Going to the GYN in Malta

 

                            The GYN Examination:

           The Differences between Malta and the US

Okay, this is not going to be a sensationalized post.  This is really for women who may be staying or living in Malta, and who may need the services of a gynecologist.  It turns out that there’s quite a difference between going to a GYN in the US versus going to one in Malta.  Here’s what I found:

Making the Appointment—This was easy.  The GYN’s office is located right next to the pharmacy where my family doctor is.  I had wanted a female GYN, but my Maltese hairdresser recommended this male doctor, so I decided to do it.  It only took me a few days to get an appointment for a routine exam.  This was easier done in Malta than in the US.

Reception—The doctor’s office—which he shared with at least one other doctor—was located in an old Maltese-style townhouse.  I’m getting used to this now. It’s not a slick office that you get in the US. The reception area looks more like a living room.  But that’s OK once you get used to it.  Of course, there is a desk and a whole big file case.  The receptionist was very friendly and didn’t sit behind a glass window, as in the US.  She seem harried but friendly.

The Doctor—I liked the doctor who I first met in his office to chat with a bit before disrobing for the exam.  He had gray hair and a bad knee.  He apologized for his knee and explained that was why he was using a crutch. He was friendly and knowledgeable, asking about my medical history, medications, any problems.

The Examining Room—This is the part I didn’t like.  The room seemed grimy.  It was not the slick, hygienic room I’m used to.   The room had an examining table (with no stirrups) and clean enough looking paper sheets.  But there was a dusty ultrasound machine.  There were also dust balls collecting in the corners (Malta is eternally dusty).  There was a tube of gel (on a unclean—looking instrument table), probably used prior to an ultrasound examination.  What bothered me was that the tube looked grimy around the rim—like a toothpaste tube that hasn’t been wiped in a long time.

The Exam Itself—This seemed OK to me—a lot shorter than a GYN exam in the US.  The doctor used a disposable plastic speculum which was much more comfortable than those metal ones in the US.  The doctor did a brief breast exam, and asked if I go for regular mammograms.  (In Malta, women at no great risk for breast cancer go for regular screening mammograms every 18 months—not every year as in the US; now the US cancer authorities are recommending every 18 months.)  The doctor did not perform a rectal exam nor did he take a small sample to test for rectal cancer.  That surprised me.  And there was no attendant in the examining room—which was fine with me.  And there was no sign asking you if you want an attendant—which is common in he US.

Cost—The GYN exam cost 50 Euros which was for a private visit. I paid the doctor in cash—which he preferred—and he gave me a receipt.  I will be trying to get this fee refunded from my private European insurance which is supposed to cover annual, preventative check-ups.  The doctor filled out and signed the form right then at the end of the visit.  He also wrote me a prescription for a GYN product I needed and which turned out to be a lot cheaper than in the US. And as a favor, he also wrote me a prescription for Retin-A—something I would have had to wait for a dermatologist to prescribe.  (And Retin-A turned out to be a lot cheaper than in the US.)

Conclusion—I felt the GYN experience was OK.  It was less stressful and uncomfortable than a GYN exam in the US. I liked the fact that I met the doctor beforehand to talk in his office before the physical part of the exam.  I didn’t like that the room seemed dirty.  That bothered me a lot.  And I guess I would have preferred—just for peace of mind—to have the rectal exam/and or the simple swab test for rectal cancer.  But I felt the doctor knew what he was doing and I appreciated him writing me the extra prescription which had nothing to do with his field of practice.

 

Comments

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Mib--this thing of the rectal swab test sure differs from one country to another--I think it is a good thing to do, actually--Ilene

[Mib]

It's more or less the same as in Italy... Only that in Italy you need to double the money to afford it...
And no rectal exam or fecal samples in a gyn routine visit. That's an enteric matter and is not routinary here. You need to ask for it, and it requires specialized labs

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Yes, I agree with you, Mary.  Everything in the US is cleaner than in Malta--thats a fact.   Still in jolly old depressing, foggy, raining England xx Ilene

Comment:

[Mary Bartolotta]

Hmmm. Sorry you didn't get the rectal stuff. That can be very important. Dirt and medical offices just don't jibe especially when they are doing anything invasive like a PAP test. Glad that basically you're satisfied. Happy New Year to you and Mr. S. Still in jolly England?

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Alex--please stop scaring me.  I do that enough to myself--Ilene

[Alexandra Claes]

Ooooo and you have to take off in the snow and sleet !!!

Make sure those wing flaps are down and de-iced...excuse the pun ;)

Luckily you have Mr.S to dig your fingernails into :)

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Alex--yes all those things you mentioned are part of a GYN exam in the US. No wonder its so much more expensive!  That rectal swab is a very superficial way of detecting blood in feces.  (Sorry to those of you who dont like to talk about these things).  And the attendant? American doctors, especially male GYNs, have a fear of women accusing them of wrongdoing during an exam--can you believe it?  But so far, I have been very pleased--thank G-d--with the medical services in Malta.  Not back yet in Malta, though. Wont be until after the first week in Jan. xxx Ilene

[Alexandra Claes]

A rectal examination as part of a GYN consult? Never heard of it. That's gastroenterology. Have never heard of a swab (Stuarts) for rectal cancer either. Have never heard of a "specialist" having a verifier. And that's in Australia---so today I have learnt something new :)

However, I agree completely that it takes some time to get used to the "presentation" of medical rooms here in Malta. I am still trying to accustom myself with paying cash in the surgery like buying bread and milk, but that's a Euro thing---or squeezing though a tiny door at the rear of the pharmacy for a consult !

My experiences thus far have been very positive if not outstanding. I tend to go through the Mater Dei Hospital system---now that's a nice place.

Welcome home by the way :)