Posts by Kate Collins67

Patrick Reyes15 said:Here’s the rest of the story since the last post cut me off mid-sentence. 🙂

About eight years ago, my mom was diagnosed with some heart issues—and of course, because medical opinions vary, we were met with a mountain of conflicting advice right out of the gate, which didn't exactly inspire confidence. Basically, an old doctor—a family friend who wasn't practicing anymore—read her EKG and told us she’d actually had a myocardial infarction and just walked right through it. Naturally, the hospital staff didn't see it that way initially. Once they finally confirmed it, the confusion only grew; one specialist would insist she needed valve surgery, while another argued medication was enough. It leaves you feeling incredibly vulnerable as a patient when you're supposed to be in capable hands, yet the experts in front of you are essentially bickering over your life.
Ultimately, she ended up on a regimen of pills without the surgery, which—in a cruel twist of fate—only made things worse regarding Dad’s situation, eventually leading doctors to say a transplant was her only hope. They actually caught the urgency during a private ultrasound at a clinic—she’d been sent there by her hospital doctor because apparently, the hospital staff was too "overbooked" or "tied up"... I can't recall the exact excuse. When she urgently scheduled an appointment with her primary physician, he agreed a transplant was necessary and explained there was a massive gauntlet of testing required just to get her on the waiting list.
The transplant team includes a very prominent, highly recognized surgeon who will be overseeing her case. Shortly after, my mom was admitted to the hospital for those tests, and both of my parents ended up hospitalized simultaneously—each in a different part of town. In moments like those, all you crave is a little compassion or a kind word from the medical staff. But humanity was in short supply. My mom would ask to be released for an hour or two around 2:00 AM when there were no tests scheduled, just so she could visit Dad, who was literally counting down his final days. Some doctors viewed this as nothing more than extreme rudeness or being "spoiled," and they flatly refused to sign the paperwork to let her out. A few others were more reasonable, so she did manage to slip out briefly here and there. After spending two weeks in that hospital, dealing with a mix of total idiots and genuinely wonderful people who actually care about their work, they finally cleared her for the transplant list.
Later on, she had to go in for monthly follow-ups, which usually involved sitting in a waiting room for three or four hours just to have this high-profile surgeon ask if everything was "okay" or if there was anything new. Honestly, the way this system handles critically ill patients is nonsensical. They schedule these appointments, and then the doctor doesn't even show up because she's on call or somewhere else entirely. And when you finally do get a moment with this "distinguished" professional, she treats you with zero empathy or genuine interest in the patient’s well-being. To top it off, she didn't even bother explaining the actual transplant process—what to expect, what recovery looks like, or how long the wait might be. During one check-up, Mom tried to give the doctor the contact numbers for all of us, just in case her heart failed and she couldn't hear her phone, so we could rush her to the hospital. The doctor wouldn't even listen or take a single note. Seriously, lady, if the police ever had to track you down, you'd be in trouble. She said that to a critically ill cardiac patient! I think if Mom saw a police officer at our door, she’d think something catastrophic had happened to us.
I accompanied her once and we actually joked about how empty the place was—maybe everyone was away on a ski trip or something. Regardless, we still sat there waiting for an hour. So much for "efficiency" and organization.
On the bright side, Mom did receive a heart. We experienced quite a few beautiful moments during that phase. From the very first contact with the nurse who called us, to the intake process and the staff preparing her for surgery, the atmosphere was incredibly positive and relaxed, which really helped build trust in both the procedure and the recovery. We stayed with her right up until the surgery, which meant a lot to us. The operation went well, and by the next morning, she was moved to the ICU. The people in the ICU were unbelievably kind and sweet. From the doctors to the young nursing staff, they were exactly how I imagine medical professionals should be: compassionate, human, and highly skilled. It felt secure and encouraging.
Once she moved from the ICU to the general ward, however, the vibe changed completely. You still find some decent people, but you also run into the most inexplicable individuals. There are people there who snap at patients, don't even offer a greeting when they walk in, act incredibly arrogant, and are just plain rude—they won't show up even twenty minutes after being called, and when they finally do, they're condescending. For instance, Mom asked for her slippers because they were under the bed, and the response she got was, "What do you want? Should I put them on your bed instead?" Then she asked for the blanket to be moved because she was hot, and the nurse just snapped at her and left it draped over her legs. When she asked for something for the pain—not a pill, as the doctor had specifically instructed—the nurse barked at her that she couldn't do it that way. When Mom asked to call the doctor, the nurse claimed he wasn't available; when Mom asked to call him on the phone to verify the medication, the nurse insisted there wasn't even a doctor on shift. Now, I have to wonder: is she blatantly lying, or does a ward housing a heart transplant patient truly have no doctor on call at night? I honestly don't know which thought is more terrifying.

