Why People Don’t Like Going to the Doctor (But You ACTUALLY SHOULD)

This episode talks about why NowServing is called NowServing and why it’s important for you to really go see a doctor.

Key Takeaways:

• Why is it called NowServing? – Before COVID, NowServing was initially built to help doctors better inform patients regarding their appointments as well as be a facility to communicate.
• Common beliefs in local culture – People don’t go see their doctor as regularly because of various reasons, one of which is the fear of finding something especially when they are not (yet) feeling any symptoms.
• Toughing things out might not always be the right solution – Every person goes through different things in life. We are all unique in that sense and a lot of us are brought up to toughen it out. Getting professional help though, is something you really should consider to help you navigate and move forward in life with a health body and mind.
• It’s important to go see a doctor – Many look at one’s own health as not an investment but more of an expense. Healthcare should be prioritized and you deserve it.

Resources Mentioned:

• Book a consult with a doctor in the Philippines here – https://nowserving.ph/
• ENT doctor mentioned in the story – https://seriousmd.com/doc/jrclaridad

Transcript:

Chelsea: Hey everyone. This is our very first episode, so let’s clap to that. Clap. Clap. Clap. Yay. Insert noise clapping right now. We’re going to first talk about NowServing what it’s about.

Okay, so what is NowServing about? How about you, Dee? What do you think about when you hear the word NowServing?

Dee: When I hear the term NowServing is, something that can cater right away that we don’t have to like, wait. I guess. That’s my initial thought of it.

Chelsea: Yeah, that makes sense. I mean, for me, when I think of NowServing I, it’s actually interesting that’s the name of the app because I think it was originally created for a different purpose. So, right. Dennis?

Dennis: That is correct. Okay, so this was born in our office around 7:00 PM trying to figure out how we’re gonna name the app. An app for patients that we’re finally gonna do. This was pre-covid. They were asking me for a name that’s different from SeriousMD because SeriousMD kind of scared patients because it was serious and they feel like it’s coming from the doctor. It’s intimidating. Maybe it’s scary and the patient might think “there’s something wrong with me.” That’s why my doctor is texting me. Because it’s “serious” – So that’s why we decided to change it up, named it NowServing because at that point, we were focused on the doctor’s queue. When you go to the clinic, you have to queue up, you have to go to the secretary, ask, right? It’s your turn, so it’s your “NowServing”.

So, that was the initial idea for that. And, you know, a month and a half later, COVID happened and there wasn’t enough time to change the name. So it’s been like that ever since.

Chelsea: Wait, SeriousMD were doctors not scared by the term “SeriousMD” since you said patients were scared of the name, I’m just curious.

Dennis: Oh yeah, they were not. We learned about patients getting scared because we sent reminders to patients and the sender’s name is SeriousMD on the text message, and we got feedback from their patients that they got scared, so that’s why we opted for a different name.

Dee: Something a bit more lighter, I guess. Kase, I feel like if it was to be named or retained to be SeriousMD, it might not also feel like it’s a welcoming tool or application or anything for patients. Um-umm. Parang ako mismo matatakot eh.

Chelsea: No, I’m fearless. No, I’m kidding. I’m kidding. Okay, so before it used to just be for queuing lang?

Dennis: That is correct. It’s just for queuing, knowing patients in front of you so you can go around, you know, loiter around the hospital until it was time to go back. We can go to this cafe at the ground floor, hang out there and go back to the clinic when it’s almost your turn. It’s still there inside the current NowServing app, but you know, we built a ton of other things.

Chelsea: Yeah. Like there’s so much other stuff like, uh, ikaw Dee, like what, what services do you like to use most sa NowServing?

Dee: Well, I do the online consultations, parang naging habit ko na sya. I mean, not to be biased, but you know, we’re not getting any younger, Like I just turned 30 and I feel like my body is changing quite fast.

