Future of healthcare

[Jogeephus]

I don't know if anyone has noticed how they seem to be lowering standards for healthcare but I've seen more and more of these places popping up taking the place of the traditional doctor's office visits and in the future I wouldn't be surprised if Walmart won't be in the doctoring business to some extent.

I may be an exception but several years ago a misdiagnosis by a physician's assistant almost cost me my life but everyone can make a mistake so I didn't think too much of it till another misdiagnosis by a PA effected my son last week. Its kindof funny but it wasn't to him at the time. You see he woke up and had something wrong in his groin area and for the sake of time he stopped by one of those quick clinics to have it checked out. The PA walked in and examined him and without asking any questions or interviewing him just told him frankly he had contracted HERPES. My son was floored and he told me he just couldn't believe it especially since he isn't married and practices abstinence and hadn't been with anyone. PA never asked any of this and that I think is kind of important when it comes to STD's.

Anyhow, the PA just walked away and didn't offer to do any tests or anything just prescribed some drugs for him to take and sent him down the road. Being in med school he knew where to look for information and who to talk to because he just could not believe it. He spoke to one the doctors at his college and they discussed the symptoms and he was told that it didn't sound like herpes but they would need to do tests to find out exactly what it was. Tests were done and tests came back negative for herpes and it turned out to be contact dermatitis. Basically it was an allergy. A week of grief and worrying over nothing.

He told me all the things the PA neglected to do and the doctor who helped him said they are seeing more and more of this type thing and sometimes it leads to fatal results. I know everyone makes mistakes but with these past experiences with PA's making mistakes I'm wondering if we are not going down the wrong path by relying so much on people other than doctors for our health care needs. I don't know. What's your thoughts?

 

[Ouachita]

Rest assured, you are in good hands...........although the people's of this nation are divided, about 50/50, a majority elected congress folks to decide in the dark of night to give you and me affordable healthcare. The way I understand it, we enabled an Act.

 

[tom4018]

A Walmart not far from here has some type of clinic in it, think the local hospital runs it.

 

[dun]

That's why it's called "practicing medicine". The local walmart has a little booth that you can visit and get your medical care. Never have seen anyone in it but the sign is there, no appt required. A good PA, and there are some, are a more economical way of getting care. They used to have to be a licensed nurse, not sure if RN or not, to get into the school. The first PA in the Navy when they started the pilot program was a fishing buddy of mine. I trusted him a whole lot more then the Navy doctors I had dealt with.

 

[bball]

A Walmart not far from here has some type of clinic in it, think the local hospital runs it.

Yep its going to become more main stream too. The CVS Pharms around here are planting NPS and seeing folks like a clinic setting. I'm a healthcare professional and the current push is all about perception and pt SATISFACTION (since this will factor into reimbursement on a grand scale) the emphasis of proper dx and treatment (ehh not as important) as long as John Q citizen feels like he was staying at the Hilton, who cares if we actually treated him and had positive outcomes. (Dripping with sarcasm, frustration and irritation)

 

[wacocowboy]

As a CPR trainer I get to see a bunch of the people going into nursing school all I can say is Lord help us. I also train doctors and nurse who have already been practicing and I run across a few who good luck if your life is in their hands. Healthcare quality is dropping like a brick. There are still a lot of good ones out there but a lot are tired of the BS and are retiring as soon as possible. When my wife had her accident back in December she was taken to a local hospital and I wouldn't trust the quacks who work there an further than I could throw my bull. They couldn't even decide what to do with her broken foot and couldn't manage her pain. We got her out of there and down to Houston. I hate Houston but they do have some of the best doctors in the world in the medical center.

 

[highgrit]

I've been doctored up to the max. Between finding a primary care physician, orthopedic surgeon's, nuro surgeon's, and second opinions.Then during my pre-op at the hospital I went into cardiac arrest, so now my neck surgery got put on hold. But now I'm going to a couple of different cardiologist for testing to find out what the heck is going on. All I'm wanting is the same answers and opinions from two different doctors. I've had three different blood test done in the last two weeks, and there's differences between all three. But so far everyone has been great and very professional, except for the nurse that stuck me 5 times trying to draw blood. I'm not sure if the wife and kids are trying to save me or kill me at this point. I have pretty much figured out that urgent care is just that.

 

[Commercialfarmer]

Highgrit, get that heart stuff all lined out. I wish you all the best there.



Because the potential at the end of med school has and will be affected, there will be many prospects that would have been doctors and other supporting roles, lost to other professions.

Care will suffer.

I think PA's and Nurse practitioners have a place. I think they are being stretched into some situations that their education/training was not designed for. Saying that, given ample experience in a quality learning environment, the difference in initial education/training becomes less significant.

I don't think I've been in as many doctor's offices as I have this year. My wife's been to about 4 different doctors in the past couple months, and I think her good friend- a bright PA working in a specialists office has likely started her on the right path to difinitive diagnosis. Results are pending, but I can't help but think they'll shine some light on the subject. With as much as I'm putting into her, I told her I expect a warranty for another 10 years/100,000 miles.

I get to spend some time under the knife shortly- good times, but it could of been much worse. Crazy year for sure.

 

[ddd75]

they'll practice on you and not give a crap if you do better or not.. all they want is the $$$$$$$$$$$$$

it seems like they don't care if they are right or wrong.. as long as they get you a prescription and try to get you into surgery.. thats the only things they care about.

thanks obama..


btw.. just had a baby.. hospital was 'in network' .. guess a month before the baby came they were bought out..... so now it was out of network for my insurance.. well fvck.. no one can tell us when we got there or the 6 hours we were there before the baby came..

so I pay 790/month for insurance... and have a 6k hospital bill that the insurance won't cover.. wait a minute.. wasn't the whole obama care thing.. 'your covered no matter what'...

