State of the healthcare system in America: Let's discuss why it's failing

Kyle Lee7 Asks:
Here is my definitive ranking:
Regarding Milinović and the whole IVF situation—it’s a complicated mess, I suppose. There’s a lot to unpack there, especially when you consider how much policy shifts can impact something as personal as fertility treatments. It feels like one of those issues where the bureaucracy moves much slower than the actual needs of the people involved. Maybe it's just my take, but the intersection of government oversight and medical advancement always seems to create this strange, awkward friction.
So, I suppose we’re back to the topic of Milinović and this whole business regarding the merger of hospitals—as if we haven't heard enough about it already. It feels like one of those bureaucratic maneuvers that sounds perfectly logical on a spreadsheet in some high-rise office, yet leaves everyone else wondering how exactly it's supposed to work in practice. I guess there's a certain level of administrative efficiency they're chasing, though, in my opinion, it often feels more like a way to consolidate power than to actually improve patient care. Maybe it will streamline things, maybe it won't—it's hard to say given how these large-scale reorganizations usually play out in the US healthcare system. But then again, that's the nature of dealing with the Department of Health and Human Services, isn't it? Everything is always moving, shifting, and merging, while the actual people on the ground are just left trying to figure out where their appointments went.
Regarding Milinović and Vuk Vrhovec—it’s an interesting dynamic to observe, I suppose. There is a certain way they operate that warrants a bit more scrutiny than most people seem willing to give. It isn't just about their individual roles, but how they seem to navigate the complexities of the current administration—though, one might argue, whether they are actually navigating it or simply being carried along by it remains a point of debate. I guess you could say there's a distinct lack of transparency in how they coordinate, which, given the circumstances, shouldn't really come as a surprise to anyone paying close attention. Maybe it's just my cynical view, but it feels like a carefully choreographed dance designed to keep the status quo intact while avoiding any real accountability.
I need number 4. control Specialist (as a chronic patient)— The standard procedure—if you want to follow the manual—is to start with your primary care physician to get the referral, then handle the scheduling, followed by the actual exam, and finally, circling back to the doctor once the results are in. General practitioners handing out prescriptions and referrals for specialist follow-ups—I mean, seriously, why? It’s almost as if they assume I can't just go to the specialist for my very first appointment and then have them handle all the subsequent orders for whatever *they* decide I need. It seems like an unnecessary extra step, doesn't it?
5. scenario where things just sort of... unfold. It seems like they’re just handing out prescriptions by the pound at the outpatient clinics these days—as if medication were some kind of bulk commodity you'd pick up at a wholesale club. I guess we've reached a point where the sheer volume being written is almost absurd.It’s a question of what should be covered and what shouldn't—especially when you consider the reality that people suffering from chronic or severe illnesses are left constantly fearing whether their expensive medication will actually be approved. I mean, why can't people just pay out of pocket for their own nasal sprays or a simple course of antibiotics (which, let's face it, are overprescribed anyway)? It seems like a massive oversight to have some people worrying about minor things while others are genuinely terrified for their very lives.
6. It seems we have encountered a particular breed of gynecologists—those who don't see any reason to bother sending women in for routine swabs. I suppose, from their perspective, if there isn't an immediate, screaming symptom, why go through the trouble? It’s a rather dismissive approach, if you ask me. They seem to operate under the assumption that if everything looks fine on the surface, there's no need for deeper investigation—which, frankly, feels like a bit of a gamble when it comes to preventative care. It’s almost as if they believe skipping these basic screenings won't make a difference in the long run, though medical consensus would suggest otherwise. Perhaps they just prefer the path of least resistance.It isn't just about that one specific screening test—it’s more than that. At least once.It’s not just about the period before pregnancy, either.
If I’m on a long-term treatment plan—meaning I need the exact same prescription and the exact same referral sent over every single month—how does that actually work? I can’t help but wonder why I’m forced to trek down to my primary care physician every single month just to sit there and wait for two hours—as if they couldn't simply issue a standing prescription or some sort of semi-permanent order. It seems like an incredibly inefficient way to manage healthcare, though I suppose that's just how things work sometimes.
8. The sheer audacity of it all—honestly, I’m almost impressed by the nerve required to pull that off. It’s one thing to be wrong, but to be aggressively, unapologetically incorrect? That takes a special kind of confidence. I suppose some people just wake up and decide that basic etiquette is optional. The sheer laziness exhibited by certain segments of the medical staff—it’s becoming hard to ignore. I suppose one could argue that burnout is a factor, but there comes a point where "exhaustion" starts looking more like a blatant lack of professional initiative. It’s a frustrating reality to witness. Nurses—it’s a profession that deserves a much more nuanced discussion than what we usually get in the media. I suppose, if one were to look at it objectively, the role is far more complex than just "helping doctors." It’s a massive, multifaceted pillar of the American healthcare system, though people rarely seem to grasp the sheer weight of the responsibility involved. I mean, you have the frontline staff at places like the Mayo Clinic dealing with life-or-death decisions every single shift, while others are managing the bureaucratic labyrinth of Medicare. It isn't just about administering medication—though, given how many protocols there are now, that alone is a logistical nightmare—it's about being the primary observer of a patient's decline or recovery. They are the ones who actually notice when a patient's vitals start trending in the wrong direction before the monitors even catch up. Then again, maybe I’m being too idealistic. There is also the burnout factor—which, let’s be honest, is rampant across the country right now—and the systemic pressures from the Department of Health and Human Services that leave many feeling like they're just cogs in a very large, very expensive machine. It’s a delicate balance between clinical expertise and emotional endurance, and I guess most people only see the surface level of that struggle. It’s honestly laughable—you walk up to the service counters and there’s already a massive line snaking out toward the entrance, all because they only have one person actually working the desk. Meanwhile, the other two employees are apparently too busy selling trash bags to handle a single customer. It’s just ridiculous.
9. The current standard of hygiene—not to mention the general quality of what we’re actually putting into our bodies—is, frankly, a bit questionable. I suppose one could argue that standards have shifted, but if you look closely at the data, there's a noticeable decline. It feels like we've traded nutritional density for convenience, and in the process, lost a significant amount of oversight regarding sanitary protocols. I mean, maybe I'm being overly cynical, but when you consider the sheer volume of processed goods hitting the shelves, it makes you wonder just how much care is actually being taken behind the scenes. It's all quite a mess, really. The state of the facilities in these hospitals is honestly appalling—we're talking filthy, foul-smelling restrooms and cafeteria food that’s essentially unidentifiable mush. It’s completely inadequate for anything, let alone providing the kind of targeted nutrition that actual patients need to recover.

I find myself in complete agreement with all of this—though I’d like to zoom in specifically on those last two points. In my view, they are areas where we absolutely can, and frankly *must*, take action. To illustrate my point, I’ll touch on a few things regarding my neck of the woods—St. Louis.

1. Surface-level thinking and a total lack of interest in actually fixing anything—it’s becoming quite a pattern, isn't it? There seems to be this pervasive sense of apathy toward resolving core issues; instead, we get this shallow, performative approach that barely scratches the surface. It’s almost as if the goal isn't to find a solution, but merely to manage the appearance of having tried. I guess we shouldn't be surprised, given how often we see this kind of half-hearted effort from those in charge, but it remains incredibly frustrating. Maybe if people actually cared about the underlying mechanics of these problems—rather than just treating the symptoms—we wouldn't be stuck in this endless loop of mediocrity. We are all painfully aware of the reality that doctors are absolutely overwhelmed with patients—so much so that you often find yourself walking out of the exam room almost as quickly as you walked in. We’ve essentially been reduced to mere numbers on a conveyor belt. The idea of actually being able to ask questions and receive high-quality, satisfying answers is becoming a rare luxury, particularly when dealing with most specialists. Some practitioners don't even bother making eye contact; they just mutter under their breath, tossing out the shortest possible sentences just to get you out the door. Others seem content to offer nothing more than a vague, educated guess. I’ve personally experienced—both with myself and within my own family—how rushed, superficial examinations can lead to incorrect diagnoses that were nearly fatal. This happens precisely because the doctor is glancing at a single lymph node for maybe sixty seconds before deciding, "Well, if you want surgery in four months, we can do that, since it's just a simple adenoma," without any real investigation into whether it might actually be something malignant. It's all happening because there are seventy-eight other people waiting in the hallway for their turn.

2. The sheer audacity of it all—honestly, I’m almost impressed by the nerve required to pull that off. It’s one thing to be misguided, but to be this brazenly disrespectful? That’s a whole different level of entitlement, I suppose. Maybe some people just wake up and decide that basic decency is optional, though I can't say I find it particularly charming. When I think about this, my mind goes straight to the nursing staff at the hospital first—everyone else follows. I’m not trying to generalize here, but let’s be honest: you encounter all kinds, including some truly frustrated, high-strung types. I realize they see just about everything in that environment, but at the end of the day, they chose this profession. I know, I know—the working conditions aren't exactly a dream, but it's not like they need to be the center of the universe. I have met some lovely nurses, truly, but then there is the treatment of patients. It’s the way they deliver food—literally tossing a bowl of soup at you so it spills everywhere while you’re stuck in bed unable to move—it leaves you wondering how anyone could function like that. Then there’s the issue of leaving wet, soiled linens untouched for hours, sometimes even days; throwing clothes and slippers around; snapping at people over the smallest trivialities; and, frankly, bullying the elderly and the infirm. There are times when you beg for help and they simply won't come, leaving your fellow "roommates"—who are just as sick as you are—to step in and assist instead. And don't even get me started on the contradictory "orders"—one nurse tells you one thing, another says something completely different, and then the doctor comes along and says something else entirely. I remember being absolutely appalled by the staff in the ICU once. They had the window to the balcony open, and there they were, standing right by it, puffing away on cigarette after cigarette, while patients were actually bringing them chocolate as gifts. It was surreal. No matter which medical spa or facility a patient visits, everyone acts shocked when they see what the patients look like, yet they give zero credit to the actual people suffering.

