Does anyone else feel the same?

[Fritz]

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When I start thinking about how my life will be when I will finish my residency I am starting to be a little frightened. I have numerous issues with the way our health care system is. I am worried that I will have to practice medicine in a way that will make my practice to be profitable and not necessary in a way that will be to the best interest of my patients.
There are 40 million uninsured these days, and most likely their numbers are going to increase. If one of those people is coming to my door to treat him or his child, what am I to do? Do I just turn him away if he cannot pay? Am I going to have on my door one of those signs that says ?payment it is due at the time of service?? Will I have my receptionist tell them ?Sorry, but our office cannot see you unless you have money to pay for the service.?? This to me sounds so horrible! I don?t want to be like that. But then, how am I going to make a living if I treat patients for free?
Is anybody thinking about the same things? I want to know what people think about this. Is there anything that we, as future doctors, can do so that later on we don?t have to turn patients away because they cannot pay for our services?

Thanks,

Fritz.

 

[tova]

I agree with you. When I worked at a hospital, I saw that some doctors had their own patients with insurance or who paid out of pocket come to their office. But, in addition, they worked in the hospital's clinic for people w/o insurance x number of hours a week. It may have actually been a requirement to do something like that if one's office was located in a faculty building. I think I would do a mixture of things because I also would not want to turn away patients b/c of money.

 

[beriberi]

There are many ways to practice medicine. Work at a free clinic (those doctors get paid by state and federal agencies). Be a solo provider in a rural area (very good compensation packages--still can help people who need a doctor). Work in an academic position (no need to turn away anyone, salary is paid by the univeristy). Specialize in EM, Radiology, Pathology (no choosing your patients in these specialties--you take all comers).

The health care system is a mess. That doesn't mean you don't make choices about how you practice medicine. People make good money without compromising their beliefs.

 

[zephyr_97]

Fritz,

I totally understand your concern and as someone interested in primary care, I can't see myself turning away patients. Since the system is broke, why not fix it? I plan to take a year off from school and get a MPH in Health Policy so that I know what I can do to help, in terms of policy level. It is surprising to me that most of my classmates are somewhat socialist when it comes to health care.

Z.