kbordson

Also my practice is predominately Medicaid, which means less financial return for my efforts - but more rewarding. (I figure someone took care of my sister when she was pregnant and on Medicaid... someone should take care of these others) But because of that, I have had insurance patients question "why are you taking so many Medicaid, is there a reason you can't get 'paying' customers?"

I give of my time, effort and heart. I have donated over 9 gallons of blood. I have cut my hair 3 (or is it 4) times and donated it to locks for love. I have gone on two medical missions (Guatamala and Peru). I have taught, tutored and mentored. I have been a Big Sister to a troubled teen in South Dakota. I have given money to help others achieve goals that they can't manage on their own. i have had my heart broken by a son that isn't mine, but I still give him the future. And it's still not enough.

Well if there isn't or if the procedure is unsuccessful there is always THIS MEAN! Mean, cruel and nasty! Vicious! I do NOT bowl.

Well maybe we can get diagnostic clinics, where they hook you up to a machine and it looks at you and there is only a few techs to run the whole thing - Cheaper right? Then the docs can phone in the prognosis. Well.... that's kinda what House did. And he still almost killed her. (now, granted, I think it was bogus, because even if she didn't have pain with the broken toe, she would have at some point taken the socks of and noticed the toe)

Wow. I'm sorry that happened. Surgery comes with risk. Sometimes it's the risk of the procedure, sometimes it the risk of the one doing the procedure. I hate to say it, because I really do try to be perfect. I try to ensure that when I close an abdomen - it is DRY! I don't close the skin until the sponge, needle and instrument counts are done..... but can errors happen. ABSOLUTELY. I am NOT perfect. The surgeon that did the one for the friend of the family is not perfect (obviously). We are human. Mistakes are made. Unfortunately. But, in our field, people can and do die. People expect doctors to be ALL KNOWING, ALWAY AVAILABLE, PERFECT AND PRECISE. But then also expect them to do this for what kind of pay and sacrifice? I will admit, some doctors are part of the reason that the system is broken.

The malpractice is only a small part of the reason why. The bigger issue is because it's hard to get the WHOLE story over the internet.... and doing an exam?! If you saw House after the Superbowl... even he missed a broken bone by doing a long distance/telecommunication type consult. And I can't do labs, XRays, EKG's, surgeries..... I just don't want to lead someone in the wrong.

Thank you!!

May this year be FABULOUS! Happy Birthday!

NOW THAT IS A QUESTION THAT I WANT AN ANSWER TO!!!! (and I kinda find this thread and the pm's that I receive occasionally to be very helpful to some.... if you go into SC - I know it's scary, but go on - one of the leading threads right now is about healthcare in the US. If I help one person that has questions or needs something explains than I'll be happy. Now I'm not looking to diagnose or treat... just help people understand what they might not know.)

It's not, unless you have heart problems like I do. I'm not saying it wasn't a valid reason to go... it likely really could have been. When you went up to the check in, did you TELL THEM that you have a history of cardiac problems and are passing out? That is a lot different than just "I got dizzy and lightheaded" But even knowing what to say, you might still have to wait. Sometimes the world does not bow to serve you.... I know it doesn't for me, but if it's truly something that needs to be looked at, I get it taken care of.

I have to agree. The system is broken. Even having health insurance, it costs quite a bit (trust me, I know). Why is it borke? For those of you that think that it's cuz the Dr's are greedy - Think again. I actually make less than half of what my husband does (and he has no advanced degrees). I don't do my job for the money. But the clinic does have to make some money - we have nurses to pay, receptionists, records, supplies, rent, equipment, malpractice insurance. Most medical insurance companies have "deals" that limit the payment to the physicians, hospitals, ect. So the insurance companies take your money, but then work out ways of not paying. They use scare tactics of "can you afford a catastrophe or getting sick" to get you to buy it, but then limit coverage by controlling which hospitals are "in-network" and deny treatment (I have had to argue with insurance peoples many times for the sake of my patients) But, I don't know that socialized medicine is better. People are WAY too willing to abuse something that is free - example, when I was in the military, I saw a patient come into the ER after bonking his head with a cam-corder (walking around the yard, recording lil Susie and Johnie and he hit his own head with the video recorder in his hand). He wanted an MRI. (he's not paying for it... why not?) I do think basic emergency medical coverage and preventative medicine should be better available. I HATE it when a woman comes in and her last pap was 8-10yrs ago.... cuz she didn't have coverage. I HATE diagnosing cancer, when it could have been screened for before it got to that. I wish I was smart enough to know how to fix it. Personal responsibility (pay out of pocket) isn't working (too many don't get the care - I know I didn't when I didn't have insurance while in medical school). Corporate responsibility (Insurance companies) doesn't work (their goal is the bottom line). Government responsibility (socialized medicine) won't work (too much beauricacy). I don't know the answer. -oh and the "just call an ambulance" comments. I went into the ER by ambulance after I broke my ankle. I still waited 6hrs. Don't call the ambulance to just try to jump ahead in line. The EMTs are busy enough with real emergencies.