3. (un)hygiene — honestly, the hospital is probably the absolute best place to pick up infections, especially for new mothers. Given how our healthcare system operates, and since gynecologists seem to think a Pap smear is somehow the Alpha and Omega—instead of actually sending patients for proper swabs—things frequently get passed around, complications arise, and so on. To make matters worse, I’ve personally witnessed a situation in a OB/GYN office where the sanitary paper on the exam table wasn't even changed; they’d just leave it for every 5 or 6 patients until it literally started falling apart or someone finally noticed and demanded a change. The prevailing philosophy seems to be "APP"—as in, "if it works, it works"—because apparently, we have to cut costs everywhere. You can literally see imprints on the paper. Here’s a fresh one for you: a guy went in for a minor procedure on his penis, ran into a staff member in charge of shaving with a razor, and the guy says to him, "Oh, since you're already here, I'll go ahead and grab a fresh razor for you." Is there anything else I need to say about that? And don't even get me started on the bathrooms. That’s a whole other saga. Maintenance and cleaning? Zero. Your entire day is derailed just because you have to use the restroom.

4. Food — look, I’m not expecting a gourmet spread or a multi-course meal served with French precision, but you cannot serve patients this kind of garbage. Instead of providing actual energy or vitamins, it just leaves you starving and feeling empty. Honestly, if you weigh under 100 pounds, there's no point in even checking into a hospital. We're talking soup that is essentially just murky, foul-smelling water (boiled in massive vats with a few bones) with three tiny, barely visible bits of pepper floating in it. Apple compote that is really just water with a faint hint of apple. Meat that is tougher than a work boot—I try to imagine the people who don't even have their own teeth left trying to eat it—instant mashed potatoes from a packet, and salad that was probably made ages ago. They are cutting corners everywhere, while I suspect the good stuff gets sent home, since it's perfectly normal nowadays for people to cook a full meal at home and bring it to their loved ones in the hospital.

I'm referring specifically to the local VA hospital, where some older folks might remember how things used to be at the old Veterans Hospital (which is now the Mayo Clinic). Of course, it varies by department and facility—this doesn't apply to pediatric wards, for instance—but back at the old VA, the food was actually decent and incomparable to today's "service." Some might say I’m dissatisfied with every little detail... well, yes, I am. That's what happens when you get burned multiple times in all the wrong places, and health is, after all, the most important thing in the world! Am I satisfied overall? NO, not even slightly!
We'll just have to wait and see how this new electronic health record system functions. Given our wonderful domestic conditions, I don't have a great feeling about it.

As for gynecologists, I’ve already repeated myself enough times on a related subforum, so I don't wish to waste another word on them.

Maria Gomez4 Asks:

That already exists! If you smoke, drink, or carry too much extra weight, you’re going to pay more for your health insurance. Of course, that isn't how things work here in America.
I’m not sure that’s really the right way to look at it. To me, that lady who loves mushrooms is just a reminder that in America, we actually do some incredibly advanced, high-level work that costs a fortune. In her case, her life was saved, and nobody blinked at the price tag. She received the kind of care you'd only find in a handful of places on this planet.

Anyway... since we've already started wading into all this ethical territory: here's one for you.
It’s the same hospital; a young woman attempted suicide and took a pill that completely wrecked her liver. Since she didn't die instantly—meaning they actually managed to start life-saving measures in time—they decided to go ahead with a liver transplant. For that kind of poisoning, it’s the only way to fix it, and it's a total emergency procedure.
No... did that 17-year-old—I think that was her age—actually deserve a life-saving organ? She attempted suicide, after all. Because of her, someone else didn't get that organ.

Look, if we're going by that logic, half the population shouldn't even have health insurance unless they're willing to pay through the nose for it. I mean, come on. Some people are just plain stupid.

And what about the hypochondriacs? Honestly, it drives me insane when I realize someone is just a total hypochondriac—getting every single damn test and specialist referral handed to them on a silver platter, only for it to turn out that absolutely everything is perfectly fine.

I know that stuff already exists overseas, and honestly, I’m fine with that. If you’re making a conscious choice to do something you know is going to wreck your health, then go ahead—just be prepared to pay a higher premium on your State Farm policy.

Maria Gomez4 said:I suppose you might be surprised by just how much your doctor actually knows; perhaps you should try asking her.

I asked her, and honestly, there are things she just doesn't get. I’ve gone through this mountain of immunological data myself, and while she has a vague idea of what's going on, if you actually sat her down and asked, "Hey, what does this elevated antibody level actually mean?" she wouldn't have a clue. But look, I get it. That's exactly why specialists exist. You go to the expert when you need someone to actually break down the details.

My immunologist looked at my labs—considering everything I’ve had removed and all those elevated markers they explained to me—and pointed out just one thing that was seriously high: the ANF. As for the rest of the antibodies? Honestly, I didn't have a clue what any of them actually did until I started doing some digging online. There are still several on my list where I don't have the slightest idea what they even mean.

Samuel Morgan40 said:

Kyle Lee7 Asks:
Here is my definitive ranking:
Regarding Milinović and the whole IVF situation—it’s a complicated mess, I suppose. There’s a lot to unpack there, especially when you consider how much policy shifts can impact something as personal as fertility treatments. It feels like one of those issues where the bureaucracy moves much slower than the actual needs of the people involved. Maybe it's just my take, but the intersection of government oversight and medical advancement always seems to create this strange, awkward friction.
So, I suppose we’re back to the topic of Milinović and this whole business regarding the merger of hospitals—as if we haven't heard enough about it already. It feels like one of those bureaucratic maneuvers that sounds perfectly logical on a spreadsheet in some high-rise office, yet leaves everyone else wondering how exactly it's supposed to work in practice. I guess there's a certain level of administrative efficiency they're chasing, though, in my opinion, it often feels more like a way to consolidate power than to actually improve patient care. Maybe it will streamline things, maybe it won't—it's hard to say given how these large-scale reorganizations usually play out in the US healthcare system. But then again, that's the nature of dealing with the Department of Health and Human Services, isn't it? Everything is always moving, shifting, and merging, while the actual people on the ground are just left trying to figure out where their appointments went.
Regarding Milinović and Vuk Vrhovec—it’s an interesting dynamic to observe, I suppose. There is a certain way they operate that warrants a bit more scrutiny than most people seem willing to give. It isn't just about their individual roles, but how they seem to navigate the complexities of the current administration—though, one might argue, whether they are actually navigating it or simply being carried along by it remains a point of debate. I guess you could say there's a distinct lack of transparency in how they coordinate, which, given the circumstances, shouldn't really come as a surprise to anyone paying close attention. Maybe it's just my cynical view, but it feels like a carefully choreographed dance designed to keep the status quo intact while avoiding any real accountability.
I need number 4. control Specialist (as a chronic patient)— The standard procedure—if you want to follow the manual—is to start with your primary care physician to get the referral, then handle the scheduling, followed by the actual exam, and finally, circling back to the doctor once the results are in. General practitioners handing out prescriptions and referrals for specialist follow-ups—I mean, seriously, why? It’s almost as if they assume I can't just go to the specialist for my very first appointment and then have them handle all the subsequent orders for whatever *they* decide I need. It seems like an unnecessary extra step, doesn't it?
5. scenario where things just sort of... unfold. It seems like they’re just handing out prescriptions by the pound at the outpatient clinics these days—as if medication were some kind of bulk commodity you'd pick up at a wholesale club. I guess we've reached a point where the sheer volume being written is almost absurd.It’s a question of what should be covered and what shouldn't—especially when you consider the reality that people suffering from chronic or severe illnesses are left constantly fearing whether their expensive medication will actually be approved. I mean, why can't people just pay out of pocket for their own nasal sprays or a simple course of antibiotics (which, let's face it, are overprescribed anyway)? It seems like a massive oversight to have some people worrying about minor things while others are genuinely terrified for their very lives.
6. It seems we have encountered a particular breed of gynecologists—those who don't see any reason to bother sending women in for routine swabs. I suppose, from their perspective, if there isn't an immediate, screaming symptom, why go through the trouble? It’s a rather dismissive approach, if you ask me. They seem to operate under the assumption that if everything looks fine on the surface, there's no need for deeper investigation—which, frankly, feels like a bit of a gamble when it comes to preventative care. It’s almost as if they believe skipping these basic screenings won't make a difference in the long run, though medical consensus would suggest otherwise. Perhaps they just prefer the path of least resistance.It isn't just about that one specific screening test—it’s more than that. At least once.It’s not just about the period before pregnancy, either.
If I’m on a long-term treatment plan—meaning I need the exact same prescription and the exact same referral sent over every single month—how does that actually work? I can’t help but wonder why I’m forced to trek down to my primary care physician every single month just to sit there and wait for two hours—as if they couldn't simply issue a standing prescription or some sort of semi-permanent order. It seems like an incredibly inefficient way to manage healthcare, though I suppose that's just how things work sometimes.
8. The sheer audacity of it all—honestly, I’m almost impressed by the nerve required to pull that off. It’s one thing to be wrong, but to be aggressively, unapologetically incorrect? That takes a special kind of confidence. I suppose some people just wake up and decide that basic etiquette is optional. The sheer laziness exhibited by certain segments of the medical staff—it’s becoming hard to ignore. I suppose one could argue that burnout is a factor, but there comes a point where "exhaustion" starts looking more like a blatant lack of professional initiative. It’s a frustrating reality to witness. Nurses—it’s a profession that deserves a much more nuanced discussion than what we usually get in the media. I suppose, if one were to look at it objectively, the role is far more complex than just "helping doctors." It’s a massive, multifaceted pillar of the American healthcare system, though people rarely seem to grasp the sheer weight of the responsibility involved. I mean, you have the frontline staff at places like the Mayo Clinic dealing with life-or-death decisions every single shift, while others are managing the bureaucratic labyrinth of Medicare. It isn't just about administering medication—though, given how many protocols there are now, that alone is a logistical nightmare—it's about being the primary observer of a patient's decline or recovery. They are the ones who actually notice when a patient's vitals start trending in the wrong direction before the monitors even catch up. Then again, maybe I’m being too idealistic. There is also the burnout factor—which, let’s be honest, is rampant across the country right now—and the systemic pressures from the Department of Health and Human Services that leave many feeling like they're just cogs in a very large, very expensive machine. It’s a delicate balance between clinical expertise and emotional endurance, and I guess most people only see the surface level of that struggle. It’s honestly laughable—you walk up to the service counters and there’s already a massive line snaking out toward the entrance, all because they only have one person actually working the desk. Meanwhile, the other two employees are apparently too busy selling trash bags to handle a single customer. It’s just ridiculous.
9. The current standard of hygiene—not to mention the general quality of what we’re actually putting into our bodies—is, frankly, a bit questionable. I suppose one could argue that standards have shifted, but if you look closely at the data, there's a noticeable decline. It feels like we've traded nutritional density for convenience, and in the process, lost a significant amount of oversight regarding sanitary protocols. I mean, maybe I'm being overly cynical, but when you consider the sheer volume of processed goods hitting the shelves, it makes you wonder just how much care is actually being taken behind the scenes. It's all quite a mess, really. The state of the facilities in these hospitals is honestly appalling—we're talking filthy, foul-smelling restrooms and cafeteria food that’s essentially unidentifiable mush. It’s completely inadequate for anything, let alone providing the kind of targeted nutrition that actual patients need to recover.

