Posts by ruggedscout91

brisksurfer said:Yeah, I’d love to know how many times a day you'd actually have to wipe that stuff off!!! 😂

Deodorant itself isn't some guarantee of hygiene. It’s just a habit.
Hygiene is an entirely different matter.
The downsides often outweigh the benefits.
I prefer staying natural, paired with things that are actually proven to work.

Raymond Price4 said:So, funny how I'm still breathing then? Both me and my parents had a GP show up at our door every single time we called.

Luckily, most doctors are actual professionals with hearts.
Unlike some people whose logic is about as sound as your average troll in an online parlor (clearly seen in this thread).

And yeah, I agree with the post above—not once have any doctors asked me or my family for money, directly or otherwise, and we’ve certainly never offered it. We got the treatment we needed, plain and simple.

It’s easy to live in a major metropolitan area.
But when you spend some time on the Mediterranean Coast, you realize there aren't many miracles to be found. Along the entire coast, there are no socialized GPs or other specialists, like dentists for instance. You pay dearly for every single test, and they don't even give you a receipt. General practitioners only make house calls when someone is on their deathbed, and even then, maybe not. Especially in small towns.
I can't even remember—and I have both standard and supplemental insurance—ever using my health coverage (aside from this surgery) without having to pay the full amount out of pocket.
Living here feels like being in a foreign country. I've heard that people in Washington, D.C., and residents of larger cities have it much easier: everything is practically on their doorstep (we travel 50-62 miles miles just to get by), they enjoy concerts and exhibitions, and they can head to the plaza for New Year's. Here on the coast, we are stuck in the middle of nowhere, living in isolation. Even Miami, since the current administration took over, has turned into one large, isolated village filled with unemployed people.

Everything operates without any external oversight regarding institutions or doctors. You are entirely dependent on the whims of whoever happens to be providing the service at that moment. Even the local pharmacy in our small town lacks basic necessities: they don't carry antidotes for any kind of poison. They don't even have an antidote for the coumarin used in rat poison, let alone snake antivenom.
Outsiders end up driving to 31 miles just to find something essential when something happens to their children. And since there are several large hotels in town, a place with a permanent population of 3,000 swells to fifteen times that size during the season.

We have no choice here. Everything is centralized in Washington, D.C. Yet we are taxed at the exact same rates for every business. It’s as if we were in the capital. In reality, everything is more expensive for us. We are forced to rely exclusively on private providers because there are no social services to speak of.

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?!

I didn't have to pay because I managed to navigate things "differently."
The price list in Washington, D.C. is roughly $1,000 for a basic gynecological procedure. They say it's around $500 in Miami. It's much cheaper down there, and word is they are more skilled too.
How can some random news anchor earn a $6667 salary that rivals what doctors make? We are already paying double for media fees anyway (between cable and the TV tax).
Regardless, this isn't really the topic at hand.
It just irritates me that this can happen to a woman or a person who has absolutely no money. What is that supposed to mean? Just drop dead?
And Vixen—this happens constantly, like an addiction.

Kate Collins67 said:I honestly don't follow you. Half the time, everyone is preaching about how the patient has a "right to know" this and that.
But now, if I were to look a patient in the eye and tell them—based on my actual medical expertise—that they have maybe six months left to live and that I don't even know of a treatment that could change that outcome, suddenly that's considered wrong too.
I just don't get what exactly you're looking for here.
And frankly, I don't see why you'd bother getting someone banned over this; personally, I don't take offense that easily.

But, dear Kate Collins67, I find myself getting too involved.
If someone tells a child's parents that there are metastases and explains exactly where and how, what should come next?
The parents ought to be told what their options are:

- how to reduce the tumor mass (palliative care),
- who to contact and how to manage pain control,
- how to access therapy and whom to consult,
- what to expect and what supplies they need to have ready at home.
A few comforting words wouldn't hurt to soothe a parent's heart and shift their focus toward practical matters.

Once again, I am warning you: there is absolutely no decent psychological care available for any demographic, for any reason whatsoever.

- It's non-existent for pregnant women,
- it's missing during miscarriages,
- it's absent during D&Cs,
- it's nowhere to be found during major gynecological surgeries or various cancers,
- it's gone during iatrogenic postmenopause,
- it's missing when a patient is given the worst possible news,
- and it's absent when parents are told about a child's terminal illness.

