I’ve gone through every single post here, including yours... Honestly, I don't have the energy to reread everything again, but we really ought to take a moment and ask ourselves why we were all lined up and taking the heat here in the first place.
Even though you're hinting between the lines that you actually care—that you realize there are issues and that doctors can be a mixed bag—you're still making way too many excuses for them... Look, I get it, people protect their own... but you need to step back and look at the bigger picture for once.
They're underpaid—fine, that's a fact, but we're all working our tails off day and night—true, but they aren't doing it for free. We all work hard. That's just how life is today; it isn't right, but... plenty of other professions are grinding from sunrise to sunset just to scrape by on minimum wage. That doesn't give anyone the right to take it out on someone else, especially on the very people who sustain their livelihood. Their salaries are significantly higher than the average in the US. I don't think we can even attempt to compare our situation to what's happening overseas. They have their own private struggles too—we all do, but those are private matters. No matter how hard we try to leave our home lives at the door, sometimes things fall apart. But does that give us the right to lash out at someone?? Or to misdiagnose a patient repeatedly? Or to withhold vital information because we're having a bad day?
..........
I can understand that maybe a generation or two ago—I don't know, 15 or 20 years back—maybe they didn't fully grasp what they were signing up for when they headed to med school. But nowadays, everyone knows exactly what it means to study medicine and then commit your entire life to this profession—especially if you have a family member working within our healthcare system---> e then you seriously cannot tell me they didn't know what they were getting into.
I’m trying to stay optimistic ---> maybe things will actually improve in 15 to 20 years.
Have you even bothered to read one of my previous posts regarding this topic? What I'm saying here is just a fraction of what we actually had to endure with our child and my father during his illness. Just a tiny slice of the reality! These aren't just theories; these are real situations my family lived through—believe me or don't, I honestly couldn't care less. I know exactly what we were up against. I remember being in the car on the way to the hospital, with my husband practically begging me to just stay quiet and not start an argument. And sure, I listened to him in that moment, but then he completely lost it on the doctor. The entire healthcare system and about 99% of the medical staff (nurses included, for that matter) absolutely disgust me.
That remaining 1% of medical professionals? The ones I actually respect? Those are the people who actually give a damn about what's happening. They still have a shred of humanity left in them. They don't look down their noses at patients and they actually take the time to see the full picture.
nimblestag31 said:- and you really don't get that most people in those exam rooms are absolutely terrified and acting all subservient toward Mr. Doctor?
No, I don't "get it" because I haven't seen that happen, and I spend a fair amount of time in clinics... and honestly, if patients are truly shaking in their boots before a doctor, then we’re looking at a massive sociological failure. How can you be terrified of someone you’ve specifically sought out for advice or help? Look, if you think they're scared of the disease itself, sure, that makes sense, but being intimidated by the doctor 😕 is a different story entirely.
Yeah, they can be, and they are—absolutely petrified of the MD. Why? Because they actually showed up seeking help (whether that need was valid or not) because something hurts—be it physical pain or mental anguish—and in most cases, the doctors just brush them off (unless you hit those rare exceptions like 🙏 🙏 🙏 )
nimblestag31 said:- how do you interpret the fact that so many people on various forums ask about illnesses, treatments, and diagnoses instead of just asking their doctors?
I interpret it as laziness... pure laziness. For instance, I might post a question here because it's way easier to sit down at my computer and type it out than it is to get in my car and drive to a specialist who could give me a concrete answer immediately... But forums are a hobby; sometimes they're incredibly useful, and it's always interesting to hear someone else's experience or opinion on something, even if it's a medical issue.
I don't know how much medical experience you have, but human laziness has absolutely nothing to do with this. When a real health issue arises, we go to a physician who spent years in med school learning how to actually help people overcome illness. But what happens when a patient walks in, tells the doctor something hurts, and the doctor just looks at them over the top of their glasses and says, "And you came to see me for *this*?" What are you supposed to say? "Well, I was bored and felt a little twitch, so I thought I'd drop by to break the monotony..." Or consider when you show up at the ER with a child running a 104 fever—you're panicking because you can't get the temperature down—and the nurse meets you at the door with an attitude, after you've been sitting in the waiting room for hours with a burning kid: "You brought a child in at this hour for a fever??" I mean, seriously, what am I even supposed to say to that? What do you even respond to that kind of hostility?
nimblestag31 said:- do you think they're so foolish that they believe they'll find better answers here, or can you admit that they aren't getting the answers they need where they should be getting them?