 

[dun]

I think that whole "hope and change" deal was that when you finished paying for health care you hoped you would still have some change in your pocket

 

[bball]

As a CPR trainer I get to see a bunch of the people going into nursing school all I can say is Lord help us. I also train doctors and nurse who have already been practicing and I run across a few who good luck if your life is in their hands. Healthcare quality is dropping like a brick. There are still a lot of good ones out there but a lot are tired of the BS and are retiring as soon as possible. When my wife had her accident back in December she was taken to a local hospital and I wouldn't trust the quacks who work there an further than I could throw my bull. They couldn't even decide what to do with her broken foot and couldn't manage her pain. We got her out of there and down to Houston. I hate Houston but they do have some of the best doctors in the world in the medical center.

Only reason my daughter is alive today is Texas Childrens. Amazing what they are capable of.

 

[melking]

One of the many advantages of living where I do, is that we have the best health care anywhere. We have so many old folks with money that the best specialist and doctors set up practices here. On the other side, most of the old folks have drivers licenses that were issued by Sears & Roebuck

 

[highgrit]

We were forced into buying health insurance by the affordable health care bill. So my wife choose the Blue Cross silver pathway or something for our insurance. It's kind of a pain because you have to be referred by a primary care doctor from their list. But for someone that hasn't had insurance for 20+ years it's a blessing. She's on the phone all the time with Blue cross tying to get stuff worked out. But obama care is the best thing the government has ever done for me. I'm not voting dumocrat, noway not even a chance. I tell folks it's my farm subsidy policy, it only costs us $600. a month. But it will be getting cheaper every year. ;-)

 

[lavacarancher]

Jo, we had a pretty lively discussion on this subject a couple of weeks ago. I would be hesitant about going into one of those places again for a hang nail, let alone something serious. Some of them are associated with a hospital, some are not. I'm not sure what that "association" means other than the "emergency clinic" will transport you to their hospital. Kinda like lawyers chasing ambulances.

They may have a place in the medical community. Certainly getting in to see a real doctor takes time and by the time you do get in the problem has gone away. Pop up clinics can help relieve that problem provided your malady is not serious and life threatening. Look at it this way. You can do your grocery shopping while you get your brain surgery.

Follow the money.

 

[inyati13]

Healthcare is the elephant eating us out of house and home.

 

[highgrit]

CSRS is what's killing this country. The retirement benefits for government worker's are killing us. The Heritage Foundation has some interesting reading on this issue. The cost to taxpayers is staggering, and most had cheesy 9-5 jobs to start with anyway.

 

[HDRider]

Jo,
What's the problem, wasn't the care affordable?

Seriously, I am glad he got it properly cared for. The sad fact is so many folks would not have been as informed, or as connected to proper care.

Like so much in America now, we are in a race to the bottom.

 

[Jogeephus]

I don't mean to take anything away from the PA's because I know they have to go through a lot of schooling and stuff but the bottom line is they are not doctors. Granted there are some sorry doctors out there as well.

I scheduled a checkup recently and they told me I would have to wait an extra 3 months if I wanted to see the doctor but I could see the PA then next week. Nothing but a checkup so I saw the PA. Turned out to be a good looking young lady who seemed to really know her stuff. She asked to check my prostrate. I had to decline. Left the doctor's office with more questions about myself than I had when I entered. Was wondering if I would have let my doctor check my prostrate. Was thinking I probably would have reluctantly agreed. Then I was perplexed by the thought of why I would refuse to let a good looking lady check my prostrate while possibly letting an ugly man do it. Shyt, with these questions running through my head I think I'll just stop going to the doctor because I don't need this kind of shyt running through my head the voices are bad enough. :lol: ;-) :lol:

 

[John SD]

Highgrit, get that heart stuff all lined out. I wish you all the best there.



Because the potential at the end of med school has and will be affected, there will be many prospects that would have been doctors and other supporting roles, lost to other professions.

Care will suffer.

I think PA's and Nurse practitioners have a place. I think they are being stretched into some situations that their education/training was not designed for. Saying that, given ample experience in a quality learning environment, the difference in initial education/training becomes less significant.

I don't think I've been in as many doctor's offices as I have this year. My wife's been to about 4 different doctors in the past couple months, and I think her good friend- a bright PA working in a specialists office has likely started her on the right path to difinitive diagnosis. Results are pending, but I can't help but think they'll shine some light on the subject. With as much as I'm putting into her, I told her I expect a warranty for another 10 years/100,000 miles.

I get to spend some time under the knife shortly- good times, but it could of been much worse. Crazy year for sure.

Highgrit, I see a pacemaker and/or defibrillator in your future.

Commercialfarmer, my family doctors are the nurse practitioners and PA at the small chain clinic in a town of 500. All of them women. They are good at what they do, and I appreciate that I can communicate directly with the source if I have a question or problem. Whole different scenario than dealing with the big city doctors.

In the small clinic, if the person is not available the moment I call they will call me back within the hour. At the big city cardio clinic with a dozen drs and a half dozen CNPs and PAs, I often end up at a dead end answer machine and have to leave a message. Then I can wait all day, and possibly have to call them back again the next day.

I think the small town CNPs and PA pay more attention to detail of my overall health and catch the little problems before they turn into big ones. If something is beyond their ability, they refer me elsewhere.

 

[Caustic Burno]

All it is more shadow government by unelected bureaucrats passed by a Socialist Regime.
Remember had to pass the bill to find out what was in it.
The Amazing part is the American people swallowed that from the third person in line
to be President. With that type leadership skills and following only a successful outcome is
possible. :bs: