

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Elite '08

39

127

Jessica H.

Seattle, WA

I have used Country Doctor for the last five years while in graduate school. I was blessed to have medical care at SPU but afterward was on my own.

I had one slightly nerve racking experience at Carolyn Down's off of Yesler (which I believe is associated with Country Doctor) but when I look back on it, I can see that they were covering their asses and doing all the necessary testing to make sure I was alright.

I am always worried when I go to the doctor, first, out of fear that I'll have something that needs treatment which I won't be able to afford and secondly because I have high blood pressure for no apparent reason except for genetics and my type A personality. So everytime I go to the doctor, I am expecting them to pitch a fit over giving me a birth control prescription and asking me to try all sorts of hypertension medications.

Until meeting with Karen Johnson at Country Doctor. She made me feel comfortable, did my yearly exam pain free and answered all my questions. She let me choose whether I wanted to try the blood pressure medications she was suggesting and didn't scowl at me when I admitted I had gained about ten pounds in the last two years.

She talks about her own life and is good at distracting you, plus the nurse she works with is really expedient at returning calls about medication concerns and side effects etc...

Of course it's not paid for medical, which means the overall care and treatment won't be the same as the folks through Group Health etc.. but I believe whole heartedly in what they are doing and am so grateful that I have had Country Doctor for my yearly exams and various bumps and bruises.

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Elite '08

72

218

Delilah R.

Seattle, WA

Not once have I had a bad experience here and because of that, I do not fret about going to the doctors!

At Country Doctor you get: Sliding scales, lots of options if you do not have insurance, cheap meds/anti-biotics, oober friendly service and efficiency!

When I first started coming to Country Doctor, it was a walk-in clinic which was fabulous for me as I can be a bit flaky and tend to just be better at showing up places.  Since then, it has become a regular make-an-appointment clinic.  There are longer waits here at times due to the sliding scale I believe.  Mostly though, I get in within 20 min. of showing up.  What I really appreciate about this clinic is the warm vibe vs. the cold shoulder you get at other clinics.

Dan B.-I really do not think that Harborview is any comparison!  I've had to wait in the lobby at Harborview for hours and it didn't matter if I was bleeding or vomiting...I had to wait!!  Also, Harborview ER is full of homeless people who use the lobby as housing...you do not see that at Country Doctor.  They may also have a sliding scale for the actual exam but the meds are expensive.

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Elite '08

10

41

Tori B.

Seattle, WA

It sucks to hear that someone had a bad experience here, because I and the friends I know who have gone here have had nothing but the best treatment.

True, it is a small clinic, and the services they can offer are limited by their size and funding. But they have a sliding scale, low fees, and a ton of resources for low-income people to have access to health care. They are also willing to help you explore alternative and non traditional health care methods.

When I was a teenager, I took advantage of their free STD and pregnancy tests, and free general health check ups. I also used them as my primary care provider when I a barista and couldn't afford my own health care. When I moved to a better job, I kept Country Doctor on as my provider- now that I had a health insurance company to pay the bills, I wanted to give a little back.

They have all (with the glaring exception of one nurse aide) have been friendly, courteous, and have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help me explore all my medical options. They treat everyone with respect despite their ability or inability to pay. And their attention to detail and follow through are the only reasons I ended up at Swedish BEFORE my appendix burst and not after, which, obviously, made a world of difference.

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5

81

Dan B.

San Francisco, CA

Quacks.

Okay, perhaps a bit too harsh. However, a few months ago, when I was still living in Seattle and in a gap between health insurance coverage I went here for continuation of medical care. Specifically, to get a few regular but non-narcotic prescriptions refilled, including one for blood pressure.

After I gave my history and without further exam, the nurse practitioner says "Well, your blood pressure seems pretty normal to me, so why don't we wait until your next visit before seeing if continuing medication is needed?" Um, what? My BP is in a good range due to the medication.

I got the hell out of that place as quickly as I could.

It sucks if you don't have insurance and need to see a doctor, and I hate to imagine what prolonged exposure to a place like this would do to someone. If you're in that boat, believe me, the hassle of Harborview is worth it -- and they have a sliding scale program, too.

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