I don't think anyone is "foolish"—where do you even get ideas like that? Honestly, that kind of condescension in an argument really gets under my skin, but fine... I believe they would get the answers they need if they were actually getting them where they belong. Or do you honestly think people suffering from serious illnesses turn to internet forums because they haven't received adequate medical care? 😕 Or are you actually trying to suggest that some random online forum carries more weight than an actual medical facility staffed by real doctors? 🤣
It’s honestly pathetic, but it’s the truth: we end up learning way more about our own ailments through the internet and message boards than we ever do from our actual physicians... it’s a sad state of affairs, but it's reality.
It feels like everyone’s just out for blood lately—tearing into the legal system (and trust me, I’ve got plenty to say about that), social services, the local property registry (which they’re finally trying to fix, by the way), and even Bloomberg... I mean, seeing one doctor pull in that kind of monthly salary (at least according to what hits the news) isn't exactly great, but it sure gets people riled up. But honestly? People are most sensitive when it comes to healthcare. Why? Because of everything I just listed over these four pages (+ a few other topics too).
Look, when you’re standing in line at a Chase branch for thirty minutes or more, you might find yourself snapping at the teller just because you can. You know she can’t actually do anything to hurt you; she’s just stuck there with a smile on her face, forced to listen to your venting and basically thank you for coming back. But have you ever stopped to think about how she feels? To her, you’re just one more person in a long line of $33 customers who could have easily used an ATM or just paid their electric bill online. Yet, when you’re sitting in a waiting room for hours waiting for a doctor to see you—even if you had an appointment!—everyone acts like it’s perfectly fine and stays patient. But the second that patience runs dry and people absolutely lose their minds, screaming at anyone wearing scrubs, suddenly those medical professionals are labeled as "arrogant" and "rude."
Noah Vaughn3 said:Believe me, nobody has managed to get under my skin quite like this. It’s honestly exhausting. I feel terrible that you all see me this way, because truly, no matter how I approach this, I can't seem to win. If I say one thing, it's wrong. If I try something else, it's also wrong. It feels like nothing I write is ever good enough for this group. It's just constant criticism, no matter what.
You don't have any actual arguments, and frankly, your excuses—as we "mere mortals" like to call them—just don't hold water. Sorry, but that's just the reality of the situation.
Benjamin Murphy2Honestly, props to you—keep that mindset. Nobody in my circle lumps all doctors into one big, messy pile. It’s just not realistic. Patients aren't clones, and doctors certainly aren't either. My own family has been through the wringer with some truly terrible medical professionals, and let me tell you, those experiences leave a mark. But even after all that, I still find myself hoping that the next one we encounter might actually be different. It’s rare, but there really are a handful of doctors out there where you feel like you can actually trust them—people who offer a genuine sense of warmth instead of just treating you like another number on a chart. Look, when someone rolls into an ER at three in the morning because their throat feels like they swallowed broken glass, they aren't there because they have nothing better to do. Trust me, I know—I’ve been that guy, staring at the fluorescent lights, wondering why my life led me to this moment. And when you see a mother sitting in a packed waiting room with her kid, eyes wide and exhausted after waiting for hours? She isn't just killing time. She is terrified for her child. That is pure, raw human instinct. It’s what we do. I honestly cannot wrap my head around why there is such an intense, constant demand for doctors to pull these grueling, marathon shifts and endless overnight on-calls. It makes zero sense to me. I’ve seen it happen far too often—brilliant physicians being ground down by sheer exhaustion because the system demands they stay on duty long after their brains should have checked out for the night. It feels fundamentally broken.
Noah Vaughn3 said:Look, I have much better things to do with my life than engage in this endless forum "chatter." For me, scrolling through this nonsense is just a way to unwind after dealing with actual problems in the real world—it’s how I decompress. Honestly, this whole mess serves a purpose for me because it gives me a place to vent whatever's on my mind without any consequences. Nobody here knows who I am, and frankly, I couldn't care less what anyone thinks. 😬
Look, you have much more pressing matters to deal with in your life, yet you’re using this as your primary way to unwind and blow off steam? It just doesn't add up. One thing simply does not go with the other.