I find myself in complete agreement with all of this—though I’d like to zoom in specifically on those last two points. In my view, they are areas where we absolutely can, and frankly *must*, take action. To illustrate my point, I’ll touch on a few things regarding my neck of the woods—St. Louis.

1. Surface-level thinking and a total lack of interest in actually fixing anything—it’s becoming quite a pattern, isn't it? There seems to be this pervasive sense of apathy toward resolving core issues; instead, we get this shallow, performative approach that barely scratches the surface. It’s almost as if the goal isn't to find a solution, but merely to manage the appearance of having tried. I guess we shouldn't be surprised, given how often we see this kind of half-hearted effort from those in charge, but it remains incredibly frustrating. Maybe if people actually cared about the underlying mechanics of these problems—rather than just treating the symptoms—we wouldn't be stuck in this endless loop of mediocrity. We are all painfully aware of the reality that doctors are absolutely overwhelmed with patients—so much so that you often find yourself walking out of the exam room almost as quickly as you walked in. We’ve essentially been reduced to mere numbers on a conveyor belt. The idea of actually being able to ask questions and receive high-quality, satisfying answers is becoming a rare luxury, particularly when dealing with most specialists. Some practitioners don't even bother making eye contact; they just mutter under their breath, tossing out the shortest possible sentences just to get you out the door. Others seem content to offer nothing more than a vague, educated guess. I’ve personally experienced—both with myself and within my own family—how rushed, superficial examinations can lead to incorrect diagnoses that were nearly fatal. This happens precisely because the doctor is glancing at a single lymph node for maybe sixty seconds before deciding, "Well, if you want surgery in four months, we can do that, since it's just a simple adenoma," without any real investigation into whether it might actually be something malignant. It's all happening because there are seventy-eight other people waiting in the hallway for their turn.

2. The sheer audacity of it all—honestly, I’m almost impressed by the nerve required to pull that off. It’s one thing to be misguided, but to be this brazenly disrespectful? That’s a whole different level of entitlement, I suppose. Maybe some people just wake up and decide that basic decency is optional, though I can't say I find it particularly charming. When I think about this, my mind goes straight to the nursing staff at the hospital first—everyone else follows. I’m not trying to generalize here, but let’s be honest: you encounter all kinds, including some truly frustrated, high-strung types. I realize they see just about everything in that environment, but at the end of the day, they chose this profession. I know, I know—the working conditions aren't exactly a dream, but it's not like they need to be the center of the universe. I have met some lovely nurses, truly, but then there is the treatment of patients. It’s the way they deliver food—literally tossing a bowl of soup at you so it spills everywhere while you’re stuck in bed unable to move—it leaves you wondering how anyone could function like that. Then there’s the issue of leaving wet, soiled linens untouched for hours, sometimes even days; throwing clothes and slippers around; snapping at people over the smallest trivialities; and, frankly, bullying the elderly and the infirm. There are times when you beg for help and they simply won't come, leaving your fellow "roommates"—who are just as sick as you are—to step in and assist instead. And don't even get me started on the contradictory "orders"—one nurse tells you one thing, another says something completely different, and then the doctor comes along and says something else entirely. I remember being absolutely appalled by the staff in the ICU once. They had the window to the balcony open, and there they were, standing right by it, puffing away on cigarette after cigarette, while patients were actually bringing them chocolate as gifts. It was surreal. No matter which medical spa or facility a patient visits, everyone acts shocked when they see what the patients look like, yet they give zero credit to the actual people suffering.

3. (un)hygiene — honestly, the hospital is probably the absolute best place to pick up infections, especially for new mothers. Given how our healthcare system operates, and since gynecologists seem to think a Pap smear is somehow the Alpha and Omega—instead of actually sending patients for proper swabs—things frequently get passed around, complications arise, and so on. To make matters worse, I’ve personally witnessed a situation in a OB/GYN office where the sanitary paper on the exam table wasn't even changed; they’d just leave it for every 5 or 6 patients until it literally started falling apart or someone finally noticed and demanded a change. The prevailing philosophy seems to be "APP"—as in, "if it works, it works"—because apparently, we have to cut costs everywhere. You can literally see imprints on the paper. Here’s a fresh one for you: a guy went in for a minor procedure on his penis, ran into a staff member in charge of shaving with a razor, and the guy says to him, "Oh, since you're already here, I'll go ahead and grab a fresh razor for you." Is there anything else I need to say about that? And don't even get me started on the bathrooms. That’s a whole other saga. Maintenance and cleaning? Zero. Your entire day is derailed just because you have to use the restroom.

4. Food — look, I’m not expecting a gourmet spread or a multi-course meal served with French precision, but you cannot serve patients this kind of garbage. Instead of providing actual energy or vitamins, it just leaves you starving and feeling empty. Honestly, if you weigh under 100 pounds, there's no point in even checking into a hospital. We're talking soup that is essentially just murky, foul-smelling water (boiled in massive vats with a few bones) with three tiny, barely visible bits of pepper floating in it. Apple compote that is really just water with a faint hint of apple. Meat that is tougher than a work boot—I try to imagine the people who don't even have their own teeth left trying to eat it—instant mashed potatoes from a packet, and salad that was probably made ages ago. They are cutting corners everywhere, while I suspect the good stuff gets sent home, since it's perfectly normal nowadays for people to cook a full meal at home and bring it to their loved ones in the hospital.

I'm referring specifically to the local VA hospital, where some older folks might remember how things used to be at the old Veterans Hospital (which is now the Mayo Clinic). Of course, it varies by department and facility—this doesn't apply to pediatric wards, for instance—but back at the old VA, the food was actually decent and incomparable to today's "service." Some might say I’m dissatisfied with every little detail... well, yes, I am. That's what happens when you get burned multiple times in all the wrong places, and health is, after all, the most important thing in the world! Am I satisfied overall? NO, not even slightly!
We'll just have to wait and see how this new electronic health record system functions. Given our wonderful domestic conditions, I don't have a great feeling about it.

As for gynecologists, I’ve already repeated myself enough times on a related subforum, so I don't wish to waste another word on them.

My mind immediately goes to the administrative staff. The attitude those women have is just unbelievable. I’ve always been polite and decent; honestly, I’ve never walked into a place and snapped at someone just because I was having a bad day. It’s beyond me how someone can be that rude for absolutely no reason. You show up and ask a simple, standard question—which is literally what those people behind the desk are there for—and they practically tell you to get lost.

Like, sorry, I feel bad that you're having a rough day, or that you're stressed out, or that your job sucks... but I don't care. If I come in asking something nicely, I expect a nice response back. If I were being rude and someone snapped at me like that, I wouldn't say a word, but this kind of behavior is just incomprehensible to me.

One of these days, I am seriously going to lose it on that woman at the front desk. Either I'll snap, or I'll go straight to her supervisor and make a massive scene. You can have one bad day, but it can't be every single day. She is constantly rude, but last time, she almost sent me flying when I asked if she knew where a certain doctor was; she just slammed her little glass window shut in my face.

And besides, we have this centralized scheduling system at the hospital that's supposed to work by letting you call in to book an appointment. Do I really have to mention that those people act like they can't even pick up a phone? Or they just hang up because the line is "busy," forcing you to drive all the way down to the hospital just to schedule something. I can't wait for the online booking and email system to actually start working so I never have to deal with these people who refuse to do their jobs again.

I have to admit, regarding the medical staff itself, I haven't had any negative experiences yet, at least in terms of kindness. My only gripe so far is with the specialists; they don't seem to have the time to explain things properly before rushing you out the door. But then again, they aren't the ones to blame—it's the system.

Samuel Morgan40 said:Topic: "How satisfied are you with the healthcare system?"
You should feel free to start a separate thread about that specific clinic; in fact, we don't even have one yet, and I suspect it would be quite useful for swapping stories.😉

That sounds wonderful, thank you. I'll certainly do that. 🙂
(I was worried I might have missed an existing thread somewhere and didn't want to end up getting 'reprimanded' for repeating it 😉)

Maria Gomez4 said:Hey, Josey, how on earth are you so deeply informed about that lady’s transplant case?
I happen to be quite well-acquainted with the details myself, though I’ve hesitated to speak up due to certain ethical considerations. In any case, she was technically "my patient" during my clinical rotations.

It serves as a perfect example of how someone foolish—and perhaps a bit unhinged—can waste millions of taxpayer dollars while everyone else just stands around acting clueless.

Well, they actually did implement it! A portion of the excise tax on tobacco products goes straight to Medicare, but... you know... just imagine if they actually wanted to maintain a strict and honest system, the price of a pack of cigarettes would be close to $33... which doesn't bother me at all, really. Treating all those heavy illnesses linked to smoking... it's EXPENSIVE. Extremely expensive.

That kind of system already exists! If you smoke, if you drink, or if you are overweight, you end up paying more for healthcare—though, of course, not here in America.
But I'm not entirely sure if that's the right way to go. To me, the case involving that woman who loves mushrooms is simply a reminder that even in America, some incredibly advanced and positive things are being done that cost massive amounts of money; that lady's life was saved, and they didn't skimp on the funding. She received the kind of care that wouldn't even be available in many other countries on this planet.

Anyway... since we've wandered into ethical territory: here is one for you.
This is an example from the same hospital; a young girl attempted suicide by taking a medication that caused her liver to fail completely, and since she didn't pass away instantly—meaning medical teams were able to start saving her in time—it was decided to transplant her liver. It is the only therapy for that specific type of poisoning, and it truly is an emergency procedure.
But... did that (I think she was) 17-year-old really deserve such a life-saving organ? After all, she (attempted) suicide. Because of her, someone else didn't get that organ.

The entire broadcast was built around this story, but they only air it on that local Z1 station I tend to hunt for... The program is titled "Stay Alive," and the actual procedure was carried out by surgeons Dr. Stipislav Jadrijevic and Dr. Branislav Kocman over at Mercury Hospital, where the surgery took place. That surgical team even appeared on the show to explain in painstaking detail exactly what they did to save her life. It really makes you pause and wonder how a certain simpleton manages to receive the kind of elite medical service usually reserved for someone like the Prime Minister... Judging by her expression and her rather questionable IQ, I’d bet anything she hasn't the slightest clue what actually transpired or the complexity of what was done to keep her breathing...

