I have not yet written a post I intended to write, about going to the dentist abroad (I went to the dentist in Lithuania) and hopefully I will get around to that one sooner or later. But I am going to tell you about a more recent experience with going to the doctors in Oslo, Norway.

See, I needed to get my birth control (the shot - Depo Provera) that needs to be injected every three months. Right before I moved to Norway I got my last shot from Planned Parenthood (love them, but you have to wait forever even with an appointment). So it has been three months and it was that time again.

“My doctor gave me six months to live, but when I couldn’t pay the bill he gave me six months more.”

Walter Matthau

I asked one of my friends here where I could get it and if they had clinics (like PP) here is Oslo, because for just getting birth control it is always easier than going to a private doctor. She asked her doctor and told me to go to the emergency room and they could give it to me there.

So one very rainy day last week I made my way over to the emergency room in Oslo, Norway. I was shocked at how nice and neat and clean it was. Then I went up to the information desk and told the girl what I needed. She directed me to take a number from a machine, where I would get a turn to talk with a nurse.

I only waited about 15 minutes when my number was up and I went to one of the nurses (there were two nurses at private desks that would call you up and help direct you from there). The nurse I was speaking with was so sweet and helpful and told me that there is a free clinic (like a family planning clinic) where they take care of “prevention” she said. But that I could go and it was not by appointment.

Okay, so I went the next morning to a very crowded waiting room and talked to the receptionist (which I had to take a number and wait till I was called again) and told her what I needed. She said yes, I could get that there. But the nurse that gave the birth control was only there on certain days so I needed to make an appointment.

So, I did. I made my appointment and went back last Tuesday. Where I took a number and told the receptionist that I had an appointment. She said I would be called.

Now my experience back home with PP is that even with an appointment you should expect to be there for two or three hours. And even at my families private doctor (who is a friend of our families) that you should expect that (with an appointment) you will be waiting at least three hours just for the shot. So at this appointment, I was armed with my ipod, books and many things to do to keep me busy for a while. I had no idea how long I would have to be there waiting.

I get out some of my paperwork that I was going through, and they called me in less than five minutes. I was so unprepared to be called it felt like it took me five minutes just to put all my stuff back in my purse to go to see the nurse. It was shocking how quickly they called me!

Then I met a very sweet, smiling woman who shook my hand and took me to another office. I was not asked to fill out any lengthy paperwork (uh, can you say, Planned Parenthood) but just sat there while she asked me about my family history and health and put the info in the computer. She was so sweet, and helpful.

Then, she gave me the shot AND a prescription for a years worth of the shot so I don’t have to go back every month to get it again. This is something that they never did in the States for me. They always made me go in to get it. It is so much easier to have the prescription to get it myself. I couldn’t believe it. I was so happy.

She also gave me a card with her name so when (in a year) I did need to come back, she would be more than happy to help me again. Also, she gave me her phone number which she said I could call her if I had any questions or needed help with anything. I was so impressed

The whole visit including the shot that she gave me only cost 270-kr. Which is about $50.00. That is with no insurance or anything. And considering everything is three times more expensive in Norway than it is in America, this is so freaking cheap I could not believe it.

I was very impressed at my first experience with Norwegian/European medical care. I have to say that they do have a lot to live up to because living in America and having such a horrible health-care system, I have always heard very amazing things about European health-care and how great it is. So, so far (even including the quick trip to the emergency room), I am so shocked at how smoothly and conveniently the whole process went.

I felt like for the first time (getting a shot that I have gotten for years - from a private doctor and a clinic in the US) that there was not a wall up between me and the care that I needed, like there is in the US. It was like I experience REAL customer service in the health-care system (which even with great doctors, just does not happen where I am from in the States).

Sometimes I have really felt like in the US to get what you need as far as any medical treatment goes, you have to sell your soul to the devil. I swear. It really did feel like that sometimes. But here, already I can tell, its not like that. I am so relieved.

Thank you Norway! So far I’m impressed with your medical care!