A friend had a 6 month checkup after a skin cancer procedure that went well. The hospital is 45 miles away, the weather was frigid and the patient is 88. She called to reschedule and they tried to make her appointment another 3 months out. Since she has a new skin cancer concern she wants checked out, she demanded an earlier appointment. She finally got one for 1 month out.
She sees a huge turnover in Dermatologists at this hospital, as well. A new specialist every appointment.
Our 20 year+ dermo is retiring. He’s not putting up with this 0 cr@pola.
I empathize with your friend.
I lived my first 40 years in south Florida and have had 4 skin cancers.
There is an acute shortage of dermatologists in many parts of the country.
Most medical specialists depend on federal funds for their advanced training after Medical School.
Essentially, there is an artificial quota imposed on how many dermatologists are trained each year.
On top of that, unless you raise hell like your friend did, they make you get screened by a physicians assistant before they will give you an appointment with a dermatologist, even if you have a history of skin cancer.