Sometimes I’m confused, and I also have asthma and I have PCOS also, so these are like things that I need to be aware of for myself. And it’s convenient for me, you know, it kind of lessens my worries at times and I can reach my doctor whenever and  wherever. Kahit sa bahay lang ako di ko na kailangan bumyahe, di ko na kailangan isipin yung waiting masyado, I can just wait at home.

Chelsea: Yeah, for sure. So the main service offering, is that you can book a doctor, whether for face to face or online. So I guess the question now is, do you really need to see a doctor?

Dennis: So that’s our topic for today?

Chelsea: Yes. Oh, that is the longest segue ever and that is the topic. OK, so do you really need to see a doctor? How about you, Dennis? Do you believe?

Dennis: Well, personally, I don’t do that, you know. I would assume it’s better to be safe syempre, prevention is always better, right? BUT I guess locally, with the culture here, hindi sya as uso tulad sa ibang bansa, na you could, like, okay, just get regular checkups, go to a doctor. If I feel something, you just go to a doctor as often as you’d like. People would like just tough it out and just see and you know, but in my case kasi, parang ganon din.

I guess, in my household growing up, medyo ganon (toughing it out) but you know, as I got older, you kind of realize and understand that there are more important things in life and that’s the time you have to reflect and maybe, kailangan ko na nga yata mag pa-annual checkup. (which my wife already helped me schedule to do regularly)

So yes, I guess it’s a culture rin eh. It’s not as accepted, right? Is that the term?

Chelsea: As normal? It’s not as normal for everyone to just like go to the hospital and get a check up for no reason at all. Wherein it should actually be normal. You know, that’s interesting that you said that it’s something that they’re used to. It’s not like something that they have to think about pa, parang dito like, uhmm, are we gonna go to the doctor nahhh, wag na. Ganon, so, I mean, for me, one main reason why I used to not go see a doctor is money. But you know, now that I’m a little bit older, I’m starting to become strong, independent woman who cares about her health. So I do go see the doctor often. You know, actually I remember my dad telling me that he is scared of, well, he doesn’t like going to the dentist, for example, cuz he’s scared of seeing the dentist.

So I think that’s one reason why people also don’t go see the doctor, I mean, like getting an injection, mga ganon.

Dennis: I know some people that are scared of those things and it does prevent them from going to the doctor. Sometimes they would say na, baka may mahanap pa, baka may makita pa.

Chelsea: Actually di ko nga gets yon eh, bat ganon?

Dennis: Well, the doctor doesn’t know you, right? Even if the doctor knows you, the doctor won’t know the workings inside your body, so they’ll get you tested and stuff like that, and that’s where prevention comes in, right? Because if may mahanap sila don and maagapan.

So, yun yung kinakatakutan ng iba, na feeling nila wala silang nararamdaman but, yun pala meron palang something, ayaw nila malaman. 

Chelsea: I really don’t get that. Kasi ako like, I wanna know. I wanna know. I really wanna know.

Dee: Sa amin it’s common though. Kasi sa amin, konting ubo lang, “ay hinde ubo lang yan..”

So parang papalagpasin na let’s say days or weeks. Pero nacu-cure naman sya, nawawala naman.  But if you know, may mga current occasions, nagiging recent na, nagiging madalas na sya, and then syempre ang common iisipin, “hala..”, deep inside kahit hindi mo ipakita, nakakatakot sya baka hindi lang pala ubo to, pero hindi.. ubo lang to.

Parang in denial kame palagi na hindi ubo lang to, sipon lang yan, lagnat lang yan.

So, hindi na, hindi na papa-check up, ganyan.

Pero, there are times na wherein, just for the peace of mind lang talaga and para alam narin kung ano yung kailangan gawin, is to really see a doctor

Kasi ayaw naman naten na umasa kay doctor Google … palagi na ano ba kailangan or what do I need to take, what do I need to drink for this? Or what are like the home remedies? I’m very much guilty of home remedies sa Google curing like my cough or anything. Tapos, when I went to the doctor, apparently I have asthma .