The real reason Mom isn't allowed to just wander out? It comes down to the legal fallout for the staff. If something were to happen to her while she’s wandering off the unit, and the family decides to file a massive lawsuit, the hospital is on the hook. And look, as you already pointed out, you find all kinds of people in these places—including those who pull this kind of absolute nonsense—so blame them, not the nurses. The staff is just covering their own backs. (I mean, obviously, Mom can always sign those papers saying she refuses treatment and wants to be discharged—not permanently, mind you—but the hospital isn't a prison cell.)

A year older... and apparently no wiser.

@Patrick Reyes15

I see your last post basically killed this entire thread—honestly, I have no idea why.
Everything you just laid out is just my daily reality, except I’m looking at it from the staff side of things.

Your shock at how the system works actually confuses me. Your dad passed away from colon cancer, your mom has heart disease, and by any standard statistical measure, you’re someone who should be looking at health risks after 40—yet you still cling to this incredibly naive, idealistic worldview.

Look, I can give you some straight answers to the questions that seem to be eating at you:
1. Most doctors in hospital wards during their shifts are just there to "get through it." They aren't necessarily uncaring, but let's be real—they're indifferent. They don't want to come check on patients just to be grilled about trivialities that won't change the medical outcome anyway. Besides, the doctor on call isn't there to be your personal counselor or a walking encyclopedia of your specific case; they are there for emergency interventions. For everything else, there's the medication chart and the floor nurse.

2. A hospital isn't a Hilton, and you don't have the right to wander in and out whenever you feel like it. So, all those insults you hurled at the nurse because she wouldn't let you onto the ward after visiting hours? That's completely uncalled for. Seriously, if you had said that to a security guard, they would have tossed you right out of the building.

3. If you aren't happy with how a patient is being managed, you have every right to file an official complaint with the department head or even the hospital director—that's how civilized people handle things. And just to clarify one thing: the constant "tuck me in," "fix my blanket," "move this" stuff can get really irritating for some patients, but frankly, that isn't my job, so I'm just noting it.

4. As for terminal patients—in your father's situation, being at home is better than being in a hospital, regardless of whatever reason you want to use to justify it. The most humane thing a doctor can do for a dying patient (someone with an incurable illness) is to send them home. There is nothing more human than that. Dying in a hospital, far away from anyone you actually know, is just as terrifying as it is at home—the only difference is that in a hospital, it's happening out of your sight.

To looks like a totally common occurrence to me—and honestly, they’re supposed to be "normal" by definition, aren't they?

granitemoose232 said:A huge thank you to everyone for all the feedback!

The Bolded word isn't actually mentioned in the doctor's report.

So, if I’m following you correctly, he didn't actually say the IBM results were bad—he just told *you* they were. So we're talking about "imaginary issues" here? Look, an IBM machine doesn't have a medical degree.

Just keep recording that IBM until the trace looks clean—it’s honestly the easiest way to shake those phantom artifacts caused by the right arm lead.

northernviper12 said:.....
They just act like a company with computers that aren't even networked and employees who can't stand each other—so I end up acting like some delivery guy just carrying messages back and forth between them....

It’s not that they act like, they actually are a company with disconnected computers and a staff that's constantly at each other's throats.
Honestly, you don't even realize how much you hit the nail on the head with that one.