So where are all the psychologists and psychiatrists? Is it only acceptable to talk to addicts and murderers? Or perhaps when a woman is sent to a mental asylum?

Kate Collins67 said:

I can't believe I even have to address this—it’s like talking to a brick wall sometimes. Honestly, does anyone else feel like we're just spinning our wheels here? It feels like every time we try to make sense of things, someone comes along and throws a wrench in the works. Is it just me, or is the level of common sense dropping by the day? It’s exhausting, truly. You try to have a logical conversation—a real, measured discussion—and suddenly you're met with nothing but noise. Why is that? Why is it so hard to find people who actually want to dig into the details instead of just shouting slogans? It's infuriating. kaže:
And you—as a doctor—you’re just going to sit there and stay silent about this? Seriously?
Report her to the Chamber.👍

They tried to take her out—someone way more influential than me, at that—so, you know... nothing happened.

If they couldn't even manage to take down a judge who registered someone else's property under different names on an island—only to have her return to work (whereas if she were abroad, she’d be facing ten years plus returning the stolen assets)—then why would anyone bother removing incompetent doctors?
Why bother? There is zero oversight regarding general practice (they only track the number of referrals and prescriptions) or specialists like OB-GYNs. If there were actual accountability, someone might ask a gynecologist why a fibroid that persisted for ten years suddenly ballooned from a few centimeters to 20x20 cm after regular checkups, forcing a patient into emergency surgery.
He is still practicing as a gynecologist in a coastal town. My surgeon knows he messed up, and likely won't even hold it against him; paperwork just disappears when people realize someone might end up grieving.
The only solution left: a baseball bat, if someone decides they've been wronged enough to seek vengeance. I'm still weighing my options...

Kate Collins67 said:Oh sure, those "mystical" home visits—which in my neighborhood usually just mean the doctor decided to take a field trip to his own house, leaving you wondering if anyone is actually available after 3 PM to deal with patients, or if you're just getting handed off to some random replacement.

Some people just don't work in clinics, and frankly, they have no idea what they're missing out on...

These so-called "surprise visits" are nothing more than excuses to hit up local bars, wander through retail stores, drop by a friend's house, or track down a lover. Is that really all there is to it?
The wealthy and the well-connected get priority treatment. Meanwhile, everyone else? If they can't afford a private specialist, they're stuck waiting in an ER or simply dying. Is that the system we've built?

Kate Collins67 said:Look, I never said that being polite means you're clueless—or that being rude means you're an expert. All I’m saying is, if I’m forced to choose between a friendly person who has no idea what they’re doing and a blunt person who actually knows their stuff? I’ll take the expert every single time.
The real point here is that actual competence matters way more than how much a provider smiles at a patient—even if everyone here keeps trying to frame it differently. Being personable is a nice little bonus, sure, but let’s be real: if the medical knowledge isn't there, all the charm and friendliness in the world isn't going to do a damn thing for a patient in trouble.

You're right.
Patients often unintentionally obstruct a doctor who is actually trying to find the best solution.
I once had a doctor who was a total grouch—terrible at communicating, which caused me significant anxiety both before and after my surgery. However, when it came time to act quickly, perform the operation, and manage a post-op abscess, he was nothing short of a miracle worker.
That’s just how he operates, I suppose.
Later on, during follow-ups, he’d be scrolling through his phone while examining me. As a patient, I felt I couldn't complain, but the moment I opened my mouth to speak, he’d snap, "Only speak when I ask you a question." It was rude, plain and simple.
Still, the benefits he provided far outweighed his lack of manners. Eventually, once he got used to the routine of visits, I realized he was a decent person, just completely consumed by his work.

Hormonal imbalances aren't a pleasant thing for anyone. In men, we see an overproduction of testosterone, while women often deal with excess estrogen.
So, if someone claims their father and grandfather were both bald, does that mean they're destined for the same fate? I don't know the exact mechanism by which testosterone triggers hair loss, but it’s possible.
However, the reasoning behind why these hormones spike isn't quite right.
There's an observation that estrogen levels rise in women who aren't sexually active enough, suggesting illness stems from stagnant sexual energy.
Furthermore, you can't claim that people who avoid erotic provocation live longer or stay healthier than everyone else.

