I figured I would open this one up for those interested. The whole event of death raises numerous interests. Seems like many thoughts i.e. favorite songs, etc.... On other threads, we discussed somewhat locums & itinerants... I am curious about all the surgical types opinions on the "concierge physician". The initial reports are MJ's concierge was a non-board "cardiologist".

I was watching Dr. Sanjay Gupta with such a physician (i.e. concierge) on CNN. Apparently, she makes about 150k/year/client. She has about 20 clients. So, the interview follows her on a house call. She goes to see some well to do spray tanner in hollywood. She is apparently seeing him to assess for "strep throat". She looks in his mouth.... finishes visit with a shot.... It turns out she gave the guy a shot of "toradol".

I don't know. I have never prescribed or received toradol for a sore throat and/or flu or URI symptoms.

I like the Man in the mirror song.

Along this line, anyone see the new show "Growing Pains" or something? On USA Network? It's a show about an emergency doc who gets fired from his hospital for treating a sick kid instead of one of the donors of the hospital, and the donor died. So, after getting fired, he, his hilariously funny business minded brother, and his really hot Indian PA, go open a concerige practice in the Hamptons and treat beautiful healthy white people, with hilarious consequences.

It's a good show, kinda funny. Reviews call this "doctor" a cross between House, McGuyver, and McDreamy. It's stupid. I just hope the public doesn't take it very seriously as another example of "oh, another example of how doctors can make so much cash and lead lavish lives!" in this time of upcoming healthcare reform...

I liked Man in the Mirror too

I figured I would open this one up for those interested. The whole event of death raises numerous interests. Seems like many thoughts i.e. favorite songs, etc.... On other threads, we discussed somewhat locums & itinerants... I am curious about all the surgical types opinions on the "concierge physician". The initial reports are MJ's concierge was a non-board "cardiologist".

I was watching Dr. Sanjay Gupta with such a physician (i.e. concierge) on CNN. Apparently, she makes about 150k/year/client. She has about 20 clients. So, the interview follows her on a house call. She goes to see some well to do spray tanner in hollywood. She is apparently seeing him to assess for "strep throat". She looks in his mouth.... finishes visit with a shot.... It turns out she gave the guy a shot of "toradol".

I don't know. I have never prescribed or received toradol for a sore throat and/or flu or URI symptoms.

I like the Man in the mirror song.

A more medically interesting, and surgically relevant story, would be Farrah Fawcett's anal cancer. Is it really anal cancer? Or is "anal cancer" being used as a catch-all by the media/lay public for rectal cancer, anal melanoma, or some other large growth where the sun don't shine?

As far as MJ songs, I don't have a favorite, but I do remember quite fondly as a child watching the Motown 25 thing on television when he first did his moonwalk thing...

A more medically interesting, and surgically relevant story, would be Farrah Fawcett's anal cancer. Is it really anal cancer? Or is "anal cancer" being used as a catch-all by the media/lay public for rectal cancer, anal melanoma, or some other large growth where the sun don't shine?


Eh, I think since she was fairly open about it, that if it were something like anal melanoma they would have talked about it, since its not something people really know about.

It was my understanding that she didn't have any surgery and underwent chemorad (Nigro). When she had a recurrence, she went to Germany instead of getting the APR...all of which argues for anal canal cancer.

Besides, the media are usually "delicate" about some of these things, so I would think they would call it colon cancer if they were trying to hide something.

A more medically interesting, and surgically relevant story, would be Farrah Fawcett's anal cancer...:hijacked:I grant the Farrah story is of interest... I think that too might be another thread.
The Farrah question can be addressed specifically on this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=642880...


I am really interested in more thoughts on the concierge medicine. This was particularly brought to forefront with MJ. Any thoughts ideas on that aspect? From the few "elite doctors" they have shown, I am markedly surprised at the abnormal/non-standard of care... i.e. toradol for URI/sore throat during a home visit to eval for strep throat???

I am really interested in more thoughts on the concierge medicine. This was particularly brought to forefront with MJ. Any thoughts ideas on that aspect? From the few "elite doctors" they have shown, I am markedly surprised at the abnormal/non-standard of care... i.e. toradol for URI/sore throat during a home visit to eval for strep throat???

Ha ha...in true SDN fashion, it only took 3 posts to veer off-topic!:laugh:

I LIKE the IDEA of concierge medicine. Its a service people want and are willing to pay for. Its nice for the physician who wants to focus on a few patients and is willing to make himself available pretty much anytime to those patients.

But it cannot be used a way for non-qualified people to practice non-standard/substandard medicine which the public is too dumb to know the difference.

I'd LOVE to cut out insurance companies. My office spends SOOO much time on the phone with them. Wouldn't it be great to have a cash only practice, to limit yourself to a few patients and say, "you pay me X dollars per year and all of your care <within some pre-set limit> would be covered"? Frankly, I'd love to be reputable enough to go to a cash only practice...pipe dream at best, early in my career and in this economy.

...I LIKE the IDEA of concierge medicine. Its a service people want and are willing to pay for. Its nice for the physician who wants to focus on a few patients and is willing to make himself available pretty much anytime to those patients.

...Frankly, I'd love to be reputable enough to go to a cash only practice...pipe dream at best, early in my career and in this economy.I guess I would love it too. I'm quite curious how you get into the game. Are there agencies?

But, it seems the people I have watched aren't so "reputable". I'm really curious about house call physicians giving shots of "oxycodone", "demerol", "toradol", and others....

I guess I would love it too. I'm quite curious how you get into the game. Are there agencies?

Good question. Here's an interesting article where insurance companies are claiming that such physicians are practicing as "unlicensed insurers": http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/703900?src=mpnews&spon=18&uac=85749DJ

There's a guy from Penn State who's doing it in NYC. Someone sent me the link awhile back to his website; too bad I can't find it.

But, it seems the people I have watched aren't so "reputable". I'm really curious about house call physicians giving shots of "oxycodone", "demerol", "toradol", and others....

Or Diprivan, in the case of MJ.

Along this line, anyone see the new show "Growing Pains" or something? On USA Network? It's a show about an emergency doc who gets fired from his hospital for treating a sick kid instead of one of the donors of the hospital, and the donor died. So, after getting fired, he, his hilariously funny business minded brother, and his really hot Indian PA, go open a concerige practice in the Hamptons and treat beautiful healthy white people, with hilarious consequences.

It's a good show, kinda funny. Reviews call this "doctor" a cross between House, McGuyver, and McDreamy. It's stupid. I just hope the public doesn't take it very seriously as another example of "oh, another example of how doctors can make so much cash and lead lavish lives!" in this time of upcoming healthcare reform...

I liked Man in the Mirror too

Growing Pains made me laugh. That show has happened. It's Royal Pains. And the dude's a CT surgeon. I promise I don't watch it, my uncle does and gave me the deets.

Growing Pains made me laugh. That show has happened. It's Royal Pains. And the dude's a CT surgeon. I promise I don't watch it, my uncle does and gave me the deets.

If you're talking Royal Pains then he is an EM doc. I know it is confusing considering the first episode where he evidently put stents or whatever into a guy. I actually felt ashamed watching a second episode, but evidently he was offered a job in another ED by some hot chick.

Ah. I thought in the pilot he says he's been "blacklisted" by CT depts when his fiancee is complaining about his joblessness. I think this is the reason USA has trouble getting ppl to watch their dumbass original series'.

Ah. I thought in the pilot he says he's been "blacklisted" by CT depts when his fiancee is complaining about his joblessness.

Probably by both Cards and CTS if he was placing stents as an EM doc.