You can say whatever the hell you want, but let’s be real—your level of discourse is absolutely bottom-tier. 😬
Look, like I said before: all respect to the good, honest doctors out there—they’re few and far between, but they exist. 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏
Nobody is claiming that holding someone's life in your hands is easy or simple. In my opinion, they should be paid significantly more, but in exchange, they ought to have a much higher standard of communication, basic decency, and actual human empathy when dealing with patients. And I mean people, because at the end of the day, they are working with human beings. The younger doctors actually still seem to possess some humanity. But as I’ve pointed out, once you build a reputation and get that plaque on the wall, the attitude changes. How is it even possible that a handful of doctors over a span of just a few years can have absolutely no clue what a patient is actually suffering from?? You have medical boards and consultations for a reason; there are multiple sets of eyes in the room. What on earth are you doing in there??
At the end of the day, this is a forum. We tear every topic apart a thousand times here, and a massive amount of opinions get thrown around. And yeah, in a little while, someone else will open a thread just like this one --> why? Maybe out of pure boredom, or maybe because something happened in their own life regarding this issue. And we'll dive right back into the debate.
And honestly, forgive us if we get offensive when a doctor says things like: - When our baby was only 3 months old, a doctor casually mentions in passing that the child has developmental issues; when I turned pale from shock, she actually asked me why I was getting so upset (??) - Just deadpan, without any prior testing or exams, telling you: "Your child has leukemia." - In the medical history at one of our major hospitals in Chicago, a doctor wrote that I had beaten the child on the butt because of a hematoma—when in reality, that hematoma was a reaction to a vaccine. - Regarding a purple, pulsing lump on a leg, she tells my father to just apply some crushed herbs and ice, saying it'll pass --> then weeks later, a hematologist laughs at him for even coming into the hospital for a hematoma, so my dad insisted he take a proper look. It turns out it was an aneurysm (I don't know if I spelled that right). As it turns out, it was cancer. .............
As for the insults... if that's the case, I don't see why everyone has to resort to swearing.....
Yeah, okay, look... I might have gotten a little carried away in the heat of the moment 🙂.... (but hey, at least I was the one who had the guts to actually step up and make a move 😎 )
2) Seriously, please go back and actually read my previous posts. If you try to withdraw cash at an ATM—say, at a Chase branch—the daily limit is usually around 90% of your total credit line. Just withdraw more money to bump up that limit.
3) You have the limit, so deal with it. There’s no "overdraft" here. And honestly? At your age, don't even let the idea of going into the negative cross your mind—not now, and definitely not later on. It's just bad practice.
p.s. You really need to sit down and learn the actual difference between a credit card, a charge card, and a debit card... You only end up in the red when you fail to pay a bill, and by then, you're already looking at serious trouble.
Look, I can give you the lowdown on that specific setup because I actually carry one of their cards myself.
So, you take your cash and put it into a fixed-term CD at, say, $667 for two years. It’s your standard certificate of deposit—you lock it up, and yeah, you earn interest. In exchange, they hand you either a Visa Classic (which is basically a revolving line of credit) or a standard credit card. I’ll focus on the Visa since I don't have the other one. The credit limit they grant you is $600. Now, here is the kicker: the interest rate on that card is whatever your CD rate is, plus an extra 2.49%. So, if the CD is sitting at 4%, you're looking at 6.49% on the card. You can blow through that entire limit whenever you want. With this particular card, you're required to pay off 5% of whatever you spent immediately after you get the notification about the transaction. As for the rest? You can pay it off over those two years—or whenever you feel like it—but then you're stuck paying interest. If you clear the whole balance right away, there's no interest, and your full limit stays open. As for the money you put in the CD? Well, obviously you can't touch it. That cash is locked tight for as long as you hold the card. I mean, what were you thinking? Did you think you could just open a CD, grab the card, and then withdraw the principal? Come on.🙂 And no, it’s not some free lunch. That card isn't free. I honestly don't know the exact breakdown of the fees because I’m on one of their bundled monthly packages, so I just pay a flat monthly service fee for everything.