It is worth noting that the damage HPV causes in men is significantly greater, yet it doesn't get nearly as much attention as it does in women. We know this virus can advance toward the prostate, causing complications that are difficult to treat.

The surge of positive hormones and enzymes following good sex outweighs any subsequent negative changes. Besides, we’re all going to die of something eventually.

p.s. It would be wise for men with high testosterone levels to quit smoking.
A link has been noted between right-lung carcinoma and increased testosterone production. It might simply be a matter of certain genes being linked, where individuals carry both predispositions in one package.
God.

Melissa Morgan67 said:I'm checking back in with a question.

It’s mostly about deodorants. Which ones don't contain aluminum chlorohydrate? I read that Sebamed isn't actually very effective. I love Dove, but it contains aluminum, and I'm becoming increasingly worried about breast cancer.

Thanks for any potential answers.

Dear Duso,
If you're afraid, stop overthinking it and just stop using deodorant altogether.
Use a wet wipe instead, or occasionally wash with chamomile. Apply a subtle perfume with verified ingredients—you can even put it on your clothes—and leave the worries behind.

Kevin Garcia12 said:That is absolutely the truth, and I’m speaking from my own personal experience on more than a few occasions. It’s never been a case where people looked down on me just because I couldn't nail a diagnosis and had to refer them out. In fact, it’s actually quite the opposite—it usually works the other way around, where people end up respecting you even more once you've sent them to the right specialist through the most direct route possible...

Just as a side note, I walked into work the other day and they tell me those electrodes I've been waiting for since February finally showed up... 🙄

It looks like even the cats decided to give birth at the exact same moment the order was placed. 😂 We should probably just rename those electrodes: "Kitten Electrodes." 😁

Brandon Newman95 said:Look, I’ll just come out and admit it: I haven't stepped foot in a doctor's office in ten years. There, I said it. Let the judgment commence. Honestly, it was my own damn fault. I should have at least gone in once a year for basic blood work, but I skipped it. Now? Now I'm paying the price for that mistake, dealing with some neurotropic virus that basically dragged me through the ringer for a year and a half because I spent all my time bouncing from one specialist to another.
I'm with Angela Wright on this one. A good doctor really needs to be everything at once—partly your GP, partly your therapist, you know? I actually owe a huge thanks to my primary care doc and his nurse for keeping me sane.
And as for joining the European Union? Don't hold your breath. It's never going to happen. 😉

The GP and the nurse should be the ones explaining what the specialist intended. Primary care can handle referrals to therapists when needed.
And the disorganized state of psychiatric care? It's an absolute joke.
After my surgery, nobody bothered to explain what happened to me during those six hours. They didn't tell me I had suddenly lost all my hormonal support or what steps I needed to take next. My gynecologist should have been the one to say it. I don't even know what he looks like. I transferred my records to a new doctor because the last one was incompetent, and now I only deal with the nurse because the doctor is too busy.
So, here is where I am left. Physically, everything is fine. Mentally? It's a disaster. My libido is okay, but the person I was before the surgery simply doesn't exist anymore. No one warned me this could happen. Am I just a rarity?

The reality is there is zero psychiatric support for women after surgery, regardless of why they had the procedure. There is no support for pregnant women or new mothers either. Postpartum shock caused by the procedures, episiotomies, and massive hormonal shifts is ignored. People just shrug and tell you the wound healed. That's it.
Psychiatric support should be integrated into every medical field. People need help. Not every specialist can be a psychiatrist, but psychiatry must be a component of every specialty in healthcare. That is what we are missing.

Sarah Johnson11 said:I second everything that was said.