@ Susan Rodriguez4

So, here’s how it works—specializations are split up, half happens at the clinic and the other half goes to the home institution. How much time you actually spend at that home facility? That’s entirely up to whatever the Department of the Treasury decides to approve.
But here is where things get messy: the salaries paid out for working at the home institution also get factored into the debt calculation.
Now, I can wrap my head around the second part of the debt—the portion handled at the clinics while the home institution covers the paycheck—but the rest of this logic? It just doesn't add up.

http://www.nytimes.com/article/dr-smith-on-maternity-care/779579/

And this right here is exactly why I never wanted to go into OB-GYN work...

The guy is being judged solely based on the opinions of two "post-war generals"—and let me tell you, if those two ever actually practiced medicine in the real world, they’ve probably buried more people through their own incompetence than anyone else...

Susan Rodriguez4 said:1. The issue of self-taught doctors is unfortunately everywhere in the medical field. Our education system is pathetic; knowledge isn't valued during training or afterward. But that's how it is in all government agencies. Doctors are no exception here.
Likewise, doctors who get their white coats and specialize for a specific institution often feel neither gratitude nor any moral responsibility toward the entity that enabled them to train and acquire the knowledge that stays with them for life, rather than staying with the institution. That is exactly why these restrictive contracts were created.

2. Yes, you have to pay back the salary (my mistake), and in some hospitals, you even have to pay back the specialist's salary that was covering your position while you were learning.
You aren't creating debt because you aren't performing your full job. In reality, you're getting paid upfront. I wonder what your stance would be if you only started receiving a paycheck after you actually began working for the institution you specialized for? How would you survive during your training? That’s why I say the institution is feeding you. They are paying you in advance for future work. (A gross salary of $4000 comes to 432 $0.00 over 3 years).

3. Residency costs $5000 per year. Knowledge is the cheapest commodity we have.
People who "refuse" to sign a contract pay for their own training, but no one gives them a paycheck during that time; they have to find another way to earn money to eat and live. On top of that, they still have to pay for Social Security and Medicare. During that same period, for those under "contract," the institution pays out that 432 $0.00.

Therefore, a contract is the most normal way for an employer to protect themselves and their investment. You see this in every private corporation and business. The government is the only entity with enough cash to not care if they train someone only for that person to jump ship to another job. A private employer can't and won't allow that.
Look, medicine might be the only field where the government has actually adopted a market-based approach. Unfortunately, the contracts vary wildly, drafted under vague regulations and unclear criteria, which makes them a constant source of frustration and confusion. But if they are needed, they are. They just need clear criteria and parameters. But Milinović doesn't have the guts to implement that, because then the "chosen ones" wouldn't be able to dodge the contracts.

Look, I don't know about you, but if you finished your specialty and then worked, fine—but I will absolutely put in the work. If you're pulling 88 hours of overtime a month in an ER where you're basically running the whole show solo, then honestly, the hospital shouldn't even bother paying me, since the hospital is the one educating me...

To work in hospitals, specialization is mandatory—it’s just a built-in part of continuing your medical education. Therefore, the government—not individual hospitals—has to fund these specialties if they want anyone to actually staff the system. Since the system doesn't return anywhere near the amount of money invested, self-funding isn't an option unless you come from a family with deep pockets.

Besides, the government funded all our high school workers to meet its own needs, right? So, are those people somehow obligated to repay the state? Are they bound by contracts or any other college degree paid for by the Department of the Treasury, or are these people tied down by contracts to federal agencies? I wouldn't say so.

@ northernviper12
Forget about getting that surgery done anytime soon. They’re blocking you just to cover their own backs—and honestly, who cares? It’s their turn to deal with the fallout when they're the ones under the microscope next. As long as the hospital boards and insurance companies stay satisfied, they don't give a damn about you. If you end up taking them to court—assuming you even make it that far—they won't blink an eye.
Technically, someone could let you through under their own discretion, because let's be real: objectively speaking, nothing is going to happen to them, especially if you're younger or if we're talking about some minor infection so subtle that even basic clinical tests wouldn't catch the symptoms.