Alright people, what exactly were they supposed to do? Tell her, "Hey, you're being an idiot, so we're just not going to bother trying to save you"?

She isn't the first, and she certainly won't be the last, to pull something this stupid. When someone gets drunk or high behind the wheel and slams into a wall, what's the protocol then? What do we do with people like that?

There are endless examples if you look for them. If we start judging who deserves medical care based on their own screw-ups, we’ll end up being worse than the US.

melloworca6 said:Alright people, what exactly were they supposed to do? Tell her, "Hey, you're being an idiot, so we're just not going to bother trying to save you"?

She isn't the first, and she certainly won't be the last, to pull something this stupid. When someone gets drunk or high behind the wheel and slams into a wall, what's the protocol then? What do we do with people like that?

There are endless examples if you look for them. If we start judging who deserves medical care based on their own screw-ups, we’ll end up being worse than the US.

It really is just proof that God looks out for the foolish... Honestly, if she had actually listened to any of the explanations regarding mushrooms, she would have turned to stone right then and there. She clearly doesn't know the first thing about fungi, yet she went out foraging because she felt so confident in these so-called "ancient methods" for spotting poisonous ones. One of those ridiculous tricks involves placing onions near the mushrooms while cooking or sautéing; the idea is that if the onion turns black, the mushroom is toxic and should be tossed. Well, naturally, in this instance, the onion didn't turn black, and the woman ended up ingesting toxins that turned her liver into paste within twenty-four hours. To make matters worse, her fellow "mushroom experts" suggested other "ancient methods," like watching for silver to tarnish while cooking. Even the famous mycologist, Professor Romano Bozac, who has authored several books on the subject, could barely maintain a straight face during the interview when he heard this nonsense about onions and silver; he simply remarked, "those kinds of methods haven't fed many people—they've just buried them." 😁

melloworca6 said:

Maria Gomez4 Asks:

That already exists! If you smoke, drink, or carry too much extra weight, you’re going to pay more for your health insurance. Of course, that isn't how things work here in America.
I’m not sure that’s really the right way to look at it. To me, that lady who loves mushrooms is just a reminder that in America, we actually do some incredibly advanced, high-level work that costs a fortune. In her case, her life was saved, and nobody blinked at the price tag. She received the kind of care you'd only find in a handful of places on this planet.

Anyway... since we've already started wading into all this ethical territory: here's one for you.
It’s the same hospital; a young woman attempted suicide and took a pill that completely wrecked her liver. Since she didn't die instantly—meaning they actually managed to start life-saving measures in time—they decided to go ahead with a liver transplant. For that kind of poisoning, it’s the only way to fix it, and it's a total emergency procedure.
No... did that 17-year-old—I think that was her age—actually deserve a life-saving organ? She attempted suicide, after all. Because of her, someone else didn't get that organ.

Look, if we're going by that logic, half the population shouldn't even have health insurance unless they're willing to pay through the nose for it. I mean, come on. Some people are just plain stupid.

And what about the hypochondriacs? Honestly, it drives me insane when I realize someone is just a total hypochondriac—getting every single damn test and specialist referral handed to them on a silver platter, only for it to turn out that absolutely everything is perfectly fine.

I know that stuff already exists overseas, and honestly, I’m fine with that. If you’re making a conscious choice to do something you know is going to wreck your health, then go ahead—just be prepared to pay a higher premium on your State Farm policy.

I asked her, and honestly, there are things she just doesn't get. I’ve gone through this mountain of immunological data myself, and while she has a vague idea of what's going on, if you actually sat her down and asked, "Hey, what does this elevated antibody level actually mean?" she wouldn't have a clue. But look, I get it. That's exactly why specialists exist. You go to the expert when you need someone to actually break down the details.

My immunologist looked at my labs—considering everything I’ve had removed and all those elevated markers they explained to me—and pointed out just one thing that was seriously high: the ANF. As for the rest of the antibodies? Honestly, I didn't have a clue what any of them actually did until I started doing some digging online. There are still several on my list where I don't have the slightest idea what they even mean.

My mind immediately goes to the administrative staff. The attitude those women have is just unbelievable. I’ve always been polite and decent; honestly, I’ve never walked into a place and snapped at someone just because I was having a bad day. It’s beyond me how someone can be that rude for absolutely no reason. You show up and ask a simple, standard question—which is literally what those people behind the desk are there for—and they practically tell you to get lost.

Like, sorry, I feel bad that you're having a rough day, or that you're stressed out, or that your job sucks... but I don't care. If I come in asking something nicely, I expect a nice response back. If I were being rude and someone snapped at me like that, I wouldn't say a word, but this kind of behavior is just incomprehensible to me.

One of these days, I am seriously going to lose it on that woman at the front desk. Either I'll snap, or I'll go straight to her supervisor and make a massive scene. You can have one bad day, but it can't be every single day. She is constantly rude, but last time, she almost sent me flying when I asked if she knew where a certain doctor was; she just slammed her little glass window shut in my face.

And besides, we have this centralized scheduling system at the hospital that's supposed to work by letting you call in to book an appointment. Do I really have to mention that those people act like they can't even pick up a phone? Or they just hang up because the line is "busy," forcing you to drive all the way down to the hospital just to schedule something. I can't wait for the online booking and email system to actually start working so I never have to deal with these people who refuse to do their jobs again.

I have to admit, regarding the medical staff itself, I haven't had any negative experiences yet, at least in terms of kindness. My only gripe so far is with the specialists; they don't seem to have the time to explain things properly before rushing you out the door. But then again, they aren't the ones to blame—it's the system.

So, you're saying that front desk staff aren't even medical professionals, like nurses or technicians?

melloworca6 said:Alright people, what exactly were they supposed to do? Tell her, "Hey, you're being an idiot, so we're just not going to bother trying to save you"?

She isn't the first, and she certainly won't be the last, to pull something this stupid. When someone gets drunk or high behind the wheel and slams into a wall, what's the protocol then? What do we do with people like that?

There are endless examples if you look for them. If we start judging who deserves medical care based on their own screw-ups, we’ll end up being worse than the US.

Look, you have to realize that money isn't infinite; our budget is already massive and, frankly, unrealistic, so those funds and resources have to be taken from somewhere!
From whom?
From pregnant women? From people with the flu? From ICU patients? Or palliative care? It doesn't matter, but all those resources—the operating room, the prep work, flying an organ in from another state via Air Force One—it all costs an enormous amount. I might be exaggerating, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's close to a million dollars. This woman underwent an experimental procedure where they transplanted a liver from a different blood type! Hello?! That is straight out of a space-age sci-fi movie.
And all of that implies that someone else who actually needed that liver didn't get it, or someone who should have been operated on immediately had to wait because the OR was occupied. It means surgeries were postponed and people were left waiting because the surgeons and staff were tied up. Maintaining that organ requires incredibly expensive medications and oversight from a top-tier clinic like the Mayo Clinic... which is great, really, but I honestly don't know who is going to foot the bill. I'm just not sure our economy can sustain that level of medical intervention.

And yeah, I have this intense urge to go visit the lady, but I probably shouldn't for ethical reasons (besides the fact that she was "my patient" back in my med school days 🙂, so I definitely remember her, even her name)

melloworca6 said:

Maria Gomez4 Asks:

That already exists! If you smoke, drink, or carry too much extra weight, you’re going to pay more for your health insurance. Of course, that isn't how things work here in America.
I’m not sure that’s really the right way to look at it. To me, that lady who loves mushrooms is just a reminder that in America, we actually do some incredibly advanced, high-level work that costs a fortune. In her case, her life was saved, and nobody blinked at the price tag. She received the kind of care you'd only find in a handful of places on this planet.

Anyway... since we've already started wading into all this ethical territory: here's one for you.
It’s the same hospital; a young woman attempted suicide and took a pill that completely wrecked her liver. Since she didn't die instantly—meaning they actually managed to start life-saving measures in time—they decided to go ahead with a liver transplant. For that kind of poisoning, it’s the only way to fix it, and it's a total emergency procedure.
No... did that 17-year-old—I think that was her age—actually deserve a life-saving organ? She attempted suicide, after all. Because of her, someone else didn't get that organ.

Look, if we're going by that logic, half the population shouldn't even have health insurance unless they're willing to pay through the nose for it. I mean, come on. Some people are just plain stupid.

And what about the hypochondriacs? Honestly, it drives me insane when I realize someone is just a total hypochondriac—getting every single damn test and specialist referral handed to them on a silver platter, only for it to turn out that absolutely everything is perfectly fine.

I know that stuff already exists overseas, and honestly, I’m fine with that. If you’re making a conscious choice to do something you know is going to wreck your health, then go ahead—just be prepared to pay a higher premium on your State Farm policy.

I asked her, and honestly, there are things she just doesn't get. I’ve gone through this mountain of immunological data myself, and while she has a vague idea of what's going on, if you actually sat her down and asked, "Hey, what does this elevated antibody level actually mean?" she wouldn't have a clue. But look, I get it. That's exactly why specialists exist. You go to the expert when you need someone to actually break down the details.

My immunologist looked at my labs—considering everything I’ve had removed and all those elevated markers they explained to me—and pointed out just one thing that was seriously high: the ANF. As for the rest of the antibodies? Honestly, I didn't have a clue what any of them actually did until I started doing some digging online. There are still several on my list where I don't have the slightest idea what they even mean.

My mind immediately goes to the administrative staff. The attitude those women have is just unbelievable. I’ve always been polite and decent; honestly, I’ve never walked into a place and snapped at someone just because I was having a bad day. It’s beyond me how someone can be that rude for absolutely no reason. You show up and ask a simple, standard question—which is literally what those people behind the desk are there for—and they practically tell you to get lost.

Like, sorry, I feel bad that you're having a rough day, or that you're stressed out, or that your job sucks... but I don't care. If I come in asking something nicely, I expect a nice response back. If I were being rude and someone snapped at me like that, I wouldn't say a word, but this kind of behavior is just incomprehensible to me.

One of these days, I am seriously going to lose it on that woman at the front desk. Either I'll snap, or I'll go straight to her supervisor and make a massive scene. You can have one bad day, but it can't be every single day. She is constantly rude, but last time, she almost sent me flying when I asked if she knew where a certain doctor was; she just slammed her little glass window shut in my face.