This is exactly how we are being treated on these forums. They would much rather lecture professionals than actually talk to us patients. And they aren't even afraid to be insulting. Look at what happened to jadesailor14. She shared her opinion—whatever that may have been—and she certainly didn't deserve the response she got.
I could write volumes on this, filled with nothing but ugly truths drawn from my own tears shed because of doctors who claim to be the best in America. But I won't. And frankly, I don't want to. Their attitude toward us patients can't be excused by blaming poor facility conditions or the systemic failures they face within this healthcare system. There is no excuse for how they treat people.
It’s pathetic, though undeniably true: the way patients are treated is abysmal. I already pointed this out, yet I haven't received a single response. I suppose that's because, in their eyes, our concerns simply don't matter. But it begs the question—who are we to them? Who are we, really?
Expecting my primary care physician to break down every detail of a diagnosis? I don't know. If I'm being treated by a specialist, isn't it their fundamental duty and obligation to explain the disease and the treatment plan in full? Isn't that what we pay them for?🤷 Perhaps I’m wrong?
I am fortunate to have a solid primary care physician at the moment, along with a team of specialists managing my care. I’m hopeful that the issues I’ve struggled with in the past won't resurface. But then again, who can truly say for sure?

What exactly do you think the role of a primary care physician entails? Is it merely a gatekeeper to specialists, or something more substantive?
The referral clearly stated what was required: a specialist should provide their expert opinion following the examination. It didn't ask for a sales pitch. Why does a doctor feel the need to perform a full presentation for the patient and their relatives, using simplified language just to make them feel comfortable? He doesn't have the time to stand there and lecture them. Isn't that the job of the primary care physician who wrote the referral in the first place?
That aside, there are doctors out there who genuinely want to go the extra mile—if they can actually find the time.
A general practitioner is still a doctor. Period. Their job is to understand medical procedures and interpret exactly what a specialist has written in their report. They aren't expected to diagnose rare diseases or perform high-level specialized testing themselves. But they absolutely must be able to present those test results and specialist findings clearly. Is that really too much to ask?
I was standing by in the pulmonology department when a specialist tried to comfort a patient who had completely misinterpreted the term "cardiac shadow." The man took it as some kind of pathological diagnosis rather than a standard medical observation. It was a lost cause; he was convinced the doctor was just lying to his face. While they wasted time on that misunderstanding, the specialist could have been reviewing five other scans from different patients. What a waste of resources.
Now someone will inevitably try to tell me that this matters more than those five scans. As if. It only matters to people sitting there staring at a TV screen or a computer monitor.

Furthermore, looking at all the posts above, there is only one set of actual suggestions:
Establishing better communication between doctors and patients. Is that even possible anymore?

Apparently, certain posts managed to ruffle some feathers.
Once again, the blame is being shifted onto those who actually provide healthcare rather than the people responsible for organizing it. We see it constantly. Instead of addressing systemic failures, the focus shifts to their communication style. Is that really where the problem lies?
If this is what passes for our healthcare system, then we’ll be boasting the best medical services in the world in no time. Is that really how this works?
All those heavy-handed threats and insults hurled at people who could have easily just sat back, read a book, and enjoyed the perks of their profession? It’s always the same. They continue to aim their vitriol in the wrong direction. Why is that?
If it weren't for Ms. Rusidovic barely managing to snag a few spots on local news, I wouldn't have the slightest clue what that patient association even does. Credit where credit is due, I suppose. But honestly, regarding that organization, I could have passed away without ever knowing they existed—if it hadn't been for one specific doctor who acted fast despite the "conditions" at the Medical Center during my surgery.
I still can't figure out who's actually in charge of issuing referrals for breast ultrasounds these days. Is anyone else just as lost as I am?
Once again, I am paying out of pocket for a private ultrasound of the fetal pelvis and other tests. Great.
While private gynecologists seem to be taking over almost every clinic in cities both large and small,
getting an appointment through public healthcare feels like you have to be on your deathbed just to get seen.
Does the patient association even bother monitoring pregnancy and women's health forums to see what people are actually worried about? Why do the same unresolved issues keep resurfacing constantly?

And here we are, where everyone concludes that poor communication is the root of all evil. Perhaps it is. I won't rule it out.

Jacob Fox6 said:Oh my God, where did you go with that one... 😵 😁

I wasn't talking about politics, I was actually referring to the entire medical profession across the globe agreeing on certain standards that some people might question, all while using the Hippocratic Oath as their guiding light...

Certain things happen that I find distasteful. I would be happiest if every single patient could receive top-tier care. Perhaps those days will come. Until then, the system must at least strive for basic functionality.

There are certain standards we would like to see—standards we have seen working effectively in other countries.

Why is it that in America, we constantly try to reinvent the wheel in every industry instead of simply looking at proven successes from abroad?

