Nicole answered the phone and I told her of my intentions to see a urologist because I have had pain in my groin area, I have been to a general practitioner who diagnosed it as a torn ligament in my groin. I told Nicole that I did not think it was a torn ligament in my groin because it hurts when I?m not in motion, it hurts after icing and taking anti-inflammatory pills such as Ibuprofen. \r
Nicole quickly summed up that she could not help me with that, and before I could protest or better explain myself she put me on hold to speak with a nurse. After she came back she confirmed that she would not be able to help me with a pulled or torn groin. I then re-explained that I didn?t want to seek help for a torn groin and continued to provide more information, including some pains that I have had in my left testicle. After I said the magic word testicle she quickly retorted that ?I had not said that before?, which was true. Yet, throughout this entire conversation I felt that there wasn?t someone on the other line who was interested in actively listening to my concerns. Nicole sounded as if she was overly busy, dis-interested, or frustrated. \r
She then asked me which Doctor I wanted to see. I am not familiar with your current line-up of Doctors so I said any urologist who can help me. She asked if I would be willing go to the North office, and because I am located south I asked if there was anyway she could get me in next week at the south location. She answered no quickly. I told her that the North Austin location would be fine, and was there anything available for Tuesday. I did not hear anything for about 10 seconds after asking, so I said ?hello?? \r
She replied sharply that she was looking, just a moment. ?I?m sorry?, I said, I didn?t know that you were looking because you didn?t say that you were looking and one barrier to over-the-phone conversations is that the abilities to see Nicole?s actions and body language are not an option. \r
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