Community > General Discussion

Topic: Doctors refusing patients..
BettyB Joined Tue 01/29/08 Posts: 31912	Tue 06/03/08 02:47 PM
What I think is really bad is that doctors are forced to make such choices.

MsCarmen Joined Wed 05/07/08 Posts: 6282	Tue 06/03/08 03:06 PM
Well, it could be that they just get tired of dealing with sick people that are unwilling to make the necessary changes in their lives. Why devote time and energy to someone who won't take care of themselves. No, its not about the money. Smoking and obesity and its related effects keep Dr.'s employed. Trust me on this one. The hospital I work at just became a "Bariatric Center Of Excellence" Meaning we do a lot of the weight loss surgery. These people need follow up care the rest of their lives. Most insurance companies don't pay for the surgery, so they have to pay full price, cash out of pocket, or finance it. But the Dr. gets his money up front. I can understand that reasoning to a point. I mean, who really wouldn't get tired of helping someone who refuses to help them self? But at the same time, why not give a person the benefit of doubt? You can't just judge a person because they are overweight or they smoke and assume that they aren't going to take the steps to improve their health. I think they should be required to take the patient on like a probationary basis and then if the patient refuses to better themselves, then they have the option of discontinuing their services to them. But to outright refuse a person medical treatment based on other's past behavior is just wrong.

dicimus01 Joined Thu 01/18/07 Posts: 387	Tue 06/03/08 03:07 PM Edited by dicimus01 on Tue 06/03/08 03:09 PM
When I was sick last year the Dr. wrote scrips to the tune of $600.00 Three pills were $125.00. Friday I took my dad to Prescott to an eye surgeon, His eye drops were $99.00. When I was in the VA there was a sign in a Dr.'s office that read "WHEN A PHARMASUDICAL REPRESENTATIVE OFFERS TO BUY YOU LUNCH", "JUST SAY NO". Seem like they would try to get the people who need more meds to increase their Kickbacks.

michiganman3 Joined Mon 10/29/07 Posts: 14519	Tue 06/03/08 03:14 PM
Yet when I worked indigent care, we relied on the generosity of Pharm reps to bring in supplies/samples of medications that we couldn't write scripts for because the patients couldn't afford it. Most pharm. companies have programs to get medication at little or no cost for those who truly cannot afford them. But I also realize that these programs are to keep the Federal Government from further regulation of the industry. I would like to see a nationalization of the healthcare industry, yet it would be the same people that try to manage the economy, taxes, war on terror, war on Iraq, IRS. etc,etc. I don't trust the federal government.

manhandle Joined Tue 09/25/07 Posts: 2	Tue 06/03/08 03:24 PM
The Declaration of Geneva, as currently amended, reads: At the time of being admitted as a member of the medical profession: * I solemnly pledge to consecrate my life to the service of humanity; * I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude that is their due; * I will practise my profession with conscience and dignity; * The health of my patient will be my first consideration; * I will respect the secrets that are confided in me, even after the patient has died; * I will maintain by all the means in my power, the honour and the noble traditions of the medical profession; * My colleagues will be my sisters and brothers; * I will not permit considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient; * I will maintain the utmost respect for human life; * I will not use my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat; * I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honour. nuff said. I truley believe doctors are turning patients aways...not on the basis of any discrimination, but on the shortage of time to be devoted to a patient. I graduated in July 07 as a Doctor of chiropratic, we spend more time with patients than your General practioner, as our field is more hands on approach. I know for a fact that, if you enter a doctors office demanding help, you will get treated-only if you actually see the Doctor, as I can tell you that the Doctor is not the one turning you away, it is his office staff. We as doctors take a oath, and would be legally in volation of it. Remember this, we are people, just as you, and you need to think of quality care...meaning...if a doctor is trying to treat 120 patients in a day, truley how can he ?? we are all human and noone wants to be over worked, nor does anyone want their life at jeporady because of an overworked doctor in practice. In a hospital setting, a doctor is surronded by many other professionals to aid in diagnostic work or patient care. Also, how often have you just gone for one visit to the doctors office? (yes, if its a physical, blood work ect, but you return) If your doctor saw you for oncology (cancer work)in say May 15, you had blood drawn on the 17th, yet if he took on new patients everyday could not see you till August sometime, you would not be a happy camper..... Every doctor has the choice to specialize within their field of work. And with Medical insurances out there, who dictate your care, they may have to refer you to someone else as they dont "specialize" in your "problem".....This is a very watered down version...of my opinion....thanks

cutelildevilsmom Joined Sat 04/07/07 Posts: 8862	Tue 06/03/08 03:26 PM
Well the office staff need to be schooled and the insurance industry overhauled.

