I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2012

    The poll did not ask if the doctors were quitting tomorrow, they were asked "How do current changes in the medical care system affect your desire to practice Medicine?"  They were given three options for answers.  "Makes me think about quitting", "Unsure/No Opinion", or "I'm re-energized".  I am far more concerned about the 13% who apparently haven't given such things much thought, and the horrible (5%) showing for "I'm-re-energized" than about the number who would think about quitting. 

    I want a doctor who thinks, not some drone, so I would hope they would have given significant thought to this issue by now.  Most doctors care deeply about their patients.  That so few are feeling re-energized by the changes means that the vast majority don't think that the changes are going to be helpful.

    As the Baby boomers reach retirement age, all of the boomers who became doctors are getting to that age as well.  If they are looking at wholesale changes in how they are allowed to practice medicine, and a lowered income for more work, retirement is going to look far more attractive than continuing in their profession.  Maybe they won't all pick a day and quit, but perhaps they will retire a year or two or three or five earlier than they otherwise would have.

    If there is no carrot (high income), only a stick (long hours, less autonomy), fewer students will choose to go into medicine as a profession, and the net result will be a shortage of doctors.

    How many independent pharmacies exist today in comparison to how many were around 40 or 50 years ago?  Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

    http://www.doctorsandpatients.org/images/files/DPMA_SurveyResults.pdf

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  • AnnNYC
    AnnNYC Member Posts: 4,484
    edited July 2012

    http://mediamatters.org/blog/2012/07/10/comically-awful-survey-says-83-percent-of-docto/187029



    http://ordinary-gentlemen.com/blog/2012/07/how-not-to-do-a-survey/



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  • 1Athena1
    1Athena1 Member Posts: 6,696
    edited July 2012

    Nice to see you here, Ann - long time no "see."

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  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited July 2012

    Golly, maybe all those docs will want to move up to my neck of the woods, where primary physicians are better paid, and enjoy about a 20 - 25% reduction in office expenses.  Of course, they probably believe our government will tell them what they can, and can't do, when it comes to treating their patients.  Duh!

    On second thought, if they're really dumb enough not to suss out exactly how the ACA will, or will not, affect them, we don't want them here! 

    To quote the late, great Ann Landers:  "Fifty percent of all medical school graduates graduated in the bottom half of their class". 

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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited July 2012

    If the doctors who stop practicing medicine are the ones who do unnecessary procedures and tests, it will be a good thing.

    If the doctors who stop practicing medicine are the ones who prescribe unnecessary drugs, it will be a good thing.

    If the doctors who stop practicing medicine are the ones who prescribe unnecessary antibiotics, it will be a good thing.

    If the doctors who stop practicing medicine are the ones who fraudulently charge Medicare and Medicaid for services not performed, it will be a good thing.

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  • QuinnCat
    QuinnCat Member Posts: 3,456
    edited July 2012

    Speaking of "office expenses," I went to a new Dr the other day, a Dermatologist. Two docs in this practice. I counted no less than 6 women at their computers and another handful wandering between rooms taking patient histories,vitals, etc.. Man, the bureaucracy of our current system is mind boggling.

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited July 2012

    Yesterday I went to a new dentist who took my blood pressure, himself! Wow, what service. 

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  • QuinnCat
    QuinnCat Member Posts: 3,456
    edited July 2012

    Yeah, and who even gets a BP measurement at a dentist's office?  Impressed, I think.

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  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited July 2012

    I have never had my dentist take my blood pressure.

    On another note going for my mammogram in about half an hour! I don't know why but every time I go I get really scared now.

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited July 2012

    I never have! I spent an hour with him, going over my x-rays and reports, and having him examine my mouth before seeing the dental hygienist. And I have few dental issues. This guy is awesome!

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited July 2012

    Best wishes kira! I had mine done about a month ago. I was much less anxious than when I get CTs, but it's all bad. :-(

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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited July 2012

    kam170,

    My GP is in the process of transferring all records to computer, updates current files by computer, links blood test results to the patients' files and has cut his paper work by 70%.  He expects to by fully computerized in two years.  There are 5 doctors in this practice and I counted 5 Nurses and 4 support staff who handle billing and appointments.  The practice is very streamlined and most of the testing and lab work is done in house. I am not counting the lab and X-ray techs.  They don't seem bogged down by bureaucracy.

    Perhaps your dermatologist is still getting up and running on computers and the staff that is wandering is just getting used to the new routine.

    The dental hygienist in my dentist's office checks blood pressure and reviews all medications at each visit.  Of course I live in a town with a lot of senior citizens and everyone tries to be careful.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2012

    THANK YOU ANNNYC - love reading the true story.  Athena, I remember that paper, it was freebie in containiers at the top of the Metro escalators - made great pooper scoopers, that's what folks in my neighborhood used it for ;)

    Kira, Yorkiemom - all those tests produce anxiety - we all KNOW what they're looking for!  Really, I'm 5 years out, go to my oncologist only every 6 months, and anxiety builds DAYS b4 I have to see them.  This time, Nov. will be even more so it's bone density after 5 years on Arimidex.  Feel like I should be given a Purple Heart, or B&J Ice Cream...loved what Alexandria had to say about B&J and Heaven.

