Comments | persipone: The Worst Patients

persipone

The Worst Patients

Dec 02, 2005 18:51

Well, I went to the doctor today for the first time since I started medical school. It was weird seeing things from the other side- the rooms in Ghent Family Practice are almost exactly the same as the ones we use with Standardized Patients. And I discovered another thing-- I really don't much like doctors, when I'm the patient ( Read more... )

life

Comments 5

My $0.02 glenmarshall December 3 2005, 01:37:02 UTC

First rule: Pain Is Not Normal -- One would have thought the GP would refer you to an orthopod. There are any number of Bad Things that could be going on in your knee and a number of Not So Good Things. At best the advice would be "If it hurts when you do that, then stop doing that for a while." Think of the poor inarticulate elderly people who sees the same doctor as you; they are truly damned ( ... )

Re: My $0.02 persipone December 3 2005, 04:48:53 UTC

I definitely agree! But, well, re: If it hurts when you do that, then stop doing that for a while. . . that's actually a lot harder than it sounds, when what you're supposed to stop doing is something totally normal that you do every time you sit down.

I'd modify your second rule by saying that "The Patient is not Permitted to Be An Informed Consumer." The information just isn't avaialable. I really think this has *got* to be fixed. People might choose not to have more expensive studies for less serious problems, which is not a bad thing. But it would also make people more conscious of the amount of money that is moving in this system, which might drive in to them how important insurance really is. It's rediculous that with a moderate amount of effort you can't get someone to tell you either the price you'll pay, or the actual cost of the service.

And-- shit, I forgot that I'm going to have to pay for a radiologist. There goes my deductible!

bluedoran December 3 2005, 05:58:51 UTC

This might actually be much more expensive than you are bargaining for, and I would try to somehow figure that out ahead of time. Just a tip.

Also, I got a small bill from Labcorp that I finally paid. I didn't know how much it was going to be before I got it. I paid it rather later than I got it. I hope that's going to be ok.

I hate to be the one to say this but... jasminewind December 3 2005, 21:18:57 UTC

maybe you are just getting old? :-)

I miss you.

Re: I hate to be the one to say this but... persipone December 7 2005, 20:36:28 UTC

Heh. That's what my dad said. "It's arthritis. I started getting arthritis when I was in my teens! it's about time your joints started aching!"

But, damnit, I'm 25! I'm too young to be plagued by these aches and pains!

I miss you too- whatcha doin for the last two weeks in December? I'll be in DC for most of it.