Quote:
Originally Posted by cschin4
Hmmm... I find it a bit suspect when doctors are hawking vitamins and other such things in their offices.
|
As a physician, I agree completely. I think it creates a conflict and puts patients in an awkward situation, feeling obligated to buy what the doctor is selling.
I do various things to make extra money but I do all of them outside of my practice. My patients don't see them and aren't affected by them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scanner
This to me is a huge problem in allopathic healthcare. . .overspecialization. There should be a return of the "generalist" concept to allow for some fluidity.
|
I agree, and would also point out that it isn't just allopathic, but osteopathic as well. The problem is reimbursement. It costs the same amount to go through medical school whether you become a family practice doc or a super-specialist, but the FP makes $130,000 and the specialist makes $400,000. Which would you choose knowing that you will finish school with $200,000 in student loans?
We overpay our specialists and underpay our generalists. Much of the preventative medicine and early intervention happens at the family doctor level. If we would encourage more and better family doctors, we could avoid a lot of the specialty needs by preventing the problems. But as reimbursement drops and hassles rise, fewer and fewer good candidates are choosing to go into primary care.