we've now arrived at the next official step – and the longest part – of the peace corps application process: the medical review.
i got a huge packet in the mail the other day, filled with forms and instructions. the application had a set of initial medical screening questions which drove a bunch of other forms being required. in addition to the regular 5-page form that requires all manner of clinical exams, blood tests, immunizations, hearing tests, vision tests, family history, health inventory, lab tests, mammogram, general physical measures, etc., i now have an ADDITIONAL 26 pages to have processed! they also want 4 additional specialist exams and a couple detailed personal statements.
ugh.
i was stupid enough to take them literally when they said to be totally honest and up front about any issues you may have. for example, i checked the box that asked about issues with kneeling, squatting or sitting cross-legged for periods of time. hello? i'm 42. i played sports for years. point to anyone like that who *doesn't* have knee pain when squatting. now they want a formal diagnosis, severity and treatment plan for "kneeling, squatting or sitting cross-legged causes shortness of breath and leg, joint, muscle or chest pain." wait, there's no shortness of breath or chest pain or anything like that at all. should i have answered that question differently?
they want to know every last detail about environmental allergens. isn't everybody allergic in some way, shape or form to dust or mold or pollen or grasses or animal dander? or heartburn – they want a "report of imaging studies (upper GI, ultrasound, abdominal CT, colonoscopy, or any other imaging studies used to make diagnosis) … CBC, TSH, sedimentation rate … detailed personal statement about symptom management." i wear shoe inserts that i got made specifically for my feet by a doctor, so now i need forms filled out by an orthopedist or podiatrist for my "orthotics," including the etiology (cause) – bad feet maybe? – and the name, care and restrictions of the orthotic "device," as well as copies of pertinent diagnostic test reports.
some of this stuff is from many, many years ago. i made the mistake of admitting to having a minor arthroscopic knee surgery 13 years ago. now they want detailed diagnosis, etiology, diagnostic test results and operative reports. just one problem: i had the surgery in germany
and you can hardly imagine the paperwork and details needed for having depression.
wanna take bets on how much my doctor will charge to fill out that much paperwork? stay tuned for dental adventures (4 pages of documents plus full mouth/panoramic x-rays required), and don't even ask about the eye exam and glasses (to the tune of $690)!
I had just this problem. I reported on things that I had never been to a doctor for, like allergies. I was able to get medically cleared by writing "personal statements" for several of the items. I had to list the frequency and severity of the problems, what I do to counteract them, and how I would handle these things under Peace Corps service. Be detailed! Don't just say that you take an over-the-counter antihistamine. Write what one you take, the active ingredient, and how often you take it. Call your medical contact and explain the situation of some of these things. They may be able to accept a personal statement instead of a full-blown doctor's visit.
ReplyDeleteStrangely enough, my biggest difficulties was finding a dentist that would verify that my permanent retainer (in place now for 15 years) would cause no problems in service. It required a trip back to my home town.
Good luck!
Heidi Jo