And besides, we have this centralized scheduling system at the hospital that's supposed to work by letting you call in to book an appointment. Do I really have to mention that those people act like they can't even pick up a phone? Or they just hang up because the line is "busy," forcing you to drive all the way down to the hospital just to schedule something. I can't wait for the online booking and email system to actually start working so I never have to deal with these people who refuse to do their jobs again.

I have to admit, regarding the medical staff itself, I haven't had any negative experiences yet, at least in terms of kindness. My only gripe so far is with the specialists; they don't seem to have the time to explain things properly before rushing you out the door. But then again, they aren't the ones to blame—it's the system.

I suppose they aren't necessarily unintelligent just because they’re taking advantage of a service they don't actually have to pay for; if anything, they might actually be quite clever, wouldn't you say? 🙂
I honestly feel that the cost of treating illnesses caused or worsened by clearly defined factors should be shifted directly onto those specific culprits—tobacco products, most notably. While alcohol is certainly a major driver, the number of people actually ending up needing liver transplants because of it seems relatively low compared to other issues; I suppose there is definitely a question regarding how we approach addiction treatment, but I have this nagging impression that it just isn't the massive problem that smoking is.

melloworca6 said:

Maria Gomez4 Asks:

That already exists! If you smoke, drink, or carry too much extra weight, you’re going to pay more for your health insurance. Of course, that isn't how things work here in America.
I’m not sure that’s really the right way to look at it. To me, that lady who loves mushrooms is just a reminder that in America, we actually do some incredibly advanced, high-level work that costs a fortune. In her case, her life was saved, and nobody blinked at the price tag. She received the kind of care you'd only find in a handful of places on this planet.

Anyway... since we've already started wading into all this ethical territory: here's one for you.
It’s the same hospital; a young woman attempted suicide and took a pill that completely wrecked her liver. Since she didn't die instantly—meaning they actually managed to start life-saving measures in time—they decided to go ahead with a liver transplant. For that kind of poisoning, it’s the only way to fix it, and it's a total emergency procedure.
No... did that 17-year-old—I think that was her age—actually deserve a life-saving organ? She attempted suicide, after all. Because of her, someone else didn't get that organ.

Look, if we're going by that logic, half the population shouldn't even have health insurance unless they're willing to pay through the nose for it. I mean, come on. Some people are just plain stupid.

And what about the hypochondriacs? Honestly, it drives me insane when I realize someone is just a total hypochondriac—getting every single damn test and specialist referral handed to them on a silver platter, only for it to turn out that absolutely everything is perfectly fine.

I know that stuff already exists overseas, and honestly, I’m fine with that. If you’re making a conscious choice to do something you know is going to wreck your health, then go ahead—just be prepared to pay a higher premium on your State Farm policy.

I asked her, and honestly, there are things she just doesn't get. I’ve gone through this mountain of immunological data myself, and while she has a vague idea of what's going on, if you actually sat her down and asked, "Hey, what does this elevated antibody level actually mean?" she wouldn't have a clue. But look, I get it. That's exactly why specialists exist. You go to the expert when you need someone to actually break down the details.

My immunologist looked at my labs—considering everything I’ve had removed and all those elevated markers they explained to me—and pointed out just one thing that was seriously high: the ANF. As for the rest of the antibodies? Honestly, I didn't have a clue what any of them actually did until I started doing some digging online. There are still several on my list where I don't have the slightest idea what they even mean.

My mind immediately goes to the administrative staff. The attitude those women have is just unbelievable. I’ve always been polite and decent; honestly, I’ve never walked into a place and snapped at someone just because I was having a bad day. It’s beyond me how someone can be that rude for absolutely no reason. You show up and ask a simple, standard question—which is literally what those people behind the desk are there for—and they practically tell you to get lost.

Like, sorry, I feel bad that you're having a rough day, or that you're stressed out, or that your job sucks... but I don't care. If I come in asking something nicely, I expect a nice response back. If I were being rude and someone snapped at me like that, I wouldn't say a word, but this kind of behavior is just incomprehensible to me.

One of these days, I am seriously going to lose it on that woman at the front desk. Either I'll snap, or I'll go straight to her supervisor and make a massive scene. You can have one bad day, but it can't be every single day. She is constantly rude, but last time, she almost sent me flying when I asked if she knew where a certain doctor was; she just slammed her little glass window shut in my face.

And besides, we have this centralized scheduling system at the hospital that's supposed to work by letting you call in to book an appointment. Do I really have to mention that those people act like they can't even pick up a phone? Or they just hang up because the line is "busy," forcing you to drive all the way down to the hospital just to schedule something. I can't wait for the online booking and email system to actually start working so I never have to deal with these people who refuse to do their jobs again.

I have to admit, regarding the medical staff itself, I haven't had any negative experiences yet, at least in terms of kindness. My only gripe so far is with the specialists; they don't seem to have the time to explain things properly before rushing you out the door. But then again, they aren't the ones to blame—it's the system.

And why on earth would they just hand them out like candy? I mean, let’s be honest—so many people outright lie about it. It’s a total classic when you look at disability benefits or those extended medical leaves... sometimes a person just doesn't feel like showing up to work, so they turn to a doctor and say, "Hey, write me something."
I suppose a doctor might be weak, or perhaps he simply lacks the necessary expertise, or maybe he’s just plain terrified—it could honestly be all of those things at once—but you have to believe that, deep down, he truly wants to help the man.
I guess you might recall that recent news story about the patient who was treated incredibly harshly by a doctor on the second shift; apparently, they just brushed her off because she hadn't scheduled an appointment, even though she showed up specifically because she was in pain.
Look, I really have no desire to see my name being dragged through the papers!

melloworca6 said:

Maria Gomez4 Asks:

That already exists! If you smoke, drink, or carry too much extra weight, you’re going to pay more for your health insurance. Of course, that isn't how things work here in America.
I’m not sure that’s really the right way to look at it. To me, that lady who loves mushrooms is just a reminder that in America, we actually do some incredibly advanced, high-level work that costs a fortune. In her case, her life was saved, and nobody blinked at the price tag. She received the kind of care you'd only find in a handful of places on this planet.

Anyway... since we've already started wading into all this ethical territory: here's one for you.
It’s the same hospital; a young woman attempted suicide and took a pill that completely wrecked her liver. Since she didn't die instantly—meaning they actually managed to start life-saving measures in time—they decided to go ahead with a liver transplant. For that kind of poisoning, it’s the only way to fix it, and it's a total emergency procedure.
No... did that 17-year-old—I think that was her age—actually deserve a life-saving organ? She attempted suicide, after all. Because of her, someone else didn't get that organ.

Look, if we're going by that logic, half the population shouldn't even have health insurance unless they're willing to pay through the nose for it. I mean, come on. Some people are just plain stupid.

And what about the hypochondriacs? Honestly, it drives me insane when I realize someone is just a total hypochondriac—getting every single damn test and specialist referral handed to them on a silver platter, only for it to turn out that absolutely everything is perfectly fine.

I know that stuff already exists overseas, and honestly, I’m fine with that. If you’re making a conscious choice to do something you know is going to wreck your health, then go ahead—just be prepared to pay a higher premium on your State Farm policy.

I asked her, and honestly, there are things she just doesn't get. I’ve gone through this mountain of immunological data myself, and while she has a vague idea of what's going on, if you actually sat her down and asked, "Hey, what does this elevated antibody level actually mean?" she wouldn't have a clue. But look, I get it. That's exactly why specialists exist. You go to the expert when you need someone to actually break down the details.

My immunologist looked at my labs—considering everything I’ve had removed and all those elevated markers they explained to me—and pointed out just one thing that was seriously high: the ANF. As for the rest of the antibodies? Honestly, I didn't have a clue what any of them actually did until I started doing some digging online. There are still several on my list where I don't have the slightest idea what they even mean.

My mind immediately goes to the administrative staff. The attitude those women have is just unbelievable. I’ve always been polite and decent; honestly, I’ve never walked into a place and snapped at someone just because I was having a bad day. It’s beyond me how someone can be that rude for absolutely no reason. You show up and ask a simple, standard question—which is literally what those people behind the desk are there for—and they practically tell you to get lost.

Like, sorry, I feel bad that you're having a rough day, or that you're stressed out, or that your job sucks... but I don't care. If I come in asking something nicely, I expect a nice response back. If I were being rude and someone snapped at me like that, I wouldn't say a word, but this kind of behavior is just incomprehensible to me.

One of these days, I am seriously going to lose it on that woman at the front desk. Either I'll snap, or I'll go straight to her supervisor and make a massive scene. You can have one bad day, but it can't be every single day. She is constantly rude, but last time, she almost sent me flying when I asked if she knew where a certain doctor was; she just slammed her little glass window shut in my face.

And besides, we have this centralized scheduling system at the hospital that's supposed to work by letting you call in to book an appointment. Do I really have to mention that those people act like they can't even pick up a phone? Or they just hang up because the line is "busy," forcing you to drive all the way down to the hospital just to schedule something. I can't wait for the online booking and email system to actually start working so I never have to deal with these people who refuse to do their jobs again.

I have to admit, regarding the medical staff itself, I haven't had any negative experiences yet, at least in terms of kindness. My only gripe so far is with the specialists; they don't seem to have the time to explain things properly before rushing you out the door. But then again, they aren't the ones to blame—it's the system.

Sigh. I usually just hop online to look up whatever is going on with a patient; most of the time, I really only need a quick refresher. I have to admit, there are plenty of things I used to think were groundbreaking, yet it turns out they’re just standard practice that my colleagues handle perfectly well. Then again, maybe it just comes down to the individual or the specific nature of the illness.
I suppose the real issue here boils down to trust—trust in the system and trust in our doctors. While I'll admit the system could certainly be performing better, it does function, and maybe there really isn't any need to descend into such widespread panic.

I suppose I’ll jump in here and share my thoughts... I recently decided to switch gynecologists, so we shall see how things progress from here. Just once, my previous doctor ran a swab because she suspected Chlamydia—given the constant discharge and itching—but the results actually came back negative. Her nurse then asked me, quite pointedly, why I was even bothering since my tests were clear and I technically have my annual checkup covered under Medicare, even though my symptoms haven't changed one bit. I ended up seeking private care instead, though I haven't quite made a final decision on that yet.

It feels a bit disheartening, honestly, because the wait times everywhere seem to be incredibly long. Even with my dentist, I’m never quite sure if I’ve successfully booked an appointment; I often find myself waiting for nearly an hour, and I feel like I don't always receive much dedicated attention. It's a similar story with my primary care physician—unless it's an absolute emergency, you have to schedule ahead and then just wait indefinitely.