It's checking for an inguinal hernia. This link discusses Male Genital Examination Procedure (which, being a gynecologist, I generally don't do. . . professionally) If you start feeling added pressure/swelling down there, call for an appointment. This is something that needs to be looked at. Depending on the size of the hernia, if the bowel gets trapped in the ring and can't move freely back to the abdomen, it can become incarcerated and cut off it's blood supply. This is bad. edit to add - turn your head so you don't cough on us!

Broke: are you asking me or cocheese? I have seen those retracors and yes, many instruments in medicine look quite horrific. Luckily I haven't had to use them. . . yet. Simplyputsi: There is laser hair removal and IPL (intense pulsed light). Personally I only have experience with IPL. And there are threads in the womens forum on it

Interesting that you want to go to another country and use their health system, but complain when this one is being used by people from other countries.

OK. Quit being so sanctimonious and grow up. One or two doctors for how many patients that night? Two hundred? More? And even the minor "cold" that is in there has to be looked at and charted on and confirmed that it really isn't pneumonia or rocky mtn spotted fever or plague. I know both sides of the bed. Last month, I waited 6 hours in the urgent care/ER for an obviously deformed extremity before I saw a dr. I wasn't in horrible pain, I wasn't bleeding out, I didn't have chest pain. I waited. If you want "emergency" care, there are how many others sitting there demanding that convenience too. If you don't need it, schedule an appt with your primary care doctor. Yes, you'll likely have to wait a week or so for that visit, but you won't be waiting hrs in the ER.

Agreed. In fact - lets look at some hypothetical situations but using the above demographics. Young girl (11 in the above case) has sex with an adult (18yo). Did she "look older"? Kinda beside the point. Was it consentual? She's 11, so she doesn't really get a vote, even if "she wanted it." Was she "hurt" (besides the emotional) or required medical attention? All things to think about... but lets get past all of that. Dad finds out. ANGRY AS HELL! Protective. Betrayed. He himself feeling attacked by the events. He goes and kills the 18year old. Gets caught (cuz you're not really smart when doing things in a rage). Now what? - Trial. His little daughter might be up on the stand having to relive and retell the experience. In front of strangers. Judging. Possibly even doubting her story. Legal fees or public defender - this is for murder. . . How much is the house worth? Will the family have to move? Will he lose his job? If he does, what about health insurance? Will she lose the ability to seek longer term counseling? The press.... how will that affect her friends, school... -Guilty verdict. Appeals? Or just accept that you will not be seeing her graduate high school or go to college or find love or have children. -Nonguilty verdict. Social stigma. Will you still have to move? Debt? For what? Her "honor"? The honorable thing would be to support her and help her recover, not make the experience more traumatic to appease your anger.

What horrid guilt and pain you must feel. And I'm sure not a day goes by when you don't think "what if?" You are completely right, social problems can be due to true pathology. But.... sometimes a three year old is just a three year old. Our culture is becoming so regimented. Parenting time is declining and the schools are doing "more." More and more children are having adult disorders that are typically related to stress - ulcers (one of my patients was hospitalized when she was younger for a bleeding ulcer), obesity, depression. . . . Funny thing is. . . this is "our" doing. We can't blame it on a world war or disease or catastrophe. This is cultural. We are forgetting to let children be children. We, as adults, are forgetting to be children ourselves (and I mean childlike, not immature). By focusing too much on the milestones, we loose the journey. I'm sorry that your son had a difficult experience. But. . . the important thing is for him to be happy now, regardless if he's "wasting" his genius. Life is too short otherwise. Besides. . . you never know where 20 years from now might take him. The confidence that he builds on the computer games might encourage him to become an Einstein or Franklin or Hughes. (not that I would really want anyones child to grow up to be Howard Hughes - he was a sad man)

Peter My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Even anticipated losses hurt. Unfortunately I lost all grandparents by the time I was in my early 20's. But, I will call my mom and remind her of how important she is in my life. {{HUG}}

I'm kinda hoping that it would come with a pm type warning. . . . cuz part of me is wondering: "Am I a loud obnoxious" user? Or have I just been a postwhore during this past month of confinement to my bed.

Or... you could get a lawyer and sue your OB? Come one, he/she must be somehow to blame. Couldn't be that he's 3, or his genetics or parenting..... blame the Doctor!

That's a very nice looking modification to her avatar.

WOW!! Look at the personalities we have going here! Now is when my mom's voice steps in and chastises my naughty personalities: "NOW KAREN, BE NICE!!!!!" Maybe everyone needs my mom as one of their "you"s

That is TOO CUTE! You need to save that for when she grow up and is rich. (but hopefully NOT a canibal)

But... I'm not disrespecting a mod, I'm disrespecting.....

Gees... Jef, did you pm Billvon too? I can almost see you jumping up and down "BAN HIM. BAN HIM" (picture the scene in Holy Grail - "BURN HER.")