first doctor's appt... why am i nervous?

yep, not sure why, but I feel a bit nervous going to the doc for the first time today... and I am going alone... I am sure there is nothing to it, but MIL says they call your name, then a number and you have to hunt out the room you are supposed to go to... just have this feeling I will make a fool of myself somehow... wandering around the building, walking in on some bloke getting a prostate check or something humiliating...
OK, I feel better getting that out... 

Ahhh dont be nervous! I was a bit confused as well when the nurse called my name and said 'Dr XXX will see you now' and i stood up waiting for her to come and then a nurse told me, 'her office is the one on the end'. I wouldnt worry about walking in on anyone because all the doctors have their names on their doors so you just go to the one who is seeing you. 

I was more embarrassed about the fact that i had to wee in a clear cup they gave me in the bathroom next to the waiting room for my new patient physical and then had to sit in the waiting room with my cup and wait to be called in to be seen.  haha

I do have to say that some surgeries here do have the ODDEST methods for getting their patient into the examining room! The one I'm at now, and the one we went to in Exeter, the actual Doc would come out and get you him/herself. But one I went to in Kendal had this weird light (green/red) system. I never figured it out and the doc would always have to actually stand up, open the door, and call my name!

My doctors just come out and call your name and walk you to their room themselves.  I have yet to ever see a nurse, technician, assistant, etc- even with the two recent trips to A&E, the doctors themselves did everything- came out and got you, vitals, everything. I actually find the whole experience much more personable, like they really care about you, even if it is really, really slow to get anything done, like a simple ultrasound! 

I'm sure you'll be just fine julia-mel. Report back and let us know how you do ;-)

it was fine... no trouble... she was very nice.  i found it strange they only do a 'woman exam' once every 3 years here, when i am used to getting one every year... but that's ok, i don't have much reason to worry... though i was hoping i would walk in and find out the British docs were secretly hiding the cure for psoriasis, but no such luck...  same meds i always got in US, except i only paid £7 instead of 200 USD!!!!  so that is definitely good news!

Glad it went well!

Very glad it went well for you.

Our doctor's office is one of two in the same building with the same waiting room... only the thing that beeps and tells you it's your turn is different. It's one of those scrolling light bar things. It just beeps, says your name, and the room you're supposed to go to.

I was petrified the first time because I had no clue, so I just watched what other people did and hoped I wouldn't get lost!

Glad it went well.

I've only had smear tests here done by nurses.

I'm good friends with our GP's wife and their kids, two of whom are about our daughters' ages.  He's such a terribly kind, professional person, however, it's never embarrassing.

This is a rural practice and everyone pretty much knows everyone, so he just comes out and gets you himself and everyone is on a first-name basis.

...It's one of those scrolling light bar things. It just beeps, says your name, and the room you're supposed to go to.

Yep, that's what my doctor's surgery has, so we must be very high tech, huh?  Also, I can book appointments online. 

At ours they annonce your name and a room number over the speaker. I am always afraid I will mishear the room number..and am always nervous walking back to find the right room.

Ours has the scrolling thingy, but doesn't say the room! Just the Dr.'s name and your name. Then we have to do the door hunt thing, the Dr.'s names are on the doors......fortunately they don't change rooms.

Yep, that's what my doctor's surgery has, so we must be very high tech, huh?  Also, I can book appointments online. 

Oooh, you're VERY high tech over there! We can't make appointments online, I have to keep listening to the engaged tone for 30 minutes before getting through to the always grumpy receptionist!