Alright, let me break this down for you. You walk into the bank... "Good morning," "How's it going?"... You get to the teller and say—look, I’m interested in getting a card specifically for online shopping. Now, the teller is going to ask you for some kind of collateral or security measure, and they’ll ask what kind of card you’re looking for, because honestly, there are way too many options out there. Tell them you want a secured credit card backed by a CD. You’d want to put $333 (just check with them first, since some banks have a minimum term like $667) into a two-year CD, which is usually how long those cards are issued for. The beauty of using a CD as your security is that you don't need a steady paycheck or any other crazy proof of income. As for your credit limit, that varies from one bank to another—like Chase or Bank of America—but generally, you can expect a limit of about 80-90% of whatever you deposited. Just keep in mind, these deposit-backed cards usually carry the lowest interest rates.
Look, people, you seriously need to wrap your heads around this: Visa is a brand. It’s a name. A bank doesn't just slap a logo like Visa, Mastercard, or anything else on a card for fun—they pay actual fees for that privilege.
And let's get one thing straight: not all Visa cards are created equal. And I'm not talking about how they look, either. I'm talking about what they actually *do*—whether it's a debit, revolving, credit, or charge card. Every single bank has its own specific "flavor" of card, along with its own set of rules for who can actually get one. In theory, anyone can walk into a Chase or a Wells Fargo, open a basic checking account, and walk out with a debit card. Simple enough. But if you're looking for a credit card, a revolving line of credit, or a charge card—you know, the ones where you get a grace period or pay back a percentage of the balance—you don't just get those because you asked nicely. You have to meet the bank's requirements. We're talking credit scores, deposits, co-signers, even collateral like a house. That is perfectly normal! A bank isn't a charity; they need some kind of insurance so that if someone stops paying their bills, they aren't just left holding an empty bag. They need a way to recover their money.
If you're a college student, for instance, you don't exactly have a massive income to show a bank. So, in that case, you just have your parents apply for an authorized user card for you.
Casey Cook10 said:It’s pretty obvious the admins aren't doing their jobs when people start dropping names like this in public...
So, what happens now? Where is this person's father supposed to go for surgery? Does he get to skip the line because of this little exposé? Or is he just stuck waiting on a two-year backlog until God decides it's his time?
Honestly, anyone still sitting around politely asking the Department of Health for help—after they've spent years turning a blind eye to this exact mess—should just forget about it. Don't even bother coming back to those specific providers. Just head straight over to Xavier 200a and ask them why the wait times are so damn long.
And I bet they'll be more than happy to give us the "official" price list for cutting in line, right? <Is it five grand, or did they just not hand over enough cash?
Noah Vaughn3 said:Oh sure, they aren't allowed to... because they're gods, right? And gods can do whatever they want, isn't that how it works?
The whole point is..........
Noah Vaughn3 said:Just fuck off... you guys clearly aren't thinking at all... but hey, whatever..
As if you're the only one actually using your brain while the rest of us are just being crude. I guess we're all just making stuff up, then.
Noah Vaughn3 said:..and not everyone takes bribes.. and nobody forces people to bring them bribes or any kind of gift..
I remember once—just once—when a doctor we were incredibly grateful to actually refused a gift, telling me that accepting it would be an insult. Look, nobody is forcing anyone to bring gifts (of any kind), but (except for that one case) no doctor has ever turned one down. In fact, some will literally tell you exactly how much you need to bring if you want them to actually get something done for you.
Noah Vaughn3 said:Maybe they've started acting superior and being rude because of all the people talking shit and undermining them, have you thought about that? Everything is always their fault... obviously..
Right, because we're all just being obnoxious. Some of us actually value and respect people, including doctors. Your argument that they're putting themselves on a pedestal just because we're all underestimating and trashing them... honestly, I don't even follow.
Noah Vaughn3 said:Whatever, bye. I'm done "debating" with you people.
Wow. Look, if you're really like this while you're still in med school, please, for the love of god, change your major...
Here is the thread: Experiences with doctors and their dialysis treatments
Look, I am not even talking about how much they make. Any job that is actually done right is demanding, period.
Doctors and nursing staff pull night shifts... but what about firefighters, police officers, toll booth operators, MTA workers, border patrol agents? They are working through the night, weekends, and holidays too. Is their work somehow less demanding? Apparently, only doctors are miserable; only they have problems. Give me a break...
