I could write and talk for hours and hours on my experiences with the medical profession and insurance companies throughout my lifetime but I will not bore you with its overall inefficiencies, costs, and diminishing quality throughout the years, The joy in all this is I am still alive but the belief the US has the best heath care system in the world is sadly a myth when viewed from the patient's eyes.
Scott, we may no longer have healers and care-givers, but only technicians. If the practitioners do not change their ways they may see their roles supplanted by bots. Seeking human touch and acknowledgment of suffering is a large part of what a visit to a healer seeks.
Thanks for your comment, Donna. When my comments require a donation, I disconnect from that source, and I do not have $450 million to influence the currently tarnished White House.
I will be honest. I am almost as discouraged with health care as I am with politics. Insurance companies? What business do they have determining which medication I can take or which procedure I am "eligible" for. My physician , working together with me, should be making those decisions. NOT insurance companies.
As I noted elsewhere here, there is (apparently) a shortage of doctors / labs where I live. Guaranteed you will wait a minimum of two months to see anyone other than your PCP. AND, often you cannot even get into see your PCP. If you are in pain, you are referred to either urgent care or the ER - and you wait and wait and wait.
I switched health care umbrellas about three years ago b/c I was so frustrated. I now travel to a different county to get health care. Yes, it's a bit of a drive but I find this network (so far) to be friendlier, more compassionate, more available. My physician is from Myanmar - medical school there and residency in Brooklyn. He's been in practice in this location for at least 15 years. I like him b/c he DOES look at me and not the computer. He DOES ask me what I think could be going on. He DOES want to listen and he likes to see my list of questions . Previously, I was basically told to choose the most important questions and that's it. There is also a nurse practitioner in the office and she is knowledgeable and capable. I have no problem seeing her in lieu of the physician.
If I need a specialist, yes, it will be months but I feel lucky to have found an office that sees me.
Looks like you are prevailing vs. the medical industry to some extent. I like that your MD looks at you vs. the computer. My PCP retired and he was hooked on the screen. The new PCP is a lady from Sri Lanka who did work on geriatrics (why I chose her). She trained in the Bronx and so far no screenosis to report. 😎🙏🏻
I refuse to have a relationship with the health insurance industry so my choice of medical practitioner is exclusively in my hands. My doctor schedules me for one hour. I arrive early. No one else is in the waiting room. I don't watch tv at home so no tv at the doctor's office. Ambient music. Friendly staff. Keeping it simple and peaceful.
An hour? A visit to an doctor here is 15 minutes and if he didn't have time to address all your issues you have to wait 4 to 5 months to have your next appointment. The waiting room is always empty.
Always empty? Here the waiting rooms are always full ( especially if you are waiting in a hospital ER) . It can take months - literally - to see a specialist.
I could write and talk for hours and hours on my experiences with the medical profession and insurance companies throughout my lifetime but I will not bore you with its overall inefficiencies, costs, and diminishing quality throughout the years, The joy in all this is I am still alive but the belief the US has the best heath care system in the world is sadly a myth when viewed from the patient's eyes.
Scott, we may no longer have healers and care-givers, but only technicians. If the practitioners do not change their ways they may see their roles supplanted by bots. Seeking human touch and acknowledgment of suffering is a large part of what a visit to a healer seeks.
Except I don’t really ❤️ this. I am agreeing with you though.
Not much better in Canada with its inefficiencies and diminishing quality as you stated. Better in terms of costs but that's about it.
I know this comment is not quite in line with what you are talking about.
What drives me crazy is almost every time someone wants my political opinion,
I have to donate in order to express my hopes for this country. It is a rampant
practice these days. Access to the White House agenda is definitely geared to
the wealthy.
Thanks for your comment, Donna. When my comments require a donation, I disconnect from that source, and I do not have $450 million to influence the currently tarnished White House.
Good to hear from you😎
I will be honest. I am almost as discouraged with health care as I am with politics. Insurance companies? What business do they have determining which medication I can take or which procedure I am "eligible" for. My physician , working together with me, should be making those decisions. NOT insurance companies.
As I noted elsewhere here, there is (apparently) a shortage of doctors / labs where I live. Guaranteed you will wait a minimum of two months to see anyone other than your PCP. AND, often you cannot even get into see your PCP. If you are in pain, you are referred to either urgent care or the ER - and you wait and wait and wait.
I switched health care umbrellas about three years ago b/c I was so frustrated. I now travel to a different county to get health care. Yes, it's a bit of a drive but I find this network (so far) to be friendlier, more compassionate, more available. My physician is from Myanmar - medical school there and residency in Brooklyn. He's been in practice in this location for at least 15 years. I like him b/c he DOES look at me and not the computer. He DOES ask me what I think could be going on. He DOES want to listen and he likes to see my list of questions . Previously, I was basically told to choose the most important questions and that's it. There is also a nurse practitioner in the office and she is knowledgeable and capable. I have no problem seeing her in lieu of the physician.
If I need a specialist, yes, it will be months but I feel lucky to have found an office that sees me.
Looks like you are prevailing vs. the medical industry to some extent. I like that your MD looks at you vs. the computer. My PCP retired and he was hooked on the screen. The new PCP is a lady from Sri Lanka who did work on geriatrics (why I chose her). She trained in the Bronx and so far no screenosis to report. 😎🙏🏻
I refuse to have a relationship with the health insurance industry so my choice of medical practitioner is exclusively in my hands. My doctor schedules me for one hour. I arrive early. No one else is in the waiting room. I don't watch tv at home so no tv at the doctor's office. Ambient music. Friendly staff. Keeping it simple and peaceful.
An hour? A visit to an doctor here is 15 minutes and if he didn't have time to address all your issues you have to wait 4 to 5 months to have your next appointment. The waiting room is always empty.
I am sorry about your experiences, Yvonne. There is a shortage of medical professionals, too.
Always empty? Here the waiting rooms are always full ( especially if you are waiting in a hospital ER) . It can take months - literally - to see a specialist.
Must cost a small fortune?
I have looked into it a couple of times— I would have had to deal with the insurance bureaucracy on my own.
Thanks for your practical wisdom, Ann. Stay healthy and out of medical treatment. 😎