Her point about reagent shortages is accurate. No Secretary of Health is going to show up to explain why there are no reagents (because they’ll simply fly overseas for treatment). The issue is that the medical profession isn't even consulted when our famous legislators pass laws.
Today it is reagent shortages; tomorrow it could be organ transplants. Isn't there a greater risk of someone trying to play God in an unregulated field than in one that is thoroughly vetted and humanely, medically, and legally regulated?

Regarding that claim: I will never reach a point where I choose between lives, even if my own children were at stake. Let me tell you something: In my heart, my plea to God remains open—I would trade my life for my children's in an instant if they were ever threatened. That is why I went into a very demanding, difficult surgery without hesitation.
And I sat there, sick, waiting in hallways, enduring all those groups of people whom I don't resent. They are merely collateral damage of poor organization, not criminals for being ill.
Life, Jacob Fox, is a fight against windmills. I know this. I fight fiercely on the ground for the rights of certain animals, spending my time and resources. Instead of buying myself necessary medication, I am driving an animal to an emergency procedure because it’s lying near some shipping containers with a broken leg. Honestly, this life isn't even a grand heist.
Fortunately, it passes quickly.

jadesailor14 said:Is lacking basic humanity considered "immature"?
Because cutting off medical care and dignified support for our seniors and the critically ill—what exactly does that say about us?
Who gets to play judge and decide who deserves care and treatment?
Are some people just trying to play God to satisfy their own egos and interests?

And as for ideals dying out too fast... I don't think anyone qualified to judge that has ever actually lived by them.
Sure, some die out, but there are plenty of people out there who carry those values with them for their entire lives!

And who is actually talking about cutting off treatment and dignified care for the elderly and the critically ill?
The discussion is about acting responsibly toward these individuals, not shuttling them from one medical facility to another just to maintain the illusion that someone is being treated.
Would anyone who doesn't require emergency services allow themselves to occupy precious time that could be better used by their grandchild?
My grandmother passed away in my arms right after she was discharged because there was simply nothing more that could be done. Is it not better that she drew her last breath in my and my husband's arms, in her own home and her own bed, rather than somewhere surrounded by tubes and catheters with no family nearby?
We need to understand what the elderly and the sick actually want. They want to be recognized first and foremost as human beings with a right to their own opinions.
Exactly. And now, healthcare workers are supposed to be blamed because someone has to die. Well, we are all going to die eventually.
I would love to be lucky enough to die with dignity, without being drained by useless therapeutic procedures, and to have someone there who can sign the papers to let me go when the time comes.
I cannot stand fake altruism. We live in a society where even time itself can be bought with money, yet no one dares to point a finger where it truly belongs.
Instead, we point fingers at those who won't fight back.

Regarding my profession—God forbid—I am neither a doctor nor a nurse, and I doubt anyone close to me will be either. I chose something rooted in physics. In my field, "equals" always means "is."

jadesailor14 said:🙏
If there’s ever a petition for this, let me know!
I’ll sign it with my full name, Social Security number, and everything else you need!

There are some truly wonderful people working in our hospitals, but let's be honest, there’s also some absolute bottom-of-the-barrel behavior out there.
Unfortunately, just like in any other part of life, one terrible person can completely ruin the hard work of a hundred amazing ones.

I don't read every single post in detail because some of them honestly make my skin crawl!
ruggedscout91, what they were saying to you is basically nothing short of Nazism.
It's just pathetic.
The worst part is how hypocritical people are. They love acting like judges over who deserves decent care and treatment, but the second they find themselves in pain or needing help, they're the first ones fighting for their own lives—even though they wouldn't hesitate to leave someone else suffering in the dark.

What I am saying isn't meant to be entertaining; you have to understand why it was said.
When it was my turn, I barely survived. I became a victim of a negligent gynecologist who neglected a regularly monitored fibroid—one that was obviously well-paid for—until it ravaged everything in my pelvic region.
Aside from a CT scan, I didn't fight at all; I just wanted everyone to leave me alone. I saw how much the doctors and nurses actually do. My child will never study medicine, especially not to do things like this here.
What I write is rooted in pure reality. First, a person gets angry, but once they wake up and regain their senses, they realize the essence of the problem within the healthcare system. It is our everything. Personnel isn't the issue. They don't even have a voice within their own profession. Even Walmart would have more say in medical matters than they do.
Read carefully and state specifically what anyone finds objectionable.
They attacked Kate Collins67 upstairs, but they haven't actually written anything except rebukes about things they know are happening.