I do pay for supplemental insurance, mostly because ever since I turned 30, it seems like everything has started to feel a little more fragile. I’ve only visited a private specialist once or twice, and I think I'll only make that choice if I truly run out of patience or if something becomes genuinely urgent.

It’s not even that I’m unhappy, it’s just that I’m feeling so bitter.

My mother was basically left to pass away in the most heartbreaking way possible. She didn't get a full diagnostic workup, and because of that, she never received the right kind of care. It all happened because they discriminated against her based on her age and her diagnosis.

I honestly don't have the energy or the heart left to talk about my own struggles as a patient.

Maria Gomez4 said:Like I said before, patients dealing with chronic illnesses are a bit more complicated. But just imagine if you were prescribed a medication for asthma that actually makes your MS worse?... what then? Well, in a functional system, the family doctor steps in to figure out the best path forward.
Look, a huge portion of Americans only have a basic education, maybe some high school, but certainly nothing advanced. Many people simply aren't equipped to connect how their various health issues interact. They get lost in a sea of different medications!

Here’s an example: someone has a heart condition, so their cardiologist puts them on something like a beta blocker. Then they see a pulmonologist for asthma, and that specialist realizes the beta blocker is actually bad for the asthma. So what does the pulmonologist do? Do they stop the beta blocker and risk the patient's heart, or do they leave it alone and do nothing? They'll stop it. And then they give the patient a referral to see their primary physician. If it's just about managing blood pressure, the GP can handle that adjustment and keep things steady, while also explaining why the beta blocker was a bad idea. It happens more often than you'd think—patients staying on meds they shouldn't just because "it feels fine." Essentially, we need a doctor who acts like a captain, guiding a person through the healthcare system to reach a goal. Unfortunately... unfortunately... nowadays, doctors are mostly just glorified ATM machines for referrals, and that's what really hurts.
So, regarding what Susan Rodriguez4 is saying; yes, we need better management, but that's only one part—actually a pretty small part of the problem. The crisis is systemic. You see it most clearly in those massive MRI machines they buy... which, according to reports, are 90% unnecessary. An MRI costs roughly $667, and if you asked any average American to shell out that kind of cash, they'd probably lose their mind! In my opinion, if we looked into who authorized all those useless MRIs (an MRI is safe enough, but a CT scan hits the body with HUGE amounts of radiation—like 150 times more than a standard X-ray!), I suspect we'd find that the system is fundamentally broken somewhere, and that's what needs to be uncovered.
Because, sure, kudos to a hospital for being managed successfully; that's great! Absolutely. But someone has to pay for every single one of those MRIs, and a "successful" hospital like that will paradoxically just end up drowning in debt. (Which is why I suspect there's a dedicated group behind all this bad healthcare, trying to prevent debt accumulation by pushing people away from public services and driving them toward private healthcare😁)

e, I suppose that’s exactly what I was getting at when I mentioned how certain medications are strictly earmarked for specific conditions, and how Medicare essentially shackles doctors, preventing them from acting solely in the patient's best interest.
Interferon is actually a drug that could potentially help with a vast array of conditions... but unfortunately, it hasn't been prescribed for those cases here... so I guess people just have to find their own ways to manage.

hm, I wonder why there isn't some kind of recurring referral? I'm not entirely sure, since I've never personally referred anyone to psychotherapy, though I do know that certain services allow for multiple visits, or like people getting wound care at the ER who can visit several times under one referral... that was a new thing last year. I suppose you should probably ask a therapist; maybe the family doctor knows the specifics.

I'm concluding that you must be a primary care physician. 😉

First of all, every specialist SHOULD take a full medical history and know exactly what medications the patient is currently taking and what other conditions they might be dealing with.
Why would you think a primary care doctor knows which drugs interact, but a specialist wouldn't?
For instance, when I see my pulmonologist once a year, she gets a complete report from me regarding my other diagnosis. I ask her if Singulair interacts with interferon, just like I ask my neurologist the same thing. Plus, I read the instructions for both medications myself.

But let's assume not every patient will remember to do that.
I still believe specialists should have the authority to prescribe medication and order follow-up tests directly. That same specialist could easily be digitally linked to the primary care physician, rather than us running around with piles of paperwork and wasting both our time and theirs by duplicating work.

It’s not that I have anything against my own GP—not at all—but it’s exhausting to think that for every single test or check-up, I have to go to them first, wait for the appointment, wait for the booking, and then go back to them again, in an endless loop, all while the waiting rooms are always packed.

That’s exactly why I handle quite a few things privately. And I pay for supplemental insurance too. You really have to piece everything together just to get adequate treatment.

Kyle Lee7 said:I'm concluding that you must be a primary care physician. 😉

First of all, every specialist SHOULD take a full medical history and know exactly what medications the patient is currently taking and what other conditions they might be dealing with.
Why would you think a primary care doctor knows which drugs interact, but a specialist wouldn't?
For instance, when I see my pulmonologist once a year, she gets a complete report from me regarding my other diagnosis. I ask her if Singulair interacts with interferon, just like I ask my neurologist the same thing. Plus, I read the instructions for both medications myself.

But let's assume not every patient will remember to do that.
I still believe specialists should have the authority to prescribe medication and order follow-up tests directly. That same specialist could easily be digitally linked to the primary care physician, rather than us running around with piles of paperwork and wasting both our time and theirs by duplicating work.

It’s not that I have anything against my own GP—not at all—but it’s exhausting to think that for every single test or check-up, I have to go to them first, wait for the appointment, wait for the booking, and then go back to them again, in an endless loop, all while the waiting rooms are always packed.

That’s exactly why I handle quite a few things privately. And I pay for supplemental insurance too. You really have to piece everything together just to get adequate treatment.

I'm not.

Kyle Lee7 said:I'm concluding that you must be a primary care physician. 😉

First of all, every specialist SHOULD take a full medical history and know exactly what medications the patient is currently taking and what other conditions they might be dealing with.
Why would you think a primary care doctor knows which drugs interact, but a specialist wouldn't?
For instance, when I see my pulmonologist once a year, she gets a complete report from me regarding my other diagnosis. I ask her if Singulair interacts with interferon, just like I ask my neurologist the same thing. Plus, I read the instructions for both medications myself.

But let's assume not every patient will remember to do that.
I still believe specialists should have the authority to prescribe medication and order follow-up tests directly. That same specialist could easily be digitally linked to the primary care physician, rather than us running around with piles of paperwork and wasting both our time and theirs by duplicating work.

It’s not that I have anything against my own GP—not at all—but it’s exhausting to think that for every single test or check-up, I have to go to them first, wait for the appointment, wait for the booking, and then go back to them again, in an endless loop, all while the waiting rooms are always packed.

That’s exactly why I handle quite a few things privately. And I pay for supplemental insurance too. You really have to piece everything together just to get adequate treatment.

Of course, that’s the absolute bottom line—the absolute prerequisite for anything to move forward, I suppose.

Kyle Lee7 said:I'm concluding that you must be a primary care physician. 😉

First of all, every specialist SHOULD take a full medical history and know exactly what medications the patient is currently taking and what other conditions they might be dealing with.
Why would you think a primary care doctor knows which drugs interact, but a specialist wouldn't?
For instance, when I see my pulmonologist once a year, she gets a complete report from me regarding my other diagnosis. I ask her if Singulair interacts with interferon, just like I ask my neurologist the same thing. Plus, I read the instructions for both medications myself.

But let's assume not every patient will remember to do that.
I still believe specialists should have the authority to prescribe medication and order follow-up tests directly. That same specialist could easily be digitally linked to the primary care physician, rather than us running around with piles of paperwork and wasting both our time and theirs by duplicating work.

It’s not that I have anything against my own GP—not at all—but it’s exhausting to think that for every single test or check-up, I have to go to them first, wait for the appointment, wait for the booking, and then go back to them again, in an endless loop, all while the waiting rooms are always packed.

That’s exactly why I handle quite a few things privately. And I pay for supplemental insurance too. You really have to piece everything together just to get adequate treatment.

It all comes down to something incredibly basic, really—it’s just a matter of entropy, the second law of thermodynamics, and that one-way flow of time that we can't escape. ☕ I mean, look, I’m just saying that a primary care physician is really the only one who maintains a continuous view of a patient's history. He has access to a level of oversight that specialists simply can't provide, because, let's face it, our hypothetical patient didn't develop all these ailments simultaneously; first it was heart issues, then it was pulmonary. So, you have a pulmonologist finding himself in this awkward position where he's basically trying to override the cardiologist's treatment plan. You know what I mean?
I guess I could come up with a mountain of examples because this kind of situation happens all the time, really. It’s much like how medical checkups work; some people have to wait in line forever, while others somehow manage to get seen right before an inspection, and then there are those who face endless waiting periods... I suppose you just need someone else involved besides the specialist.

Kyle Lee7 said:I'm concluding that you must be a primary care physician. 😉

First of all, every specialist SHOULD take a full medical history and know exactly what medications the patient is currently taking and what other conditions they might be dealing with.
Why would you think a primary care doctor knows which drugs interact, but a specialist wouldn't?
For instance, when I see my pulmonologist once a year, she gets a complete report from me regarding my other diagnosis. I ask her if Singulair interacts with interferon, just like I ask my neurologist the same thing. Plus, I read the instructions for both medications myself.

But let's assume not every patient will remember to do that.
I still believe specialists should have the authority to prescribe medication and order follow-up tests directly. That same specialist could easily be digitally linked to the primary care physician, rather than us running around with piles of paperwork and wasting both our time and theirs by duplicating work.

It’s not that I have anything against my own GP—not at all—but it’s exhausting to think that for every single test or check-up, I have to go to them first, wait for the appointment, wait for the booking, and then go back to them again, in an endless loop, all while the waiting rooms are always packed.

That’s exactly why I handle quite a few things privately. And I pay for supplemental insurance too. You really have to piece everything together just to get adequate treatment.

That sounds nice in theory, I suppose, but it isn't exactly simple in practice. You’re only looking at two medications, whereas there are countless Americans over sixty-five who are juggling three or four different prescriptions daily... not to mention seeing just as many specialists. And then you have to consider those people who don't really prioritize their health—which, let's face it, is most of the population—and they probably don't even realize when they have an appointment or when it's actually time to see a specialist.

