Confusion about Pediatrics

[Kitra101]

Hi,

I am a little confused about something. I listened to President Obama's speech last Wednesday at his town hall meeting and he said the following:

"Right now, doctors, a lot of times, are forced to make decisions based on the fee payment schedule that's out there. So if they're looking and -- and you come in and you've got a bad sore throat, or your child has a bad sore throat, or has repeated sore throats, the doctor may look at the reimbursement system and say to himself, "You know what? I make a lot more money if I take this kid's tonsils out."
Now, that may be the right thing to do. But I'd rather have that doctor making those decisions just based on whether you really need your kid's tonsils out or whether it might make more sense just to change -- maybe they have allergies. Maybe they have something else that would make a difference."

I was not aware that pediatricians performed tonsillectomies. Is this true or was this just him dragging the name of pediatrics through the mud?

Just curious - thanks!

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[Baby Einstein]

1) I highly doubt you're confused or "just curious" about this
2) I think you will get more bites in non-primary care forums
3) bye bye now

 

[BigRedBeta]

Obviously the decision making process described above is limited to someone who has the possibility of performing the options available. While this is not something a generalist pediatrician would be faced with, it certainly is within the realm of reason for an ENT doc. And while there is literature and research out there which provides guidelines from the evidence, you can only lead a horse to water. Financial pressures may force it to drink or not...

 

[oldbearprofessor]

Okay, so Harry Potter 6 was great, but Alice in Wonderland will be spectacular.

Coming out in March, same time as Scott Lynch's next installment in his fantasy series.

Anyone else have a book or movie they're waiting for?

Random thread in pedi has returned!

Interns - there is a life beyond night call....

 

[bjackrian]

Interns - there is a life beyond night call....

Especially if you have night float.

I have to say that going to happy hours and whatnot I like hanging out with my co-interns a lot better than my med school classmates--pediatricians are definitely more fun.

 

[Kitra101]

1) I highly doubt you're confused or "just curious" about this
2) I think you will get more bites in non-primary care forums
3) bye bye now

Baby E,

"Get bites?" It is your field that is being described in this light by this statement. As far as I know, no pediatricians do surgery. I am hoping someone will correct me if I am wrong, but this is an ENT thing. What child with a sore throat just goes to the ENT? Correct me if I am wrong, but it is the pediatrician who sees this case. If you don't mind having your effort and your entire field being dragged through the mud, ok - I do mind though. It is not just against specialists, as is apparent by this comment.

 

[WhatUpDoc!]

Okay, so Harry Potter 6 was great, but Alice in Wonderland will be spectacular.

Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter will be priceless!

 

[Sweet Tea]

Okay, I love Alice in Wonderland and I love Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, and Helena Bohnam Carter, but I'm tired of the Tim/Johnny/Helena love triangle. Can't they do something independently? Yes, I know Helena is a FABULOUS Bellatrix Lastrange, but she's getting type cast and she's too good to always be playing the off-her-rocker-power-trippy-lady-with-crazy-hair.

 

[Kitra101]

Well, I guess that about sums it up here. I will say that I am NOT a troll, but I am concerned about what is happening now to physicians and how once again we are the target or politicians, lawyers and business people. If you are all content with the angry mob coming after you, so be it.

In case you think I am making this up:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/vi...ey_instead_of_diagnosing_it_as_allergies.html