manhandle Joined Tue 09/25/07 Posts: 2	Tue 06/03/08 03:30 PM
Well the office staff need to be schooled and the insurance industry overhauled. Ask any doctor about insurances and you will get an ear full...With the staff, a doctor puts trust in them to do their job with the doctors welfare at hand....and yes, some do need schooling, because its five o'clock and all they care about is going home.....

brooke007 Joined Sat 10/13/07 Posts: 5469	Tue 06/03/08 03:36 PM
emergency rooms have to see everybody...but witohut insurance the way the treat you could be affected...just to avoid admitting you... sometimes simpler to send u home with atbs then take care of the problem.. depends on the diagnosis...and the hospital... docs gotta cover their butts.. I have a hard time believing a doc would say no to smokers or obese people... those are the SERIOUS money makers.... all the comorbidities...

Citizen_Joe Joined Sat 04/12/08 Posts: 4036	Tue 06/03/08 03:39 PM
In the city where I live there is a real shortage of doctors. I was told by an emergency room nurse that some new doctors are refusing to take new patients if they are smokers or obese. How do you feel about this? Lazy doctor. Only wants to see healthy patients.

MsTeddyBear2u Joined Fri 04/06/07 Posts: 22031	Tue 06/03/08 03:41 PM
The Declaration of Geneva, as currently amended, reads: At the time of being admitted as a member of the medical profession: * I solemnly pledge to consecrate my life to the service of humanity; * I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude that is their due; * I will practise my profession with conscience and dignity; * The health of my patient will be my first consideration; * I will respect the secrets that are confided in me, even after the patient has died; * I will maintain by all the means in my power, the honour and the noble traditions of the medical profession; * My colleagues will be my sisters and brothers; * I will not permit considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient; * I will maintain the utmost respect for human life; * I will not use my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat; * I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honour. nuff said. In my city- I swear they are trying to kill off people who are low income or can't pay, and the elderly.

BettyB Joined Tue 01/29/08 Posts: 31912	Tue 06/03/08 04:38 PM
In the city where I live there is a real shortage of doctors. I was told by an emergency room nurse that some new doctors are refusing to take new patients if they are smokers or obese. How do you feel about this? Lazy doctor. Only wants to see healthy patients. I don,t think it is a matter of being lazy at all. If there were enough doctors to go around there wouldn,t be this problem. The real issue here is the doctor shortage and what can be done about it. are foriegn trained docs the answer?

sum14u2c Joined Sat 08/04/07 Posts: 754	Tue 06/03/08 04:43 PM Edited by sum14u2c on Tue 06/03/08 05:09 PM
Hypocratic=Hippocratic...so sorry for my spelling today. been awake (kinda) almost 29 hours

cutelildevilsmom Joined Sat 04/07/07 Posts: 8862	Tue 06/03/08 04:44 PM
The Declaration of Geneva, as currently amended, reads: At the time of being admitted as a member of the medical profession: * I solemnly pledge to consecrate my life to the service of humanity; * I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude that is their due; * I will practise my profession with conscience and dignity; * The health of my patient will be my first consideration; * I will respect the secrets that are confided in me, even after the patient has died; * I will maintain by all the means in my power, the honour and the noble traditions of the medical profession; * My colleagues will be my sisters and brothers; * I will not permit considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient; * I will maintain the utmost respect for human life; * I will not use my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat; * I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honour. nuff said. In my city- I swear they are trying to kill off people who are low income or can't pay, and the elderly. sing it sista.If you don't have kids or family you are at the mercy of medicaid and unscrupolous docs.

cutelildevilsmom Joined Sat 04/07/07 Posts: 8862	Tue 06/03/08 04:45 PM
In the city where I live there is a real shortage of doctors. I was told by an emergency room nurse that some new doctors are refusing to take new patients if they are smokers or obese. How do you feel about this? Lazy doctor. Only wants to see healthy patients. I don,t think it is a matter of being lazy at all. If there were enough doctors to go around there wouldn,t be this problem. The real issue here is the doctor shortage and what can be done about it. are foriegn trained docs the answer? there are plenty of doctors around,its a nursing shortage we are facing and they are the ones with the common sense.oy vey!!

BettyB Joined Tue 01/29/08 Posts: 31912	Tue 06/03/08 04:52 PM
There is absolutely a shortage of doctors where I live. we also have a shortage of nurses .

beachbum069 Joined Mon 04/07/08 Posts: 14325	Tue 06/03/08 04:59 PM
There is a shortage of speciality doctors in my area. They are too afraid of lawsuits, so they stay in general practice. There are plenty of nurses in my area. They can just make more money in places besides hospitals.