Student Health Service

I called yesterday to book an appointment to get a specific vaccine. The receptionist was friendly and got me in for 11:20a.m today which was pleasantly soon. I wrangled my schedule to make it work, made the 40minute bus trip out to campus from my house and was there early to fill in paperwork. The reception is nice, front desk staff helpful and cheery.
My name was called right on time, and I went in… only to be told quite casually that the vaccine is in short supply and that I am ineligible to receive it. I just sat there for a few minutes, confused.
Wait, what?
The determination of my eligibility could have easily been done over the phone (didn’t require any kind of private information). They didn’t run out of this vaccine in the 18 hours since I called. They just didn’t bother to check. So I made two 40-​minute trips, one there, one back, messed with my schedule, and then found out it was all for nothing. Real lack of communication there, and a big waste of my time.
Hope my next visit is a bit more positive.

After sitting on hold with my Family Physician’s office for 25 minutes I decided to give UBC student health a try. Got through their phone system in 30 seconds and had an appointment booked for 2 days later! Score! When I got to the office my appointment started on time — it may have been early on in the day, but this was definitely a first for me. Dr. Fisher was awesome, very knowledgable, and not afraid to prescribe me alternatives to prescription drugs. I’ll have to put my Family Physician on hold until graduation.

I was in need of prescription refills, so I looked online and decided to book an appointment. I called on Friday thinking I wouldn’t get in for a few weeks, but sure enough they had an appointment on Tuesday (since Monday was a holiday). One thing I hated about the University of Alberta Student Health Center was that it was all walk-​ins, so you could be waiting over an hour for a quick prescription refill (this happened to me at least 3 times). UBC benefits immensely from this appointment system, and they also have walk-​in appointments set aside for emergencies.
The Student Health Service is located in the UBC Hospital. If you enter through the main doors, there are plenty of signs to guide you there. The waiting area is nice, spacious, and clean. The receptionists are very friendly. After you arrive for your first appointment, they will give you login information so you can book future appointments, view lab results, and consult with doctors online. So convenient!
The patient rooms themselves are standard and clean. The doctor I saw was really nice, and didn’t rush me when I had a huge list of questions to ask her.
Overall, this is a great clinic for registered UBC students.

I love the Student Health Services even though sometimes seeing a doctor can be hit or miss. I’ve been using them for 8 years. The nurses who give vaccines are really friendly. I’ve gotten to know some of the doctors (though, they don’t know me) and I definitely have a preference of who I would like to see regardless of what I need. I really like Dr. Mirwaldt and Dr. Gisslow. Both of them take the time to listen to the patient and answer in an educated matter (they don’t dumb it down – but can if you want them to). And I don’t ever feel too rushed with them and I don’t feel like they’re trying to get rid of me.
The thing I like the most about SHS is that after your first appointment you can book them online, and cancel online too! Which is awesome for someone who doesn’t like to talk on the phone… like me. The receptionists here get way too many phone calls and I feel bad calling them to book and appointment, and then they put me on hold for long periods of time. It’s annoying. Plus, I can look at my calendar while booking appointments online!

Luckily I’ve only had to visit here once so far. The doctor seemed very rushed, but the receptionists were nice and the waiting room was pleasant with a large TV. I called at the beginning of the week (on a Monday or so) to make an appointment and the only ones they had available were on Thursday or Friday, so make sure you call ahead because you may be waiting a bit before you see someone. Overall, nothing too special or too bad, just an average clinic.

The two doctors I have seen here were abominable. I went seeking treatment for chronic conditions (for which I have had to see specialists in the past, but being a recent arrivee in Vancouver don’t know who to go to here) and both times my appointments began with the doctors arguing with me, being condescending, and treating me like I was an idiot. Today’s appointment had my doctor telling me that my previous doctors’ (GP and specialist) opinions were false within thirty seconds of my sitting down, without asking about the nature of my condition or anything about my medical history.

They gave me my very own yellow surgical mask today.
Did that ever make me feel like a winner!
This clinic is probably as good as it gets in Vancouver. The renos are done, it’s close to classes, and the Docs and Nurses are always there for you. I consider this a perk for attending UBC. I think Blue Chip should deliver here though, cause the mask really bummed me out. I needed a cookie.
Yay the flu!