And what about the families who lose someone because a doctor completely screwed up? I guess those families were just being "shameless" because they placed all their trust in that physician. We had someone in our family who was a head nurse; if you asked her for a favor through her connections, she’d get it done, but everyone knew what kind of "thank you" gift was brought to the doctor. It wasn't even an issue because you got things handled in the fastest possible timeframe—you weren't waiting months for a test result or a scan like the "ordinary mortals" out there. How is that normal??? She hadn't worked a single night shift in years, probably because of the reputation she had built.
People who choose medicine, whatever their reasons, are entering a noble profession. But then they become arrogant and rude themselves because they start thinking they're better than everyone else, and we, the mere mortals, just let them get away with it. They live off our money; we pay them, whether it's through standard salaries or through those "rewards." You don't see any doctor driving a junker or living in some damp basement apartment. Our society is lacking so much tolerance. Just so much.
The little Boy who goes to school with my son a few weeks ago was in a state that was almost half-dead (he's only 8). The doctors and staff over at Mayo Clinic missed the mark—they didn't do everything they were supposed to do. If he hadn't been transferred to infectious diseases immediately, he would have died. Upon arrival there, he was diagnosed instantly with meningococcal sepsis. Those spots that started breaking out on him while he was still at the first facility? They totally ignored them. I mean, helloooo... how is that even normal!!! Their mistakes are treated like they MUST NOT happen, regardless of the fact that they are human beings too.
Speaking of the Klaićev clinic... honestly, if we're going there, I have a whole collection of little stories regarding the "kindness" of their nurses just waiting to be told. But let's just start with this one... Since our little guy had hydrocele, he obviously needed surgery. And since we were already doing anesthesia, we figured, why not get his circumcision and frenectomy done at the same time? We spent months preparing him—he was only four, you know—and then we head in for the pre-op with the anesthesiologist. The nurse tells us, "Be here tomorrow at 11:00 AM, fasting. No earlier appointments available!!" Can you even imagine the struggle? Trying to keep a four-year-old from eating or drinking anything until 11:00 in the morning???
But we pushed through. The doctor was lovely; he was so patient, explaining everything, showing us exactly what would happen and how. He tells us to come back the next day at 7:00 AM for the actual procedure. I thought, "Great, that's it!" Then I ask him, "Wait, why did everything have to be done on an empty stomach today?" He looks at me like I'm crazy, totally confused by the question. And the nurse—the very same one—is standing right there! I look at her, and she just shrugs and says, "Oh, I thought they were going to draw blood."
We said our goodbyes to the doctor, and as I was leaving, I made sure to thank her, while also letting her know she wasn't acting remotely sane (with a smile, of course 🙂).
Then, after the surgery, I actually got into a confrontation with that same nurse on the ward because she left him lying there, practically baked in the sun—apparently, someone couldn't be bothered to pull down the blinds. My husband and I headed home around 6:00 PM. I called around 8:00 to check on him, only to have this nurse categorically insist that our child wasn't even on HER ward, and that I should "get myself together" and stop bothering her. After a bit of a shouting match, I managed to get hold of the doctor, and it turns out the boy was indeed on HER ward.
The next morning, around 10:00, we show up to see how our little treasure is doing, and the nurse goes, "Don't you people realize he's going home today? But only if I sign a paper saying that from this moment on, YOU are responsible for him." (I mean, excuse me? Who has been responsible for him for the last four years?) I told her, "As long as everything is fine and the doctor confirms it, absolutely..."