So don ko nalaman na may asthma pala ulit ako kasi the last time I had asthma was when I was young pa. So kaya pala ako inu-ubo not because of the weather or kasi inuubo ako, it’s because my asthma pala ulit ako. So that’s when I kind of figured out, now you know what. Yeah, this is important.

Chelsea: Okay. I wanna share two things. Okay. I forgot the other one, but I’ll share the other one. Dee, kasi, you mentioned you will not go and see the doctor talaga, like, it’ll be like, “ubo lang yan..” I’ll tell you a perfect example of the time that I really didn’t go to the doctor, even though I knew I had to. So a couple of years ago, back in, I think, 2019. I booked a spontaneous flight to Palawan with a friend, and then literally the day before my flight, I started vomiting like crazy. As in, as in everything I ate, I vomited. Kahit tubig, sinusuka ko talaga, as in.

Hindi parang tubig tas alam mo yung It’s like you’re drunk na parang direcho lang. (vomitting sound) I felt so bad talaga and my friend was like, “Ano, magho-hospital tayo?” sabi ko, “No!”. I have to go to Palawan. Cause it was a spontaneous trip. I’ve never been to the E.R., at that time, that’s for another story. So like I really didn’t go, honestly, this is such a Filipino thing, pero feeling ko, kinulam talaga ako (laughing) kaya, kaya ako nagka-ganon, as in sobrang weird talaga, ‘tas the next day I was so okay, like nothing happened.

Anyway, so going back to the whole story, I didn’t go to the doctor even though I had to, so I, I just drunk like electrolytes, Pocari Sweat, Gatorade lang yung sinabi saken. yun yung sinabi saken ng friend ko na doctor. Doctor naman. So I did get help from a doctor, but I just didn’t go to the E.R. It’s fine. I’m not dead. I mean, I’m here now doing this podcast.

Dee: Wag tularan! (lauging)

Chelsea: Since then, I don’t go see a doctor often, until I started working in SeriousMD. Ever since then, it’s like I made up for all the years I never went to see a doctor. As in grabe ang dami kong nalaman, I have super clean ears. Like I don’t, I was so sad that I didn’t have to do the vacuum set.

Dee: You wanted to do that?

Chelsea: Yeah, it was my dream.

Dennis: Nagawa sa akin yun recently. Si doc nasa SeriousMD! (Link in the resources area of this post)

Chelsea: The HARD SELL! Naririnig mo yung vacuum sa tenga mo? How was your hearing like, mas malinaw after?

Dennis: Yeah. kasi wala nakong naririning nung time na yon eh.

Chelsea: Whoa. That’s so cool.

Dennis: My ears like ear wax is like different, like it’s the wet type, hindi sya yung dry type. It’s like, you know, pag nagluto ka ng sugar, tas tinunaw mo, tapos tumigas.

Dee: What is this visual guys?

Chelsea: That’s gross (laughing) honestly. I can’t believe you use sugar. I mean, that’s like a really intense visual. Like we can literally imagine.

Yeah, but that’s not, I mean, that’s like a really intense visual. Like we can literally imagine,

Dennis: Parang candy, parang banana-cue.

Chelsea: Oh my god, you know what, naisip ko tuloy, have you ever tried eating your.. (laughing)

Chelsea: When was the last time? You saw an ENT before you got your ear waxed?

Dennis: Four years ago.

Chelsea: Okay, so I think you should see your doctor every year.

Dennis: Correct!

Chelsea: I mean, not necessarily for ENT, but I think in general, you need to see your doctor every year.

Dee: Yeah, yeah, definitely.

Dennis: Nagka-covid kasi eh, kaya, actually every two years ako. Nagkaroon ng Covid, so I opted not to and mas nag build up young ear wax during that time. Let’s get an ENT on board for an episode.

Chelsea: Oh yeah, for sure, for sure. I wanna know all about that. Well, there’s so many perks to, seeing or having your own doctor besides, I mean like a GP or an internist or a primary care physician. Like what are other perks that you think of that you’re thinking of?

