Our Vet Gives Better Customer Service Than Our Doctor

Are you a stickler for good customer service?  I am.  I believe that people who are in the business to serve other people should provide good customer service.  I think they should be timely, friendly and efficient.  I certainly did not expect to receive better customer service for our cat than for my sister.

I have another blog where I talk about being a caregiver for my god-sister (Gladys), it’s called A Caregiver’s Journal.  My last two posts on that blog focus on my sister’s cat, Lexie who has been sick.  She’s lethargic and walks like a drunk.    Anyway I had to take the cat to the vet to be treated for a condition similar to vertigo.  They gave me three prescriptions and instructions on how to give the pills to the cat.

For the first three days Lexie was sick, she would not eat so I had to call the vet several times and they told me to either feed her baby food or broiled chicken with white rice.  Well, this afternoon the vet called to see how Lexie is progressing and if she is eating.  I was stunned.

Why was I stunned?  Because at least once a month, I take my 82 year old god-sister to the doctor.  Not only do they not call to check on her, they often forget to make her follow-up appointments and call in prescriptions.  In November Gladys had a seizure and a mini stroke.  We had to rush her to the hospital.  The emergency room doctor said to follow-up with Gladys’ regular physician and make an appointment with a neurologists as soon as possible.  The doctor’s office said they would make the appointment with the neurologist.  After 3 weeks no appointment had been made and every time I called and asked about it, I was told, “We’re working on it.”  WHAT!

Eventually I made the appointment myself.  So, what’s wrong with this picture?  The animal doctor is more attentive than the people doctor.  It’s a sad state of affairs when a veterinarian provides better customer service than a geriatrician.

I’m sure some of you are wondering why I’m still with this doctor.  I’m looking for another but there are very few geriatricians in this area and the feedback that I’ve gotten on the other’s is not good.  I’m working on it!

In the mean time, I’m thinking about asking the vet’s office to offer some training to the doctor’s office.