41 ms·

It's so much worse than you think. Almost ALL doctors want to help. It's system (in this case, the reimbursement system) that makes it impossible to help, even

It's so much worse than you think. Almost ALL doctors want to help. It's system (in this case, the reimbursement system) that makes it impossible to help, even though they want to. The doctors themselves have far less agency than you think.

robertlagrant 3y ago
This is far too US-centric. Western medicine is a lot broader than that.
JoshTko 3y ago
Having experienced several dozen healthcare providers I'd say it's more like 50/50. Half clearly have a profit as a primary motive.
ipaddr 3y ago
I would say they are the least caring group of society followed by nurses. Not their fault. When everyone around you is sick all of the time you have to turn off that part that cares or you will burn yourself out. Yourself, family, friends, favourite waitress cares about you more than your doctor.
nicenewtemp84 3y ago
I actually dated a med student all through medical school and thus made a huge social circle of doctors I've kept in touch with for over a decade as they all became doctors and now have almost a decade of experience too. I'd say about half want to help, but can not due to the system. The other half enjoy maximizing their income through the system and don't care either. So that leaves very very few that are actually able and willing to actually help an average person. Now, do they help their family and close friends? Yes, as much as they still care to and remember how to. Which isn't at a very high level either IMO. Recent example, my friend dislocated his shoulder. Immediately was recommended to have surgery and attempts were made to schedule. With his insurance, he'd have to come out of pocket $7500, which he doesn't really have. I told him I know many motorcyclists at the pro level that dislocate shoulders in crashes, and without surgery are back competing on the bike. Only a handful have surgery to repair it, usually to stop it from reoccurring (since they crash often). He pressed his doctor on if he really needs the surgery and for an explanation why many athletes don't have it done and what the reasoning for auto recommending him to get it done. Their tone instantly shifted and he chose to wait it out. Shoulder back to normal now. Thousands saved, and potential medical mistakes saved during the surgery.
- pvaldes 3y ago
  Shoulder surgery should not be delayed. The probable retraction of some damaged parts is not a joke. Your friend could have been the lucky one in the pool, but there is also a possibility that in a few years the problem will grow and the surgery required will be much heavier and expensive. > and without surgery are back competing on the bike. My bet is that they are on painkillers for life
  - InitialLastName 3y ago
    > My bet is that they are on painkillers for life Also, they are professional athletes at the peak of their bodies' physical fitness capacity with teams of doctors, physical therapists, and trainers looking after their health with a focus that few of us can imagine, and an overriding ethos of sacrificing their future health on the altar of present performance. In general, professional athletes' healthcare decisions should probably not be used as a gauge for healthcare decisions by people with priorities other than "maximal physical performance right this moment".
    - nicenewtemp84 3y ago
      If a group of great doctors lets people crashing at 180mph ride again without surgery after a shoulder dislocation, doesnt that mean that maybe his doctor in nonametown USA might be able to learn a thing or two from them? Or are they just trying to keep their operating room billing hours maxed out? I guess we won't know for sure but I have a hunch.
      - pvaldes 3y ago
        Sure. That doctor could suggest his patients to wear kevlar reinforced biker jackets all the time.
        nicenewtemp84 3y ago
        A kevlar jacket isn't going to help stop your shoulder from dislocating as your flail around tumbling end over end at 100mph.. which is what dislocated the shoulder in the first place.

robertlagrant 3y ago

This is far too US-centric. Western medicine is a lot broader than that.

JoshTko 3y ago

Having experienced several dozen healthcare providers I'd say it's more like 50/50. Half clearly have a profit as a primary motive.

ipaddr 3y ago

I would say they are the least caring group of society followed by nurses. Not their fault. When everyone around you is sick all of the time you have to turn off that part that cares or you will burn yourself out. Yourself, family, friends, favourite waitress cares about you more than your doctor.

nicenewtemp84 3y ago

I actually dated a med student all through medical school and thus made a huge social circle of doctors I've kept in touch with for over a decade as they all became doctors and now have almost a decade of experience too. I'd say about half want to help, but can not due to the system. The other half enjoy maximizing their income through the system and don't care either. So that leaves very very few that are actually able and willing to actually help an average person. Now, do they help their family and close friends? Yes, as much as they still care to and remember how to. Which isn't at a very high level either IMO. Recent example, my friend dislocated his shoulder. Immediately was recommended to have surgery and attempts were made to schedule. With his insurance, he'd have to come out of pocket $7500, which he doesn't really have. I told him I know many motorcyclists at the pro level that dislocate shoulders in crashes, and without surgery are back competing on the bike. Only a handful have surgery to repair it, usually to stop it from reoccurring (since they crash often). He pressed his doctor on if he really needs the surgery and for an explanation why many athletes don't have it done and what the reasoning for auto recommending him to get it done. Their tone instantly shifted and he chose to wait it out. Shoulder back to normal now. Thousands saved, and potential medical mistakes saved during the surgery.

pvaldes 3y ago
Shoulder surgery should not be delayed. The probable retraction of some damaged parts is not a joke. Your friend could have been the lucky one in the pool, but there is also a possibility that in a few years the problem will grow and the surgery required will be much heavier and expensive. > and without surgery are back competing on the bike. My bet is that they are on painkillers for life
- InitialLastName 3y ago
  > My bet is that they are on painkillers for life Also, they are professional athletes at the peak of their bodies' physical fitness capacity with teams of doctors, physical therapists, and trainers looking after their health with a focus that few of us can imagine, and an overriding ethos of sacrificing their future health on the altar of present performance. In general, professional athletes' healthcare decisions should probably not be used as a gauge for healthcare decisions by people with priorities other than "maximal physical performance right this moment".
  - nicenewtemp84 3y ago
    If a group of great doctors lets people crashing at 180mph ride again without surgery after a shoulder dislocation, doesnt that mean that maybe his doctor in nonametown USA might be able to learn a thing or two from them? Or are they just trying to keep their operating room billing hours maxed out? I guess we won't know for sure but I have a hunch.
    - pvaldes 3y ago
      Sure. That doctor could suggest his patients to wear kevlar reinforced biker jackets all the time.
      - nicenewtemp84 3y ago
        A kevlar jacket isn't going to help stop your shoulder from dislocating as your flail around tumbling end over end at 100mph.. which is what dislocated the shoulder in the first place.