Dee: Probably perks of having like a primary care physician would be to know your body more also on a regular basis to catch up on things, because we’re not getting any younger, sadly, and we need to take care of our health and our bodies and we need to take it seriously. 

Dennis: Well, until people hear this podcast episode.

Chelsea: Honestly, we’re we’re just a bunch of real people who get sick once in a while who like to see the doctor who feel very refreshed after going. I mean, me, I love seeing my doctor. It’s a good feeling when you know that you’re healthy. Tapos pag binibigyan ako ng medicine, ang saya kasi parang, it’s like something I have to maintain. Okay. I know I’m weird, like kahit Vitamin C, like, oh, I’m gonna take some vitamins today.

Dee: I’m healthy. Look at me.

Chelsea: Oh, Tapos yung ano, meron akong eye drops. Oohh, my eyes are getting refreshed. So the point is, go see a doctor. It’ll be good for you.

Dee: It might be frightening. Parang it might be scary, you know, to think about it kasi baka isipin mo, or pumasok sa isip mo na, “hala baka may makita na ayoko pang malaman”, you know, but honestly, I feel like you have to know. I mean if not now, then when? When it’s too late? We don’t want that to happen. Wow, naging serious bigla?

Dennis: I have a friend, like over the pandemic, nag-try lang sya, para magamit nya yung HMO nya, so nag-try sya and may hanap sa chest nya. Pwedeng maging cancer kase, so yeah, surgery agad sila para maagapan nga, and you know, he’s back to hundred percent. Okay. That’s my story. So anyway, ano nga ba ang reason aside from, you mentioned, monetary, right? Because it’s one of the things na, that scares people or not scares, prevents people from actually going to the doctor. Bakit nga ba? Bakit nga ba.. So bakit nga ba hindi cheaper yung healthcare kasi here in the Philippines in the first place. Well, there’s a lot of factors, right? So yung doctors, first of all, kulang, right? Kulang pa tayo ng doctors. Public hospitals naten, medyo kulang rin, right? So magkakaroon ng UHC, Universal Healthcare coming up. I’m not sure when yet, but that should potentially make it cheaper. There’s still a lot of drawbacks. I think they are still ironing it out. So if you make it cheaper, people will eventually accept na, “Oh, it’s better to get a checkup!”.

Private hospitals kasi here in the country, that’s like 60% of all hospitals are private hospitals and syempre the doctors that would try want to try to make a living and do their own practices, they’ll be in the private hospitals and they’ll need to be able to charge and you know, may ROI eh. So understandable na why healthcare is more expensive.

Dee: … but not accessible.

Dennis: Yeah. But eventually we’ll get there, right? Yeah.

Chelsea: So to wrap it up, long story short is yes, go see your doctor now.

Dennis: How?

Chelsea: By booking, through NowServing. You may go to NOWSERVING.PH, or you may download the NowServing app available on PlayStore and App Store.

Dee: Dang! That should be like a, like a recorded sequence.

Chelsea: All right guys, we’re, we’re gonna wrap it up here. I hope you enjoyed this episode. It’s our first. It’s, it’s rough, but you like it rough, right? I just had to, I just had to.

We have fun. Yeah, we’re healthy and we have fun. Okay. So that’s it for now. Take it away, Dee. Where can they follow us or check us out?

We have fun. Yeah, we’re healthy and we have fun. Mm-hmm. . Okay. So that’s it for now. Take it away, Dee. Where can they follow us or check us out?

Dee: So for all social media platforms, you can just check us out @NowServingPH (Instagram/Twitter/Tiktok/Facebook) and yeah, so we’ll be releasing new episodes every other Wednesday, so might as well check it out, few weeks from now and just hit us up. If you guys have any thoughts or suggestions or any topics that you kind of want us to talk about, we’re all ears for you guys, so yeah.

Chelsea: All right. Bye guys. Stay safe and healthy. Bye bye! (laughing)