Psychiatric evaluations would be extremely necessary for the President of the United States, as well as for all the members of Congress and mayors who love to hear themselves talk. Some of them act in such a way that when outsiders look at them, they think they're looking at scenes from an asylum.
And almost every human being has one life interest where they demand something they feel is "right"—whether it's household order, religious moralizing ("we are righteous and others are not"—which isn't labeled Nazism but could be), landscaping, or various political doctrines. These are all different forms of Nazism.
If some sense of order and morality is used to ensure a person receives the right service at the right time—respecting at least the kind of order seen during wartime—then yes, I am a Nazi. I refuse to finance a system that effectively offers "reserve organs" on a silver platter to those who aren't conscious of their actions, like alcoholics, addicts, or promiscuous individuals, while that very organ could save the life of someone living responsibly and humanely.
At some point, the American healthcare system needs to establish exactly what is done where, and who issues which referrals and for what. There must be definitive waiting lists. Once there is order and transparency, the various forms of corruption and the unreasonable expectations of certain patient groups will have to face reality: that we are lagging behind the rest of the world because no government institution possesses the necessary authority to function properly.
It's as if we were in India.

Jacob Fox6 said:I couldn't agree more with everything said here.

It’s pretty obvious that our healthcare system is struggling partly because some people decide to play judge and jury instead of just doing their jobs...

An alcoholic is essentially someone suffering from a mental health condition who ended up destroying their liver as a result. To deny them help just because they damaged their own health through an untreated primary illness is just wrong. Any doctor who views an alcoholic as anything other than a mental health patient isn't really practicing medicine properly. You can excuse a random person on the street for not knowing the first thing about medicine, but you can't excuse a physician for labeling and stereotyping. The second they start doing that, they stop being a healer. Why should we accept physical ailments but marginalize, belittle, and label mental ones, effectively deciding someone doesn't have the right to live? That's why not everyone is cut out for this; medicine isn't just a career, it's a calling, and clearly, for some people, it's become just another paycheck...

The state of modern medicine is pretty grim, and nobody is disputing that... from the decent paychecks to the endless bureaucratic red tape, the constant arguing over everything, and the fact that some people work themselves to death while others just coast through their shifts... I get the frustration, I really do. But that’s no excuse to let your moral compass slide, because that's just a weakness of character, and that’s the last thing you want in a doctor...

A lot of doctors will tell you, "Man, I just take the path of least resistance to survive," but I don't buy that for a second... because there are plenty of doctors who stayed true to themselves despite impossible working conditions. I know a doctor who spends an hour and a half on the treadmill after her shift just to process all the stress... It's not some wild fantasy, either; doctors should be the first to know that physical exercise is one of the best ways to handle mental burnout, which science has been proving for years now...

