is it possible to have a medical student evaluate you instead of a Dr?

[ufblondi]

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I know that you can have dental students do the work on you for a much cheaper rate than an actual dentist. Is it the same for medical students? I have never had sense of smell (I am almost 21) and would really like to find out if it is treatable. I have been to an ENT who said once i had my tonsils removed it would help..didn't help...I was told it was because I had a really bad sinus infection (guess I had it for 20 years huh) and treated it "aggressively"...didn't help. Tried the nose sprays..Anybody have any suggestions?

 

[Supadupafly]

You don't HAVE to be seen by a docor specifically. That is, a PA or Nurse Practitioner could do it under a Physician's umbrella (except in certain states). In any case, it would cost the same. If you have insurance, it wouldn't matter. If you don't, you should try to get insurance through a public health/safety net avenue.

Whatever the problem, the solution will be either surgical or pharmaceutical, so you'll want insurance. Call your local health department.

 

[Gerg]

Go back to the ENT and tell him/her that the two things have not helped, or go to a different ENT.

Just a question. Did you ever have the ability to smell, or is it accurate that you never had the ability to smell?

If the latter is true, an ENT may not be able to help you (this is pure conjecutre on my part). I dunno.

http://info.med.yale.edu/chldstdy/plomdevelop/development/september.html

Bottom line, while a 3rd and 4th year medical student is getting a lot of clinical experience, and they are backed up with 2 years of basic medical science, the ENT has earned the title "Doctor", does CME to stay current, and is agueably an expert in medical disorders associated with the Ear, Nose, and Throat.

Supadupafly is right tho, get some insurance. And if your ENT is unable to help, call your congressman and tell them to vote for funding for human stem cell research.

 

[carrigallen]

Yes, the ENT will be able to clinically test you for your senses with special smell-books. There are other tests they can do, explaining the history of your problem is also important.
Some academic facilities have a special walk-in chamber which tests over 250 different odors, and has an air vacuum to insert and remove them. Usually though, this is reserved for special research studies since it is extremely expensive to buy and maintain.

 

[ericdamiansean]

My advice: Go see a real doctor

 

[pratik7]

My advice: Go see a real doctor

I volunteered at a health fair in atlanta where there were all types of docs doing consults and writing scrips for free (ENT included)...see if you can find one in your area

 

[JattMed]

I know that you can have dental students do the work on you for a much cheaper rate than an actual dentist. Is it the same for medical students? I have never had sense of smell (I am almost 21) and would really like to find out if it is treatable. I have been to an ENT who said once i had my tonsils removed it would help..didn't help...I was told it was because I had a really bad sinus infection (guess I had it for 20 years huh) and treated it "aggressively"...didn't help. Tried the nose sprays..Anybody have any suggestions?

If you are in the NewYork subway, be glad you dont have a sense of smell!