But fine, whatever. One day you guys are going to realize that you’ve built the exact kind of healthcare system you deserve. Constant complaining and finger-pointing only makes life harder for you in the long run, because when things get real, the whole process becomes a nightmare for the patient if the doctor is primarily focused on protecting their own skin.

Look, there are actually cases where certain institutions will demand you put up your parents' house—or pretty much any property you can find—as collateral for a mortgage within a specialization contract. And let’s be real, at the moment you're signing those papers, it's usually the parents' place because you almost certainly don't own anything yourself yet.

Casey Palmer5 said:Well, if they catch you during your residency, you're basically on the hook to work for them—think twice the length of the program itself. If you quit, they technically have the right to sue you to claw back all those salaries and everything they invested in your training. Legally speaking? It’s a long shot. With a decent lawyer, you could probably fight it off... But you are signing that contract, yes. And it's not even a permanent position; they keep you on fixed-term contracts, which can make things like qualifying for a mortgage a total nightmare.

There is no way out of that contract unless you pull some strings to get the hospital to waive the debt—which, by the way, they actually have the authority to do.
Don't bother trying to fight it through a lawyer; I’ve spoken with a former judge who now handles private litigation against doctors trying to break their contracts, and let me tell you—they lose every single time.

The reality is that most hospitals will meet you halfway by letting you pay back the principal without interest, but you still have to settle the entire remaining balance. And since there are no standardized rules for how this is calculated, the amount varies wildly from one medical center to the next.

To make matters worse, these contracts are often enforceable as judgments—at least mine was. That means the hospital doesn't even need to step foot in a courtroom to come after you; they can just go straight for your assets and property the moment you breach the agreement.

Susan Rodriguez4 I can't even begin to wrap my head around what they’re saying here. Seriously, how does anyone look at this situation and think it makes any sense? It’s like we’re living in some kind of alternate reality where logic just went out the window—is that what we've become? Just accepting whatever nonsense gets pushed our way without a second thought? It's frustrating, honestly. You try to make a point, you try to point out the obvious flaws in the system, and then you get met with this level of sheer, unadulterated stupidity. It's enough to make you want to scream into a pillow. We need to be asking better questions—real questions—instead of just nodding along like everything is fine. Because it isn't fine. Not by a long shot.
Of course they’re going to tie you down for ten years. It’s a total racket. You’ve got a hospital or a medical center sponsoring your residency, right? They’re covering your salary, paying for your entire medical school tuition, and even handling your pension and health insurance contributions. And then what? After three, four, or maybe five years of them footing the bill, they expect you to stay in their grip. It's basically a gilded cage—they pay for everything upfront just to make sure they own your career for the next decade. Makes sense from their perspective, I guess, but isn't it just a way to manufacture indentured servitude under the guise of "professional development"? Honestly, what’s even the point of having that doctor around during residency? It feels like a complete waste of time—seriously, why bother? Most of the specialists are already out working at different hospitals or private practices anyway, so they aren't even physically there to actually help. It's just one more layer of useless bureaucracy when you're trying to get things done.
It’s honestly ridiculous how the system is set up—even after you finish all that grueling medical school and residency, there's this binding contract hanging over your head. Basically, you're forced to sign an agreement where you owe the hospital or university that funded your training twice the length of your actual schooling. You're essentially indentured to them! And if you decide you want some actual freedom or a better opportunity elsewhere? They come after you for every cent of the tuition plus massive penalties. How is that even remotely fair? Is this supposed to be "serving the community," or is it just a way for big healthcare systems to trap talent? It feels less like a career path and more like a debt trap designed to keep doctors on a leash. Look, let’s be real here—does anyone actually believe they have to pay back every single cent of their wages and taxes? Because I certainly don't. It’s all just a giant, circular game of musical chairs played by people who think they can control every penny we earn. Why should we be expected to play by these rigid, suffocating rules when the system itself feels like it's constantly shifting under our feet? Is it even necessary to settle every little discrepancy, or is that just more bureaucratic nonsense designed to keep us running in circles? Honestly, it feels like a massive waste of energy. For most specializations, the money just moves around in circles—it’s all just shifting from one pocket to another without actually changing anything. We’re talking about a range of $30,000 to $50,000—and honestly, let’s be real for a second—is that even enough anymore? When you look at the numbers, it feels like we're just spinning our wheels. Is anyone actually seeing that kind of money go as far as it used to? It feels like a drop in the bucket when you consider how much everything costs these days.Honestly, it’s about time we started looking at this logically—the amount should be scaling down proportionally with every single year that passes. Why wouldn't it? It just makes sense to have it decrease steadily as the years go by.
So, let me get this straight—even after all that, the doctor decides to just pull the plug on the contract early? And what happens next? They sit down with the facility and hammer out some convenient little deal for a 7 or 10-year repayment plan—no late fees, no interest, nothing—and then they just walk right out the door into private practice, pocketing $2,000 in the process? Are you kidding me? Is that really how the system works now?$1000 So, let me get this straight—we’re actually talking about monthly interest-free loans now? Are you kidding me? Is this some kind of joke or a fever dream? I mean, seriously, where does the math even work out on that? You can't just pull these things out of thin air without someone, somewhere, footing the bill. It sounds great on paper—doesn't it? It sounds like a total lifesaver when you're staring down a stack of bills—but there's always a catch. There is *always* a catch. Who is actually providing this? Some massive bank looking to lure people in with a shiny carrot before they hit them with hidden fees? Or is it some government program that’s going to evaporate the second the political wind shifts? Honestly, it feels too good to be true, which usually means it's a trap. What’s the fine print actually saying? Because I guarantee you, once you dig past the headline, there's a mountain of strings attached.
Honestly, if you ask me, these contracts are way too soft. We need much heavier penalties and significantly longer repayment terms if we actually want to see any real accountability. Why are we even settling for these weak terms? It’s ridiculous.

