This is a good summary. What's interesting to me to observe here is your PT story is the system working as designed. This intention is not hidden. If one could just google the solution to their problem instead of using scarce resources, as the common phrase goes, that's a good thing actually.
We do an awful lot of rationing in these sorts of ways. It's maddening to me that I pay the astronomical premiums I pay and yet, end up having to play mini-doctor by asking the internet for answers. I do not have any illusions that I'm able to provide sound medical advice to myself or others, but just due to these sorts of issues and also doctors visits that are practically conducted via drive-through, Google MD is often my doctor / PT person / etc of first resort.
If you substitute "google the problem" for "get a printout from my doctor that isn't from a possibly sketchy internet source" I would be a lot happier.
We do an awful lot of rationing in these sorts of ways. It's maddening to me that I pay the astronomical premiums I pay and yet, end up having to play mini-doctor by asking the internet for answers. I do not have any illusions that I'm able to provide sound medical advice to myself or others, but just due to these sorts of issues and also doctors visits that are practically conducted via drive-through, Google MD is often my doctor / PT person / etc of first resort.