Kyle Lee7 said:I'm concluding that you must be a primary care physician. 😉

First of all, every specialist SHOULD take a full medical history and know exactly what medications the patient is currently taking and what other conditions they might be dealing with.
Why would you think a primary care doctor knows which drugs interact, but a specialist wouldn't?
For instance, when I see my pulmonologist once a year, she gets a complete report from me regarding my other diagnosis. I ask her if Singulair interacts with interferon, just like I ask my neurologist the same thing. Plus, I read the instructions for both medications myself.

But let's assume not every patient will remember to do that.
I still believe specialists should have the authority to prescribe medication and order follow-up tests directly. That same specialist could easily be digitally linked to the primary care physician, rather than us running around with piles of paperwork and wasting both our time and theirs by duplicating work.

It’s not that I have anything against my own GP—not at all—but it’s exhausting to think that for every single test or check-up, I have to go to them first, wait for the appointment, wait for the booking, and then go back to them again, in an endless loop, all while the waiting rooms are always packed.

That’s exactly why I handle quite a few things privately. And I pay for supplemental insurance too. You really have to piece everything together just to get adequate treatment.

Well, just imagine a system like this: you only ever deal with your own family doctor. They know everything about you—they're practically your confessor (if you can even wrap your head around how intimate that level of trust is). In such a setup, if a complication arises that exceeds their expertise, they consult a specialist—someone detached and objective. That specialist examines you and then sends you back to your regular doctor, accompanied by a letter ad manum medici (confidential, for the physician's eyes only). This letter would detail the examination, what was found, any suspicions, and provide specific advice to your doctor on how to proceed. It would suggest which medications to prescribe or which further tests to run.
In that kind of framework, your primary doctor acts as the central pillar.
You know, our system used to be somewhat like that, except... people seem to have forgotten. The entire concept has been inverted.

Kyle Lee7 said:I'm concluding that you must be a primary care physician. 😉

First of all, every specialist SHOULD take a full medical history and know exactly what medications the patient is currently taking and what other conditions they might be dealing with.
Why would you think a primary care doctor knows which drugs interact, but a specialist wouldn't?
For instance, when I see my pulmonologist once a year, she gets a complete report from me regarding my other diagnosis. I ask her if Singulair interacts with interferon, just like I ask my neurologist the same thing. Plus, I read the instructions for both medications myself.

But let's assume not every patient will remember to do that.
I still believe specialists should have the authority to prescribe medication and order follow-up tests directly. That same specialist could easily be digitally linked to the primary care physician, rather than us running around with piles of paperwork and wasting both our time and theirs by duplicating work.

It’s not that I have anything against my own GP—not at all—but it’s exhausting to think that for every single test or check-up, I have to go to them first, wait for the appointment, wait for the booking, and then go back to them again, in an endless loop, all while the waiting rooms are always packed.

That’s exactly why I handle quite a few things privately. And I pay for supplemental insurance too. You really have to piece everything together just to get adequate treatment.

And here's another thing: supplemental insurance basically only exists to waive copays. It isn't actually extra insurance; it's just a perk for repeat customers so they spend a little less out of pocket—nothing more than that. Its sole purpose is to pad the Medicare budget.

Andrew Wood5 said:So, you're saying that front desk staff aren't even medical professionals, like nurses or technicians?

No, they aren't medical pros. They’re administrators who really should have backgrounds in business or office management, but in this country, anything goes. You end up hiring just about anyone for those roles.

Honestly, I don't care. I just want them to show some basic decency if I'm being decent to them. I haven't said anything yet, but next time? I'm not staying quiet.

Maria Gomez4 said:Look, you have to realize that money isn't infinite; our budget is already massive and, frankly, unrealistic, so those funds and resources have to be taken from somewhere!
From whom?
From pregnant women? From people with the flu? From ICU patients? Or palliative care? It doesn't matter, but all those resources—the operating room, the prep work, flying an organ in from another state via Air Force One—it all costs an enormous amount. I might be exaggerating, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's close to a million dollars. This woman underwent an experimental procedure where they transplanted a liver from a different blood type! Hello?! That is straight out of a space-age sci-fi movie.
And all of that implies that someone else who actually needed that liver didn't get it, or someone who should have been operated on immediately had to wait because the OR was occupied. It means surgeries were postponed and people were left waiting because the surgeons and staff were tied up. Maintaining that organ requires incredibly expensive medications and oversight from a top-tier clinic like the Mayo Clinic... which is great, really, but I honestly don't know who is going to foot the bill. I'm just not sure our economy can sustain that level of medical intervention.

And yeah, I have this intense urge to go visit the lady, but I probably shouldn't for ethical reasons (besides the fact that she was "my patient" back in my med school days 🙂, so I definitely remember her, even her name)

Look, don't try to lecture me on economics or money; I get it. My point is we need to find a way to penalize certain behaviors (take smokers or hypochondriacs, for example) instead of just cutting people off because some idiots exist or because some people simply don't care about their own health.

And honestly, they should start cleaning house with primary care doctors. I was looking at the prescriptions my grandma takes recently, and out of 5 or 6 different meds, at least two are totally useless. For instance, one side effect of a blood pressure med can be itching, allergies, or a rash. She probably got an itch from that, so they gave her an antihistamine. How many elderly people are out there complaining about what’s likely just a drug side effect, only to be handed more pills, and then spend months taking stuff they don't actually need?

Same thing happened when I was sitting in a waiting room at the doctor's office. This woman was telling how her mom had been coughing for months; they sent her through every test under the sun—immunology, everything—only for it to turn out the cough was just a side effect of her blood pressure medication.

There's your savings right there: pay a little more attention to the details. And don't even get me started on antibiotics being handed out like candy. People walk into the clinic with the flu and get prescribed antibiotics. If people knew that the flu is a virus and that viruses don't respond to antibiotics, then doctors should at least explain that to them, rather than just taking the easy way out and dumping antibiotics on a kid to get them out the door.
First, it's a total waste of money, and second, it's dangerous because bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant.

Maria Gomez4 said:I suppose they aren't necessarily unintelligent just because they’re taking advantage of a service they don't actually have to pay for; if anything, they might actually be quite clever, wouldn't you say? 🙂
I honestly feel that the cost of treating illnesses caused or worsened by clearly defined factors should be shifted directly onto those specific culprits—tobacco products, most notably. While alcohol is certainly a major driver, the number of people actually ending up needing liver transplants because of it seems relatively low compared to other issues; I suppose there is definitely a question regarding how we approach addiction treatment, but I have this nagging impression that it just isn't the massive problem that smoking is.

And why on earth would they just hand them out like candy? I mean, let’s be honest—so many people outright lie about it. It’s a total classic when you look at disability benefits or those extended medical leaves... sometimes a person just doesn't feel like showing up to work, so they turn to a doctor and say, "Hey, write me something."
I suppose a doctor might be weak, or perhaps he simply lacks the necessary expertise, or maybe he’s just plain terrified—it could honestly be all of those things at once—but you have to believe that, deep down, he truly wants to help the man.
I guess you might recall that recent news story about the patient who was treated incredibly harshly by a doctor on the second shift; apparently, they just brushed her off because she hadn't scheduled an appointment, even though she showed up specifically because she was in pain.
Look, I really have no desire to see my name being dragged through the papers!

Sigh. I usually just hop online to look up whatever is going on with a patient; most of the time, I really only need a quick refresher. I have to admit, there are plenty of things I used to think were groundbreaking, yet it turns out they’re just standard practice that my colleagues handle perfectly well. Then again, maybe it just comes down to the individual or the specific nature of the illness.
I suppose the real issue here boils down to trust—trust in the system and trust in our doctors. While I'll admit the system could certainly be performing better, it does function, and maybe there really isn't any need to descend into such widespread panic.

So you said you aren't a primary care doctor? 🙂

Good for you. We need more doctors like that. My old doctor couldn't even figure out how to use a computer, let alone search the internet.

melloworca6 said:No, they aren't medical pros. They’re administrators who really should have backgrounds in business or office management, but in this country, anything goes. You end up hiring just about anyone for those roles.

Honestly, I don't care. I just want them to show some basic decency if I'm being decent to them. I haven't said anything yet, but next time? I'm not staying quiet.

They are terrible. With this new system, everything from referrals to intake is typed into a computer. They just stare blankly at the monitor. You’d think they were doctors making some profound clinical assessment, but they aren't. 😂It feels like you're walking through a courtroom where they're just waiting for you to slip up so they can let you go. And they are so incredibly slow. There is zero effort to speed things up. Maybe they actually want Milinović's failures to take hold. Patients are treated like mere numbers now. It’s all pure bureaucracy, even though the whole point of this change was supposed to be the exact opposite.

Andrew Wood5 said:They are terrible. With this new system, everything from referrals to intake is typed into a computer. They just stare blankly at the monitor. You’d think they were doctors making some profound clinical assessment, but they aren't. 😂It feels like you're walking through a courtroom where they're just waiting for you to slip up so they can let you go. And they are so incredibly slow. There is zero effort to speed things up. Maybe they actually want Milinović's failures to take hold. Patients are treated like mere numbers now. It’s all pure bureaucracy, even though the whole point of this change was supposed to be the exact opposite.

Man, it’s really no surprise who’s getting hired these days.

Two years ago, I was in a bad way. Honestly, if my boyfriend hadn't driven me over to his mom's place at the Mayo Clinic, I might not have stayed alive. So there I am, just sitting there in the ward, waiting around for my guy to finish his shift so he could finally come examine me.

So, I got a little peek behind the curtain to see how things actually run on the units. There were two doctors on duty; one female doctor was bouncing back and forth between the ward and the clinic, while the other poor guy spent two whole hours just stuck at a desk typing up test results and discharge papers.

It’s honestly a disgrace. You look at the numbers and it's ridiculous—we have way too many administrators running around. There was even an article about it in the local news recently. At the KBO, one-third of the staff is medical and two-thirds is just non-medical. Pure waste. 😲Doctors need to type their own notes. These guys either have no clue what they're doing or they're slow enough to drive you absolutely insane.

melloworca6 said:Look, don't try to lecture me on economics or money; I get it. My point is we need to find a way to penalize certain behaviors (take smokers or hypochondriacs, for example) instead of just cutting people off because some idiots exist or because some people simply don't care about their own health.

And honestly, they should start cleaning house with primary care doctors. I was looking at the prescriptions my grandma takes recently, and out of 5 or 6 different meds, at least two are totally useless. For instance, one side effect of a blood pressure med can be itching, allergies, or a rash. She probably got an itch from that, so they gave her an antihistamine. How many elderly people are out there complaining about what’s likely just a drug side effect, only to be handed more pills, and then spend months taking stuff they don't actually need?