Are you living in some kind of parallel universe? Seriously, what are we even doing here?

Look, it’s just one piece of the puzzle—it isn't the whole damn specialization. What’s even the point? In that first phase, you basically pour your entire soul into the job, breaking every rule in the book just to satisfy this institution that—as much as they love telling me—is supposedly "providing for me." But let's be real: they aren't actually fulfilling their end of the bargain when it comes to education. Instead of getting actual training, you just end up becoming a self-taught doctor. Is that really what we're calling professional development these days? It's ridiculous.

Look, they basically have to pay back every cent of those salaries and taxes—money they didn't even actually earn. Think about the math here: they’re paying out specialist-level gross salaries when all they're actually receiving are specialist-trainee rates. So, they take that money, pay themselves for the work they did for the institution, and then what? You end up in this absurd loop where you're essentially working a job only to rack up a massive debt in the process. It’s madness. Every single paycheck that hits your account ends up being treated like a personal loan you owe back to the system. Can you even wrap your head around that level of stupidity? Imagine working your tail off just to realize you actually owe the employer money for the privilege of working there. It's completely backwards.

Look, let’s get real about the numbers here—we're talking roughly $200,000 to $350,000 just for the specialization itself. That’s the ballpark figure. And keep in mind, that price tag is specifically for the folks who aren't going under a formal contract—you know, the ones who choose to pay their own way out of pocket. But there's a massive catch that people seem to gloss over: you aren't pulling in a salary, and you aren't paying into any benefits or social security during those four grueling years. It's a massive gamble, isn't it?

Casey Palmer5 said:Ugh, honestly, I’d say it’s actually the exact opposite, at least based on my own experience (and not even as a patient)...