As I'm getting him dressed, this awful woman starts lecturing me on how to properly dress his penis, implying that no mother does it right (as if his condition was my fault instead of just how he was born!). I take him by the hand and we start to leave—nobody is telling us anything, the nurses are just drifting around—when suddenly one of them groans, "Wait, he's not allowed to walk!!!" Well, who told us that?! He’s a chunky kid, and carrying him wasn't exactly easy. I asked if I could borrow a stroller just to get him to the car, and she says sure, provided I bring it back... as if I'd ever bring that thing back to her house. 😕
Fast forward a few days to the follow-up appointment. There she is, that rude nurse (the little guy actually hid behind my legs when he saw her), along with the surgeon. They lay him down on the exam table, and she starts the nurse going to examine his surgical site, and the little man just snaps: "If you touch me again, I am never letting you near me for the rest of my life. Only my mommy and this doctor are allowed." The nurse stood there frozen. The doctor just burst out laughing. And me? I was bursting with pride because my little guy already knows how to stand up for himself. 😘
Look, I work with people too, so I know that feeling where you just want to 🙂 walk away—not because I’m actually treating them (even if it feels that way sometimes), but because I refuse to let my personal life bleed into my work, or vice versa. Sometimes it feels like an impossible mission, but experience eventually works its magic. At the end of the day, patients are human beings. Some things just can't become routine, especially when you're dealing with a human life! In my opinion, any sane, healthy person can recognize when they aren't cut out for this kind of job anymore. If your conscience starts screaming at you, you have to listen. You have to say, "Listen, guys, I don't think I can do this anymore. I'm about to make a catastrophic mistake. Let's find another solution—maybe I'll teach the next generation... or something."
If I understood you correctly, you're still just a medical student?
Noah Vaughn3 said:Based on my own experience, I’ve learned one thing for certain: those people always seem absolutely wonderful and perfect right at the start. They play the part flawlessly, acting like the sweetest souls you'll ever meet, but don't let that fool you for a second. It's always the same pattern.
Honestly, I’ll take a junior doctor over some big-shot specialist any day of the week. Why? Because the younger ones actually have the drive. They have the knowledge, and more importantly, they aren't too terrified or embarrassed to admit when they don't have an answer. They haven't been corrupted by the system yet; they’re still out there grinding, trying to actually build a reputation and prove themselves. But those "legendary" doctors with the massive reputations? Please. They act like they’ve personally mastered every ounce of wisdom on the planet. They walk around with this insufferable attitude that we should all be profoundly honored just to step foot in their office, as if being treated by them is some kind of divine privilege. It's exhausting.
Noah Vaughn3 said:Eventually, they’ll get on their nerves too... honestly, you guys are proving my point right here. One of the biggest reasons this keeps happening is the people themselves. It’s like nobody has any respect for doctors anymore. Instead of trusting them, everyone just sits around waiting for a single mistake so they can sue them, harass them, and make their lives a living hell.
Wait, what on earth is wrong with these people? Seriously. I have an immense amount of respect for the medical profession—I really do. These are the individuals who hold your life, and the lives of everyone you love most, in their hands. It's a massive responsibility. But look, it’s not like I forced anyone to go through med school or push them into becoming doctors. If they’ve already climbed that mountain and earned those credentials, then for heaven's sake, they should act like it. You’re expected to live by your oath and, frankly, just show some basic decency and common courtesy. It shouldn't be this hard. So you’re actually sitting there telling me that I should just sit around and wait for some doctor to absolutely wreck my life—or my family's life—just so I can have the "opportunity" to sue them? Like that's some kind of grand life ambition of mine? Seriously, stop talking such nonsense. It's ridiculous. If you messed up, have some decency and just own it. Be a man and admit your mistakes.
Noah Vaughn3 said:It’s honestly exhausting watching people treat them like they're some kind of gods. Everyone walks into those clinics expecting them to be superhuman, expecting them to have a magic wand that cures everything instantly. It doesn't work like that. It’s just not how medicine works, regardless of how much pressure you pile on. They aren't machines.
Look, people in my neighborhood aren't walking into a doctor's office expecting some kind of superhero to swoop in and save the day. They aren't looking for Superman. They just want a real human being—someone who actually takes the time to examine them, listen to what they're saying, order the necessary tests, and then sit down to explain the diagnosis and the treatment plan. Any sane person understands that we’re dealing with incredibly heavy, difficult illnesses. Because of that, any normal person expects a basic level of human decency and empathy. But honestly? That’s becoming a rare commodity these days. You can barely find a shred of genuine human connection anymore, not even from the nursing staff. It's frustrating as hell.
Noah Vaughn3 said:And then you’ll all turn around and ask, "Well, what did they even study for?" Give me a break. Honestly, so few people actually bother to look before they leap when they enroll in a university program. They don't stop to think about the fact that this isn't just some temporary hobby—this is their life. This is what they're going to be doing every single day for the next forty years. You can't just coast through; you have to commit to doing the job at the highest possible level, because that's what the profession demands. It's about accountability, something people seem to forget these days.