If we don't implement proper triage and prioritize emergencies correctly, the inefficiency of the medical system will result in even the most easily treatable diseases deciding who lives and who dies.
Regarding psychiatric illnesses, what is the actual ratio between existing alcoholics and those receiving treatment, or between those seeking help and those left out? Doesn't an alcoholic who actually seeks treatment demonstrate a desire to improve, deserving a higher degree of care? Of course they do. That is what Jacob Fox6 is talking about.
Organs and health aren't items in a grocery store; you can't just go buy new ones when you run through your supply too quickly. That is a utopia.
Personally, I am glad you still have enthusiasm. I appreciate it, though that enthusiasm needs to be tempered with the reality that awaits you after medical school. Neither you nor I are to blame for this.
I am simply trying, in the absence of other options, to debunk certain misconceptions on this forum regarding the use of the system. People are unreasonably disappointed, yet when it comes to the ACTUAL SYSTEMIC FAILURES, no one wants to point a finger.
It is an expensive, inefficient system, paralyzed by the inertia of a political establishment that most doctors have integrated themselves into. The results are catastrophic. Because of politics, no one dares to wake the sleeping lion. Issues aren't resolved even at the primary care level, creating a domino effect that hits secondary and tertiary care, effectively turning specialized care into basic services and blurring the lines between all levels of medicine.
Courting a woman with flowers and chocolates while telling her she's beautiful, yet choosing to sleep with the neighbor instead—that is the essence of our healthcare system today. It is pure hypocrisy, and frankly, it suits certain people just fine. They enjoy the weekly hygiene maintenance, the ability to ease the guilty consciences of the patient's relatives, and the luxury of feeding the terminally ill false hope instead of offering honest hospice care and a dignified death. They prefer sending children from wealthy families to the front of transplant lists while leaving the kids of average citizens stuck on waiting lists twenty people deep. It’s a rigged game, and some people thrive in it.
The detergent label exists to show the difference between being responsible with your household groceries and being negligent with your health—like when there aren't enough spare parts for a defibrillator. Regarding the former, people claim, "We can influence this" (just tell the boss). Regarding the latter, they say, "There's nothing we can do."
WE COULD, if that doctor mentioned the chaos he caused, called the news, and announced that he's missing a defibrillator and someone might die tonight. Only then would something actually happen.
BUT IT WOULD ALSO MEAN he gets fired on the spot and blacklisted from ever working in the medical field in the USA again.
We have stumbled into the territory of a physician's constitutional rights versus their Hippocratic Oath, and whether they should face termination for simply following their conscience and their oath.
I hope you never find yourself in such a position.

Jacob Fox6 said:I don't have a utopian view, I have one that actually works in the real world...
You clearly aren't getting what I'm saying. You aren't reading my actual words, you're just reading whatever version of them you want to see in your head...

A patient like that would be turned away here too, and I know exactly where and when that's happened... A transplant is only given to someone who signs off saying they'll stop drinking (that's just a basic example). Most people do stop for a while, and then they slip back into it. An alcoholic is a sick person, not just in hepatology, but mentally too. Unless, of course, you want to start labeling all mental health patients. That applies to everyone. Everyone has a right to live. If a patient signs that agreement to get the transplant on the condition they stop drinking, then they get the transplant, period. Some people stay sober, some don't, and you have no way of knowing which is which. Doing anything else is basically murder, and in the West, you'd answer for that by losing your license, facing massive fines, or potentially going to prison. There's no dreaming here; the law is clear and fair because it respects the principle that everyone has an equal right to life, which is the truth in every sense. Anything else is just narrow-mindedness, inhumanity, and "animalistic behavior," and if I recall correctly, I think people these days are more like "homo sapiens sapines"...

I am not a doctor, nor would I choose to be if someone were paying me a massive salary to work here.
Regarding comments about that liver, I am not bound by any oath that serves as nothing more than a hypocritical barrier to honest relationships in healthcare.

That is why someone who continues to drink—even if there is a slight suspicion they will—shouldn't be given someone else's liver for a transplant.
Wouldn't that liver be better utilized for a child or a teenager who is sick but isn't an alcoholic? How long will this hypocritical approach to humanity last? Humanity isn't rewarded by how many units you clock in; it's measured by its utility and depth.

Or worse, a patient presents with cancer, and in the end, the real issue is whether they can die with dignity.
Where are the hospice centers in America? There aren't any. Does anyone have the right to choose to forgo chemotherapy and radiation—to die on their own terms? No. That is the conversation we should be having.

Until people learn to point to the actual source of failure in the healthcare system, they will continue to generalize. The goal should be to point at what MUST change to prevent systemic gridlock, to ensure we get the most out of our investments, and to focus on reality rather than hypocrisy.

No profession is granted divine status, including healthcare. People shouldn't view health as a right to be exploited while treating the obligation to maintain health as something to be ignored. Imagine if rules were implemented where those who take care of their health paid lower Medicare premiums; many would become far more careful.
In reality, it is much more important to criticize a manager at Walmart for failing to order the right detergent than to attack someone for not having spare parts for a defibrillator.

Personally, I am more interested in the internal dynamics within the healthcare system itself.
For instance, consider the moment a patient is admitted and begins receiving care. If we meet the criteria I previously outlined regarding systemic profitability, health preservation, and triage—where we evaluate treatment efficiency through a lens of actual patient benefit rather than just catering to their relatives

that relationship should be NEARLY FLAWLESS. Once those standards are met, the interaction with the patient—from the moment they walk through the hospital doors until their discharge—should reflect a true standard of service. This applies to both the material and the human element.
Only then does it make sense to worry about lawsuits or demanding repressive measures to ensure a patient is treated with respect from start to finish.