And yeah, I put "rude" in quotes there—totally forgot to mention that.
The thing is, that's just how patients perceive them. These doctors are constantly under fire, so they have to put up this defensive wall just to survive. Most of these high-level professors and PhD types stay tucked away behind closed doors; only certain people even get an appointment with them, which makes it harder for them to be outwardly abrasive. But let me tell you—privately? I know exactly who the real pieces of work are and who isn't.

bluehawk37 said:I would personally introduce Russian language and literature, basic shipbuilding, and perhaps logic and reasoning. That would solve everything. Like I said before, there isn't much need for "communication studies." A patient tells me what hurts and what their issue is; I provide a diagnosis, recommend therapy, or refer them out. Why would a kid in med school need communication skills? We aren't running therapy sessions. If a patient is boring or rambles about nonsense, I'll send them to psychiatry or dump them on a colleague. (That was sarcasm). A doctor won't tell you about drug side effects. I certainly wouldn't. That's what pharmacologists are for. Maybe if they swapped communication classes for more pharmacology, it would work. For anything else, go talk to a pharmacist.😁

The next time you notice people are suddenly going dead silent around you, you really need to ask yourself if the situation described above is playing out—because, let me tell you, that tactic is used way more often than you'd think.

jadesailor14 said:Unless we're talking about plastic surgery, it’s going to be a tough climb! 😁

That's wonderful! 👍
I honestly doubt they’d actually know what to do with that information if they ever found out! 🤣

I am seriously dying of curiosity here—I just have to know, how much is that actually going to run me?
My daughter would definitely have to pay back more than that if she used it for her PhD, but that's still a long way off! Honestly, the scholarship is such a fantastic opportunity, even though the cost of living over there is absolutely sky-high.
But what about here in the States?

I can't even begin to tell you how much of a headache this whole debt calculation thing is—it’s honestly infuriating. Look, I know it’s all supposedly laid out in the contract, but let me tell you, "laid out" doesn't mean "clear." I actually sat down with an independent lawyer to try and make sense of the math, and even she was left scratching her head! If a professional can't give me a straight answer on how they arrived at these numbers, how am I supposed to trust anything? It just feels like a total mess.

jadesailor14 said:Come on, tell us where you work! That kind of info is pure gold.🤣

I honestly have no idea, this is the first I'm hearing of it.
A million dollars? My goodness, for what?!
I get that there are certain conditions attached, but seriously, what could possibly be worth a million bucks?

I’m worth it, so now you see why I have such high self-esteem.☕
And with a salary like this, if I ever decided to quit, I wouldn't be able to pay back my loans in this lifetime.

At the facility where I work, the nurses don't even have the authority to filter patients. Every single person who walks into the internal medicine clinic has to get an exam—it’s a direct order from the top brass...
If you get referred to internal medicine because of ear pain—which is obviously the wrong department, by the way—you still end up getting stuck with a full internal medicine exam, and naturally, you walk away without any actual solution to your problem....

Do some digging into those obligations before you jump in; for some people, if you don't handle things properly, you're looking at debt climbing to ten years or over a million dollars.

There are supposed to be some changes coming down the pipeline, but the big question is whether they're going to apply retroactively.

jadesailor14 said:Just because I haven't personally had to rely on the ER much doesn't mean I haven't kept an eye on things.😁
I haven't seen any massive, crazy crowds anywhere lately.
Where on earth are you finding these huge lines—is the ER packed like Grand Central Station or something?
I know you probably won't reply, but honestly, this seems a little weird to me! 🤷

I don't work directly in the ER—my role is in the hospital proper—but I frequently have to pull shifts covering the emergency outpatient clinics. And let me tell you, those places can get absolutely slammed. If you’re looking for me and it doesn't look like chaos out front, try swinging by one of the three main units nearby: pediatric emergency, surgical emergency, or internal medicine. There are other specialized wings, obviously, but those are the ones where things actually get busy.

jadesailor14 said:Are you legally required to work for the government?
At least today, you have options!

I’d actually love to work for the government right now just for the job security. Sadly, I’m not exactly the best at what I do, and taking sick leave might actually get me fired.
Unfortunately, I didn't think about stuff like this 25 years ago, and now I can't really pivot easily.😁

I won't try to lecture you since you're clearly educated and smart—you'll figure it out on your own! 😉
Just look at the job listings below.

Well, get this—I am absolutely obligated to work for the state. Why? Because my education was tied to a binding service contract. If I quit, I lose everything I've worked for... so much for "free" education, huh?