Look, if you get your results back from the lab and they aren't what you expected, just move on to a different field that actually suits you. It’s not rocket science. Some people seem to be under this delusional impression that once they finish their degree, they’re set for life—like they can just cruise through and spend the rest of their careers building ships or whatever. Newsflash: the real world doesn't work like that. Life isn't a straight line, and a single diploma isn't a magic ticket to a lifelong career in shipbuilding. Get a grip.😕
Noah Vaughn3 said:Honestly, there are times when I walk into a hospital and I am just completely repulsed by how some people carry themselves. The attitude, the lack of basic empathy... it’s nauseating. It makes me wonder—once I finally grind through the rest of my degree and get my credentials, am I going to turn into one of those cold, heartless bureaucrats? Am I really going to end up being that kind of person?
Oh, give me a break. Don't you dare act like it doesn't matter. It is genuinely wonderful when a doctor actually greets you, when they show they care, when you feel a spark of genuine warmth. Even if you know deep down they might not be able to fix everything, feeling that sense of empathy and basic human decency is everything.
Noah Vaughn3 said:A lot of things are "wrong" regarding this patient-doctor relationship, starting with the state of the healthcare system itself... doctors are definitely underpaid... I mean, nobody wants to work for free. For crying out loud, an MTA bus driver makes more than some specialists... so now you think about why they're all so burnt out and cranky. And before you say they have a right to act like jerks because of those conditions—they don't. There is absolutely no excuse for treating patients like garbage.
Look, problems exist in every single sector of society. We aren't exactly a wealthy nation, though we certainly could be. Yes, doctors are undervalued, but that gives them zero right to misdiagnose someone or act like total cowboys. Everyone with a job claims they aren't paid enough and thinks their salary should be higher. Personally, I think the entire healthcare structure needs a massive overhaul. In my opinion, a hospital director shouldn't even be a medical professional; it should be a manager who knows how to handle revenue and expenses, find investors, and court donors... Just look at a facility like Mount Sinai; that person actually knows what they're doing.
Noah Vaughn3 said:But you're forgetting they are just human beings too. They have their own struggles, and it’s rare to find a physician who doesn't vent or complain occasionally (which is why so many of them end up burning out, drinking heavily, or turning to drugs...). So please, I am begging you, try to understand that being in a doctor's shoes isn't easy either.
I tip my hat to the truly great physicians, I really do, but we all have our own issues to deal with. If you can't help yourself, there are psychologists and psychiatrists for that... at least they know who is actually competent in their field. If you made the choice to become a doctor, then damn it, be a doctor.
Speaking of ophthalmologists... about four years ago, I went to this private clinic—honestly, I can't even remember the name right now because they're doing renovations—but the specialist there was Skegro, who is Spanish. I already knew I had a slight prescription, but I hadn't bothered wearing glasses until recently when my computer work started really straining my eyes. So, I book an appointment and head in. She’s lovely, very professional, explains everything clearly... nothing to complain about there. It turns out my prescription isn't massive, but I do have astigmatism. Well, whatever, right? I ended up buying a pair of glasses from them, which cost me $0.83 (nice frames, cylindrical lenses, all that good stuff) She warned me it would take some time to adjust. Three months later, I’m back because I still couldn't get used to them. She checked me and the glasses again, basically telling me, "Look, you just need more time." And honestly, it took me ages, but eventually, I got used to them.
Fast forward: my company organized a routine physical for all employees, which included an eye exam. They put me in front of that machine, look at my glasses, ask where I got them made... and suddenly, according to him, I don't even have astigmatism (???) He starts explaining the readings from the machine to me, and I ask if it can be cured. He says no. So, I just brushed it off; I only wear the glasses at work anyway, and I can't function without them. Then, during this year's corporate physical, I see an ophthalmologist again. Once more, I'm in the machine, and once more, he tells me I don't have astigmatism. But here's the kicker: I've become so dependent on those cylindrical lenses that I practically can't do my job without them now. That private practice is closed right now because they're renovating and expanding. It looks like it'll be a long, drawn-out process before they reopen, and honestly, what am I supposed to do? I'm stuck.