This is my review as an international patient paying out of pocket. My first impression was that the Clinic was very substantial, housed in a 15 storey modern building on a major artery in Medellin. Even though some floors were for parking, and a number of non-clinical businesses were also in the building, I can't think of another tall, ophthalmology dedicated building anywhere. I compare this to the patient experience of an American in Miami who attempts to get treated at the world-famous Bascom Palmer Hospital for ophthalmology care. 1. Appointment time: 3 months minimum in Miami versus 2 days in Medellin. 2. Waiting time: at least 30 minutes to 1 hour beyond appointment time in Miami, to on the dot appointment in Clofan. 3. Human interface. Like at most large provider groups, going for care in a US hospital or clinic is like being inducted into a jail: security, impersonal reception, then a "patient administrator", then a nurse, finally a doctor etc. At Clofan, upon indicating my name and the department, I was accompanied to the right floor to the International Patient desk, where I paid, then to the waiting room for the doctor. There were only two other patients waiting. 4. Clinical consultation. I spend at leat 30 minutes with the MD at Clofan, and he did all the various exams himself. In Miami, a nurse or paramedical professional did the usual basic temperature, blood pressure etc.; then I was seen by the doctor, for a total of 10 minutes. 5. Exit. In Miami, it was like checking out of a jail. First, the nurse of technician detailed the follow up procedure, then the exit patient coordinator (for prescription, next appointment, further tests, and any insurance-related issues). Conclusion: Clofan offered a much more rapid appointment availability, a more accessible patient experience, a longer time with the clinician, and a much less complicated administrative process. Even though I paid the "private patient" rate, it was, for an American, very affordable.
