Jacob Fox6 said:Okay, so now I’m thinking Kate Collins67 was actually a guy, just like most of the recent posts unless his wife is typing in the masculine form...🙂
Blah, blah, envelopes... when did you even deal with that? I have never, ever been in a situation like that in my life. Honestly, I wish those little "gifts" didn't play such a huge role with local town halls, or instead of envelopes, people weren't handing out favors from $333, coffee, or boxes of chocolates and stuff like that...
With certain procedures, surgeons will actually tell patients straight up to buy their own supplies if they want higher quality materials than what the hospital provides. I know of a specific case, but that isn't the surgeon just lining their own pockets. As for the ones who actually demand bribes, just report them to the FBI, call a news station so they can run a story and ruin their reputation or at least cast doubt on them... rather than just talking generally and dragging all doctors through the mud. In all my years, I have literally never once been in a position where I had to give anyone anything extra or pay under the table—not me and not anyone close to me. And if what you're claiming is really that common, then I should have run into that opportunity at least once by now, don't you think?!
Of course they don't ask directly; it's a matter of... style. But they certainly don't complain if you "discreetly" thank them for something in the future. And which doctors are we talking about? They are in the minority, and it doesn't change the system. In every profession, there are individuals who deviate from basic ethics. And why are you getting so worked up? Has anyone actually pointed a finger at you? 😕
For example, Dr. Ognjen Šimić is certainly not a stranger to the public.
Kate Collins67 said:Now that we’ve all cooled off a bit and the heat of the moment has died down, I figured I’d drop a little guide for all you patients out there looking for the fastest way to actually get your problems solved. When you walk into a doctor's office, for heaven's sake, just focus on the actual issue that brought you there—stop dancing around the point and let the physician lead the conversation. If patients would just answer my questions directly when they walk into the exam room, the initial part of my job would be wrapped up in minutes; instead, people start rambling about things that have nothing to do with the issue at hand, and then the appointment drags on forever depending on how much they love the sound of their own voice.
When we ask why you're here, one single sentence is plenty—just stick to the facts and answer the follow-up questions. It's simple: "I'm here because of pain in my lower right abdomen" (or just point to where it hurts), and that's been going on for two days. That's it. I already know exactly what I need to ask you to reach a diagnosis.
Once the conversation wraps up, if you honestly feel like you missed something vital, feel free to mention it—though, let's be real, it usually turns out to be irrelevant anyway, but hey, at least we won't miss anything.
Look, this probably doesn't apply to every single doctor out there, but in my opinion, starting this way is your best bet, and you'll see where it leads from there.
You forgot to mention:
Once the consultation ends, do not offer us envelopes; we do not accept them. ☕
dustymarlin10 said:Do you REALLY think I don't pay doctors through my Medicare premiums? I mean, every single month, with every paycheck, regardless of whether I actually step foot in their office or not, right? Is that really how you see it? Because if that’s your logic, then who exactly do you think is footing the bill for those doctors?!
My point was specifically about private practice and providing better access to physicians (much like veterinarians), because financial incentives drive performance. I am arguing that if doctors in public service were incentivized the same way—for instance, receiving bonuses for high success rates or excellent patient communication—that extra cost would fall directly on the patient in this system of empty coffers. This translates to either higher taxes or increased insurance premiums.
What exactly did you think I meant? That a great doctor gets their full salary while an average one gets half? 🙂 Quality is built through addition, not subtraction.
You’ll be paying for that different approach just like you do when you visit a private specialist. And if every doctor starts getting paid based on "incentives," believe me, that shift is going to be funded directly out of your own pocket.
dustymarlin10 said:I honestly think there’s a reason for that. I mean, seriously. If a vet is rude, you just go somewhere else. And that first vet? They lose all the money you would've spent there. One client leaves, then another, then a third, and pretty soon that vet can't even pay the bills. The whole practice goes under. With doctors, regardless of how they act (and whether patients jump ship or not), the paycheck stays steady. A decent paycheck (for what we make here). They work less and pull in the same amount.
Until doctors aren't paid based on their patient volume and actual results, things aren't going to change.
Oh, absolutely—it’s just like veterinarians. And then we, the patients, would be forced to become perfectly polite. We wouldn't dare pull a doctor aside or ask any tough questions; we'd just sit there smiling nicely, because if we happen to be difficult, we'll get snapped at.😁
Jacob Fox6 said:That is exactly it, I am totally on board with that... except for the hand-holding part, because I am constantly washing mine, just like all the other doctors out there...😁
It isn't about the bacteria. That gesture actually means, "I feel for you; you only have a month left to live." 😁
When you look at the doctor-patient relationship, I truly believe the most critical factor is receiving an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Will my physician offer me a warm smile or a friendly glance? Honestly, when you consider how many patients walked through those clinic doors before me today, and how many will follow in my footsteps... please, let’s be realistic. And God forbid they actually try to take my hand 🙂
It could potentially be panic attacks, which might also be linked to thyroid issues. I’d suggest getting your hormone levels checked or just scheduling a consultation with your doctor.
A fundamental indicator of autism is when children—even infants—actively avoid eye contact or simply seem to look right "through" the person they are interacting with. If your child communicates normally, even if it’s just in their own little way, then you likely aren't looking at autism.
I find myself agreeing with mistydrifter55; this seems like perfectly typical behavior for a child of that age. However, if you want absolute peace of mind, why not consult a specialist? A professional evaluation could help clarify any underlying issues. Intense focus on a specific subject isn't an automatic indicator of autism; it could simply be a natural predisposition or a latent talent waiting to flourish.
If it helps, even Mozart would spend hours lost in his harpsichord at just three years old, and biographers often noted he wasn't particularly social back then...😉
I haven't checked the boards in a while, so you likely already touched on this... depression can often be triggered by an underlying medical issue, such as organ dysfunction or hormonal imbalances. Generally speaking, though, depression takes hold when external stressors become so overwhelming that they eclipse our core purpose: the fundamental belief that I am the meaning and goal of my own existence. Motivation simply vanishes. One loses the drive to achieve, to seek recognition, or even just to engage with life in a way that feels meaningful or prioritized.
You’re describing a ring pattern... it's hard to say for sure just from a description. Is there any chance you encountered a tick in that area? You might want to look up Lyme disease on Google to see if the symptoms match what you're seeing. Try not to panic just yet.