Same thing happened when I was sitting in a waiting room at the doctor's office. This woman was telling how her mom had been coughing for months; they sent her through every test under the sun—immunology, everything—only for it to turn out the cough was just a side effect of her blood pressure medication.

There's your savings right there: pay a little more attention to the details. And don't even get me started on antibiotics being handed out like candy. People walk into the clinic with the flu and get prescribed antibiotics. If people knew that the flu is a virus and that viruses don't respond to antibiotics, then doctors should at least explain that to them, rather than just taking the easy way out and dumping antibiotics on a kid to get them out the door.
First, it's a total waste of money, and second, it's dangerous because bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant.

So you said you aren't a primary care doctor? 🙂

Good for you. We need more doctors like that. My old doctor couldn't even figure out how to use a computer, let alone search the internet.

That sort of oversight happens constantly through various commissions, boards, and audits. They monitor how many referrals you issue, how many sick leaves are signed, how many antibiotics are prescribed... basically, it’s all handled quite rigorously.

melloworca6 said:Look, don't try to lecture me on economics or money; I get it. My point is we need to find a way to penalize certain behaviors (take smokers or hypochondriacs, for example) instead of just cutting people off because some idiots exist or because some people simply don't care about their own health.

And honestly, they should start cleaning house with primary care doctors. I was looking at the prescriptions my grandma takes recently, and out of 5 or 6 different meds, at least two are totally useless. For instance, one side effect of a blood pressure med can be itching, allergies, or a rash. She probably got an itch from that, so they gave her an antihistamine. How many elderly people are out there complaining about what’s likely just a drug side effect, only to be handed more pills, and then spend months taking stuff they don't actually need?

Same thing happened when I was sitting in a waiting room at the doctor's office. This woman was telling how her mom had been coughing for months; they sent her through every test under the sun—immunology, everything—only for it to turn out the cough was just a side effect of her blood pressure medication.

There's your savings right there: pay a little more attention to the details. And don't even get me started on antibiotics being handed out like candy. People walk into the clinic with the flu and get prescribed antibiotics. If people knew that the flu is a virus and that viruses don't respond to antibiotics, then doctors should at least explain that to them, rather than just taking the easy way out and dumping antibiotics on a kid to get them out the door.
First, it's a total waste of money, and second, it's dangerous because bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant.

So you said you aren't a primary care doctor? 🙂

Good for you. We need more doctors like that. My old doctor couldn't even figure out how to use a computer, let alone search the internet.

That is a very common—almost legendary—side effect of ACE inhibitors, so I honestly can't fathom why the physician didn't consider that possibility. They really should have.

melloworca6 said:Look, don't try to lecture me on economics or money; I get it. My point is we need to find a way to penalize certain behaviors (take smokers or hypochondriacs, for example) instead of just cutting people off because some idiots exist or because some people simply don't care about their own health.

And honestly, they should start cleaning house with primary care doctors. I was looking at the prescriptions my grandma takes recently, and out of 5 or 6 different meds, at least two are totally useless. For instance, one side effect of a blood pressure med can be itching, allergies, or a rash. She probably got an itch from that, so they gave her an antihistamine. How many elderly people are out there complaining about what’s likely just a drug side effect, only to be handed more pills, and then spend months taking stuff they don't actually need?

Same thing happened when I was sitting in a waiting room at the doctor's office. This woman was telling how her mom had been coughing for months; they sent her through every test under the sun—immunology, everything—only for it to turn out the cough was just a side effect of her blood pressure medication.

There's your savings right there: pay a little more attention to the details. And don't even get me started on antibiotics being handed out like candy. People walk into the clinic with the flu and get prescribed antibiotics. If people knew that the flu is a virus and that viruses don't respond to antibiotics, then doctors should at least explain that to them, rather than just taking the easy way out and dumping antibiotics on a kid to get them out the door.
First, it's a total waste of money, and second, it's dangerous because bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant.

So you said you aren't a primary care doctor? 🙂

Good for you. We need more doctors like that. My old doctor couldn't even figure out how to use a computer, let alone search the internet.

melloworca6 said:Look, don't try to lecture me on economics or money; I get it. My point is we need to find a way to penalize certain behaviors (take smokers or hypochondriacs, for example) instead of just cutting people off because some idiots exist or because some people simply don't care about their own health.

And honestly, they should start cleaning house with primary care doctors. I was looking at the prescriptions my grandma takes recently, and out of 5 or 6 different meds, at least two are totally useless. For instance, one side effect of a blood pressure med can be itching, allergies, or a rash. She probably got an itch from that, so they gave her an antihistamine. How many elderly people are out there complaining about what’s likely just a drug side effect, only to be handed more pills, and then spend months taking stuff they don't actually need?

Same thing happened when I was sitting in a waiting room at the doctor's office. This woman was telling how her mom had been coughing for months; they sent her through every test under the sun—immunology, everything—only for it to turn out the cough was just a side effect of her blood pressure medication.

There's your savings right there: pay a little more attention to the details. And don't even get me started on antibiotics being handed out like candy. People walk into the clinic with the flu and get prescribed antibiotics. If people knew that the flu is a virus and that viruses don't respond to antibiotics, then doctors should at least explain that to them, rather than just taking the easy way out and dumping antibiotics on a kid to get them out the door.
First, it's a total waste of money, and second, it's dangerous because bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant.

So you said you aren't a primary care doctor? 🙂

Good for you. We need more doctors like that. My old doctor couldn't even figure out how to use a computer, let alone search the internet.

No, I'm not; I just changed my status.

melloworca6 said:Look, don't try to lecture me on economics or money; I get it. My point is we need to find a way to penalize certain behaviors (take smokers or hypochondriacs, for example) instead of just cutting people off because some idiots exist or because some people simply don't care about their own health.

And honestly, they should start cleaning house with primary care doctors. I was looking at the prescriptions my grandma takes recently, and out of 5 or 6 different meds, at least two are totally useless. For instance, one side effect of a blood pressure med can be itching, allergies, or a rash. She probably got an itch from that, so they gave her an antihistamine. How many elderly people are out there complaining about what’s likely just a drug side effect, only to be handed more pills, and then spend months taking stuff they don't actually need?

Same thing happened when I was sitting in a waiting room at the doctor's office. This woman was telling how her mom had been coughing for months; they sent her through every test under the sun—immunology, everything—only for it to turn out the cough was just a side effect of her blood pressure medication.

There's your savings right there: pay a little more attention to the details. And don't even get me started on antibiotics being handed out like candy. People walk into the clinic with the flu and get prescribed antibiotics. If people knew that the flu is a virus and that viruses don't respond to antibiotics, then doctors should at least explain that to them, rather than just taking the easy way out and dumping antibiotics on a kid to get them out the door.
First, it's a total waste of money, and second, it's dangerous because bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant.

So you said you aren't a primary care doctor? 🙂

Good for you. We need more doctors like that. My old doctor couldn't even figure out how to use a computer, let alone search the internet.

That's how we're trained now, and it's mandatory (knowing how to use a computer). Digitalization has advanced so much that you even have semi-professional apps right on your smartphone.

melloworca6 said:Man, it’s really no surprise who’s getting hired these days.

Two years ago, I was in a bad way. Honestly, if my boyfriend hadn't driven me over to his mom's place at the Mayo Clinic, I might not have stayed alive. So there I am, just sitting there in the ward, waiting around for my guy to finish his shift so he could finally come examine me.

So, I got a little peek behind the curtain to see how things actually run on the units. There were two doctors on duty; one female doctor was bouncing back and forth between the ward and the clinic, while the other poor guy spent two whole hours just stuck at a desk typing up test results and discharge papers.

It’s honestly a disgrace. You look at the numbers and it's ridiculous—we have way too many administrators running around. There was even an article about it in the local news recently. At the KBO, one-third of the staff is medical and two-thirds is just non-medical. Pure waste. 😲Doctors need to type their own notes. These guys either have no clue what they're doing or they're slow enough to drive you absolutely insane.

Well, I suppose that’s a pretty controversial topic you've brought up. I guess the real question is whether it’s actually more cost-effective to hire a dedicated clerk or just let the doctor handle the typing themselves.

From what I gather—though I might be wrong—there used to be plenty of medical transcriptionists back in the day, but then they were all mass-fired (well, not everyone, since some departments still have their own dedicated ladies handling the machines), so now the doctors have taken over the typing duties. It varies wildly in terms of skill level, too; I mean, some doctors are incredibly fast—I once saw a specialist from Florida typing with one hand while flipping through charts with the other!—whereas others are practically illiterate when it comes to computers, which makes sense considering the average American specialist is probably somewhere in their 50s or 55.
The amount of time wasted on data entry is just massive. In some departments, during my internship, that was basically my entire job, and I consider myself a relatively quick typist.

I can't help but wonder why everything has to be re-typed manually instead of just being copied and pasted; I guess it's just baffling why these records aren't readily available in a digital format.

What absolutely kills me about this healthcare system is when they send some elderly, frail person home for "post-op care" after surgery, and then they just completely stop giving a damn. As long as they get the patient off their hands, they’re happy. It happened to me—my old man passed away, and just a few days later, my grandfather had to have a pacemaker put in. He already has two artificial hips and moves incredibly slowly on crutches; you honestly don't know what to do with someone in that state. He got both the pacemaker and the hip replacements at the same hospital, and ever since that whole mess, his mobility has just plummeted. So now what am I supposed to do? There’s no one to look after him. I lost my job, and even if I find a new one, I can't take anything with long hours, field work, or overtime. Obviously, nobody gives a damn about my situation, and I refuse to touch his money, even though he has both an American and a German pension.
I want to work, but I can't live in constant fear of him falling again. It’s happened several times—once on the stairs just a few months after his surgery, once when he felt ill, and a couple of other times he just tripped and went down. He refuses to go to a nursing home, but you can't force him, yet you can't exactly leave someone in his condition alone at home either.
There are plenty of people who feel confident enough to undergo surgery, just like him, because they spent years doing heavy manual labor. Then illness hits, and most people can't afford private care, while the waitlists for government facilities are ten years long. When are we going to stop living like we're in Afghanistan? Our healthcare system is total garbage—actually, scratch that, my old man won't listen to me anyway. A doctor could have easily told him, "Sir, you need a facility; you can't be left home alone all day." 🤷