3 ms·

i already understand the economics, these types of systems exist everywhere, usually to the detriment of everyone. However, all they need to do is not deflect m

i already understand the economics, these types of systems exist everywhere, usually to the detriment of everyone. However, all they need to do is not deflect me from specialist care, so im not sure it applies 100% here. Check back in a month when i go to the office again and insist on seeing a specialist.

robomartin 3y ago
Mine was more of a general comment on these types of systems rather than an explanation for what you are going through. I have no clue why they are treating you in the way you describe. It might be interesting if you could ask them why they haven't referred you. Even more interesting if they gave you an honest answer. Good luck.
- penjelly 3y ago
  my best guess is theyre trying not to "over-treat" me, the problem being its a different doctor every single time i go in, so if they all do that i never get anywhere if i have a real issue. also, at my office its tough to get followups with the same doctor. Note that its partly my own fault for backing down when they do deflect me though, but its hard to argue with a doctor when they say "lets just try this for now". Also, Fwiw i didnt downvote you, im not sure why you were downvoted.
  - robomartin 3y ago
    > its hard to argue with a doctor when they say "lets just try this for now". Yeah, I've run into "god complex" with doctors. It's a problem. When my wife was in medical school she started to get sick and wasn't getting better. She went to probably half a dozen doctors. The outcomes were of the kind you describe "let's try this for now". In the meantime, she was getting sicker and sicker. Ultimately, she did her own research and was able to identify a potential diagnosis. She booked a visit with a specialist. As soon as she entered his office he said: You have a pituitary gland tumor, we have to operate immediately. This affliction presents very specific physical changes. She was in the hospital within a week. Six months later she was back to normal. The doctor said she was pretty much on a path straight to death and, had it not been for her self-diagnosis, that might have been the outcome within a year. There are many problems in healthcare, cost and insurance are just two of them. > Also, Fwiw i didnt downvote you, im not sure why you were downvoted. I appreciate that. Right or wrong, for some reason I have always had this image of a petulant immature child downvoting on HN rather than engaging in conversation. Also right or wrong, I also attribute some of this to the serious failure of our system of education to graduate people who can actually think. They have elevated ignoring reality to a virtue and seem really proud of it. I avoid hiring these kinds of people like the plague, they have shit for brains.
- deleted 3y ago
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zo1 3y ago
Not sure what you need a specialist for specifically, but for ~$300 you can get an appointment here in South Africa for any specialist you want. If I want to see a specialist, any specialist, I call their office, book, and X amount of time later, they see me. The reason I mention it is that SA has a medical tourist visa you can get, so flying here for your medical needs may well be within the realm of cost-effective for a lot of people in the Western world. As a general aside. That you have to plead, motivate or beg your government to let you get healthcare from a specialist seems alien to me. I just don't even have the words - your government does not own you!

robomartin 3y ago

Mine was more of a general comment on these types of systems rather than an explanation for what you are going through. I have no clue why they are treating you in the way you describe. It might be interesting if you could ask them why they haven't referred you. Even more interesting if they gave you an honest answer. Good luck.

penjelly 3y ago
my best guess is theyre trying not to "over-treat" me, the problem being its a different doctor every single time i go in, so if they all do that i never get anywhere if i have a real issue. also, at my office its tough to get followups with the same doctor. Note that its partly my own fault for backing down when they do deflect me though, but its hard to argue with a doctor when they say "lets just try this for now". Also, Fwiw i didnt downvote you, im not sure why you were downvoted.
- robomartin 3y ago
  > its hard to argue with a doctor when they say "lets just try this for now". Yeah, I've run into "god complex" with doctors. It's a problem. When my wife was in medical school she started to get sick and wasn't getting better. She went to probably half a dozen doctors. The outcomes were of the kind you describe "let's try this for now". In the meantime, she was getting sicker and sicker. Ultimately, she did her own research and was able to identify a potential diagnosis. She booked a visit with a specialist. As soon as she entered his office he said: You have a pituitary gland tumor, we have to operate immediately. This affliction presents very specific physical changes. She was in the hospital within a week. Six months later she was back to normal. The doctor said she was pretty much on a path straight to death and, had it not been for her self-diagnosis, that might have been the outcome within a year. There are many problems in healthcare, cost and insurance are just two of them. > Also, Fwiw i didnt downvote you, im not sure why you were downvoted. I appreciate that. Right or wrong, for some reason I have always had this image of a petulant immature child downvoting on HN rather than engaging in conversation. Also right or wrong, I also attribute some of this to the serious failure of our system of education to graduate people who can actually think. They have elevated ignoring reality to a virtue and seem really proud of it. I avoid hiring these kinds of people like the plague, they have shit for brains.
deleted 3y ago
[deleted]

zo1 3y ago

Not sure what you need a specialist for specifically, but for ~$300 you can get an appointment here in South Africa for any specialist you want. If I want to see a specialist, any specialist, I call their office, book, and X amount of time later, they see me. The reason I mention it is that SA has a medical tourist visa you can get, so flying here for your medical needs may well be within the realm of cost-effective for a lot of people in the Western world. As a general aside. That you have to plead, motivate or beg your government to let you get healthcare from a specialist seems alien to me. I just don't even have the words - your government does not own you!