    I want Licorice flavored ice cream NOW, please.   Really bummed when I found out licorice was made with wheat AND had a humongeous amount of estrogen in it....used to be my favorite candy.  Dutch licorice to be specific, tho most of the Scandanavian countries have pretty good licorice.

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited July 2012

    Gumby, I used to eat Danish liquorice, which has ammonia in it.



    Interesting about the running of doctors' offices. My onc has a secretary and three residents. That's it. My BS has a secretary, an assistant doc and a separate secretary at the hospital. No other staff.



    My da vinci surgeon has more staff, two secretaries and a woman who only deals with billing.



    It should be noted that here, your insurance agent will do most of the leg work, not the doc.

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited July 2012

    I've always hated licorice. My mom loved it and used to chastise me for refusing to eat it. I think we are born with taste buds that hate or love licorice. I've wondered about this for a long time. WHY do I totally despise something others can't get enough of??

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  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited July 2012

    Just got back all looks great! What I found interest ing is I was told I will more than likely go to yearly mammograms now. I sort of thought the 6 month ones would last longer. I hate them, but then only yearly is kinda scary.

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited July 2012

    Awesome news, kira! My BS said my mammo was "perfect!" YAY! I'm not sure when or if I will go to only annuals. Maybe having node involvement changes things.

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  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited July 2012

    I haven't talked to my BS or the Onc. yet. This was just the radiologist to checked me today.

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited July 2012

    Great news girls!!!! - it is so scary going for those mammos.

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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited July 2012

    Great news, kira!

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  • gardengumby
    gardengumby Member Posts: 7,305
    edited July 2012

    I've had 2 mammos and an MRI in the past year - sick of 'em.  Now I don't have to have a mammo for a year.  What a relief!  (Though I get it about being scary...)

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  • alexandria58
    alexandria58 Member Posts: 1,588
    edited July 2012

    Kira and Yorkie:  Great  news!! Something to toast at cocktail hour.

    Sunflowers: never like licorice, but there's these little sugar coated seeds at Indian restaurants- Mukhwahs, I think they're called - that taste a lot like licorice.  Maybe sprinkle them on ice cream. 

     Side note: my oldest daughter who majored in screen writing at USC is still trying to find any kind of job in her field three years after she graduated.  There used to at least be assistant jobs. Not now.  Good thing she didn't major in the health field - no jobs there.

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  • gardengumby
    gardengumby Member Posts: 7,305
    edited July 2012

    I think those are fennel (anise) seeds - they taste a lot like licorice, and are really great on ice cream.

    I was devastated about the estrogen in licorice as I love the stuff - but, on the other hand, would have had to give it up due to the wheat anyway, so I guess I was just not meant to eat it anymore.  Licorice ice cream was always my choice when my Mom would take us to a 31 flavor ice cream place....

    Were you being sarcastic about the jobs in the health field???  It's sometimes hard for me to tell without visuals...  :(

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  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited July 2012

    I didn't know licorice was bad for us. I love the stuff, but haven't eaten it in years.

    You must be joking no jobs in the medical industry.

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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited July 2012

    Yorkie,

    I missed your post.  Great news!

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited July 2012
    Thanks notself! One foot in front of the other. Smile
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  • alexandria58
    alexandria58 Member Posts: 1,588
    edited July 2012

    Weellll - I was thinking of all those students who are going to decide not to be doctors ... instead going into fields like, oh, screen writing.   Just joking here, folks, and indulging in my taste for sarcasm - given some earlier posts.

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  • bluedahlia
    bluedahlia Member Posts: 6,944
    edited July 2012

    YAY for good news KIra and Yorkie!  I have a bone scan scheduled within the next couple weeks and am pretty anxious myself.  Keep wanting to cancel it.

    Shokk, no offence because we have known each other a loooooooooooong time, but no thanks about the raw bone.  My little swiffer is fine with her present diet.

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  • gardengumby
    gardengumby Member Posts: 7,305
    edited July 2012

    alexandria - I thought so, but wanted to be sure....

    Yorkie - congratulations!  Sorry for not saying so earlier.

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  • Wabbit
    Wabbit Member Posts: 1,592
    edited July 2012

    Congratulations on the good mammogram reports ... you may now resume breathing normally.

    Has nobody noticed that today is Friday the 13th??  I'm going to go climb a ladder and pet a black cat for luck.  Trying to decide what would be an appropriate drink for later.

    Scoot ... maybe you need to start writing out those alien and weird dreams ala Stephen King short stories.   

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