Health disparities?

[deleted212936]

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Not sure if this is considered a disparity : I've noticed that people who are on Medicare/Medicaid are treated differently besides the fact that they're sometimes rejected by some doctors. When these patients visit the hospital/clinic, they rarely rarely get to see a doctor even though the doc's name is on paperwork and it's their first visit; instead, they're assigned to other medical personnel such as RNs. Your thoughts?

 

[LizzyM]

Not sure if this is considered a disparity : I've noticed that people who are on Medicare/Medicaid are treated differently not to count the fact that they're rejected by some doctors. When these patients visit the hospital/clinic, they rarely rarely get to see a doctor even though the doc's name is on paperwork and it's their first visit; instead, they're assigned to other medical personnel such as RNs. Your thoughts?

Health disparities usually refers to differences in outcomes.... one group having greater morbidity and/or mortality in comparison to another group or in comparison with the total population. It can mean coming to medical attention at a later stage of disease, getting less than optimal therapy (guidelines specify xyz and some subpopulations do not get z as frequently as the general population).

 

[deleted212936]

I was a translator so I saw cases when the RNs made diagnoses and gave treatments (doctors didn't meet the patients at all). IMO, RNs are not as well equipped as physicians. Correct me if I'm wrong: RNs can HELP perform diagnostic tests and analyze results but cannot directly make diagnoses and replace the role of the physician.

So, is it right to say that this is a disparity because Medicaid receivers sometimes don't get equal access to healthcare?

 

[LizzyM]

I was a translator so I saw cases when the RNs made diagnoses and gave treatments (doctors didn't meet the patients at all). IMO, RNs are not as well equipped as physicians. Correct me if I'm wrong: RNs can HELP perform diagnostic tests and analyze results but cannot directly make diagnoses and replace the role of the physician.

So, is it right to say that this is a disparity because Medicaid receivers sometimes don't get equal access to healthcare?

Nurse practioners and other advance practice nurses can provide some diagnosis and treatment operating under treatment protocols signed off by a medical director (physician). This is quite routine at small college health centers, at quickie clinics in pharmacy and other retail stores, etc. There is no rocket science at examining and prescribing for many common infections and other minor problems.

Being treated by a nurse practioner is not solely in the realm of Medicaid patients. My children's routine pediatric visits (in a private practice) are almost always done by a nurse practioner.

In terms of health disparities, look at statistics on infant mortality, premature birth, low birth weight, death rates for cancer of the prostate, breast, etc, survival after heart attack.