Look at it this way: you cannot claim to be a good mother playing with your toddler if you haven't first provided food, hygiene products, and all the basic necessities for that child.
The definition of a "good mother" is complicated. It isn't just about saying, "I love my baby." You have to love the baby when they are messy, when they are sick, or when they are being difficult. There are mandatory responsibilities and there are extras in life. The mandatory requirements must come first; everything else I mentioned is secondary.

Kate Collins67 said:Ugh, this overhyped Hippocrates guy... I honestly can't stand him.
You can't just call someone else's stance "incorrect" when we're talking about an opinion rather than hard facts.
Unless you're actually out there on the front lines—I mean, working in an ER or a high-pressure trauma center at a major hospital—you don't really have any professional experience to back up these claims. You're basically stuck in the "semi-amateur" category because, while you might be studying medicine, right now it's all just theory to you.

I learned plenty about patients while working in pulmonology. Believe me, it wasn't rare to see families leave a long-term asthmatic patient—someone who wasn't even close to having an attack—sitting in a hospital hallway just so they could head off on vacation or a weekend getaway.
Naturally, the patient would be cared for, and the family would return days later without offering a single word of apology.
They turn hospitals into glorified nursing homes because, frankly, our country lacks sufficient specialized facilities for the elderly, though we desperately need them.

Furthermore, I know many elderly people who are swimming in cash, living in mansions, yet their lifetime contribution to the healthcare system has been zero. They exploit the system constantly: diabetes this, hip surgery that, bile duct procedures, endless scans, constant hospital visits.
There was one woman who lived in such filth at home, yet every twenty days she would show up at the pulmonology clinic just to bathe, eat, socialize, and stay for a bit, only to disappear for a month before repeating the cycle.
In the end, she leaves her entire estate to relatives who couldn't care less about how she lived. And what does the healthcare system get? Barely anything compared to what she would have spent on a bus fare.
But fine, let the social safety net handle it. We are a wealthy nation, so we will pretend everything functions perfectly on paper while maintaining a veneer of class in our private lives. That is, until someone’s life is lost because of poorly maintained equipment due to massive costs, or because there isn't a surgeon available—since nobody wants to spend their whole life studying and trembling under surgical lights in a country where every reality TV circus act earns more than a doctor, or even a highly paid commercial sponsor.

Jacob Fox6 said:My God, I honestly can't wrap my head around how anyone—including you—could actually think like that...

What you just said goes completely against the Hippocratic Oath, the entire foundation of medicine, and basic human decency. And let me tell you, I'm not even speaking as a layperson here...

There are always specific criteria used for selection in every medical situation. Like... if you're waiting on a bone marrow transplant, nobody is asking if you're a smoker or not, you just get the transplant. The right to life isn't some individual choice made based on someone's personal opinion, and honestly, thank God you aren't the one making those calls, because you'd clearly just be treating teenagers while personally organizing funerals or tossing everyone else into the first available grave... it's just shameful. Everyone gets treated without exception, and then doctors step in more aggressively depending on how urgent the situation is...

You missed the point. There is no need for extremes here.
The right to live primarily rests on the individual's choice to protect their health if they want longevity.
All over the world, transplants go to those in greatest need, and those who participate in the healthcare system do so according to their own choices—specifically regarding how much they save through healthy living. Meanwhile, insurance premiums everywhere are skyrocketing alongside rates of alcoholism, smoking, and all forms of drug addiction. Consequently, those people contribute more to the system, so they can then utilize it when they eventually need it.
Hippocrates intended for conditions to be equal for everyone, not favoring one at the expense of another.
It is obvious, for example, that a sex worker will face higher rates of gynecological issues. It is perfectly logical that the system spends more on her care, so it is only fair that she contributes more to that system. This applies to any other lifestyle choices that cause self-inflicted damage.

It is high time Americans sobered up.
Because of issues like this, the lines at the OB-GYN clinic were so long that I could barely get my surgery scheduled the first time I needed something from the system, despite being a constant contributor to it. And it wasn't even related to a communicable disease. I nearly didn't make it out alive.