American doctors

[Son of Clyde]

Did your wife think American doctors are terrible?

Mine apparently is not used to this scurrying around that doctors do from room to room. She said her doctor was with her from beginning to end.

I try to explain American medicine but she thinks the American doctor's spend too little time with each patient.

[Ste]

Same here with UK (read Asian) doctors here.

Here: Nice Hospitals, crap Doctors

There: Crap Hospitals, Nice doctors

Nadia took one of the kids to hospital, due to our GP being unable to speak English to a level high enough to understand us, and was dispatched after a cursory examination and a three hour wait.

I say nice hospitals, the A&E is like purgatory, snogging couples, groups of tough-looking hoodies, rubbish everywhere, glares from folks who think you've got seen before them.....

People sat in wheelchairs when they can walk perfectly well hoping for sympathy, 70p for a packet of crisps out of the machine, bored counter staff, the moment you walk into the place you are a profit centre, be careful they must not spend too much on you otherwise you are a loss-making profit centre.

And try telling the stupid bastards that "The Russian Federation" in Nadias passport is the same as "Russia" on their fkin stupid list of reciprocal agreements......

This Country....

Ste

[dostogirl]

[user=130]Son of Clyde[/user] wrote:

but she thinks the American doctor's spend too little time with each patient.

I agree with her on this one. I've lived in many countries (not only Russia) and I do admit that in general American docs spend too little time with patients for the money we pay here. My point of view on the American medical system is: doctors are great, system sucks. My husband's brother is a doctor, he agrees with me on that. But, I'll give you some adivce, if you don't mind. Do not take your lady to a big hospital or a clinic. Generally docs are so busy there having lists of patients waiting, they can't possibly spend more than 5-7 min with you and the wait is just horrible (takes hours..). Try to find smaller practices (one or two doctors), they care about patients more, besides they have to do EVRYTHING possible so the patient comes back - it's their business. I tried big hospitals and totally gave up on them. Now I found some docs that are the only one in a practice. They spend at least 15 min with me, great service, etc.

[dostogirl]

Same here with UK (read Asian) doctors here.

Here: Nice Hospitals, crap Doctors

There: Crap Hospitals, Nice doctors

Medical systems in FSU and in the US differ greatly. They way people are treated,  types of medicine prescribed, everything is different. It's normal to compare at first. When you meet something you do not understand or something that has been done completely different, it's natural to have doubts..

[Son of Clyde]

I have taken her to my doctor and his female assistant for a female exam. My wife said the lady doc did nothing. Not a thorough exam. I have good family health insurance so it costs $15.00 a visit with a 10 - 20 minute wait. So it really isn't so bad. The bad part is the lack of attention from the doc. left her waiting in a room for 15 minutes.

[dostogirl]

[user=130]Son of Clyde[/user] wrote:

My wife said the lady doc did nothing. Not a thorough exam.

Your lady has to realize that here in the US they do not test you for every possible bacteria (like they do in Russia). It's just too expensive and your insurance may not cover it. Besides, here in the US some of the "deseases" that exist in Russia are not deseases at all, esp. sexually transmitted bacteria (like ureaplasma or mycoplasma) which has been a problem for a lot of RW (jdging by Russian forums). Lack of any medical knowledge makes a lot of RW think that doctors in the US suck.

[Son of Clyde]

dostogirl,

I wish you could relay this message to my wife.

Unfortunately she thinks these boards are frequented by men looking for women and not by men supporting each other.

She needs at least another 4 months in the US to get a rudimental understanding of how things work.

[KenC]

Clyde,

She needs at least another 4 months in the US to get a rudimental understanding of how things work.

I think that is wishful thinking on your part.  Try another year and a half.

KenC

[dostogirl]

She needs at least another 4 months in the US to get a rudimental understanding of how things work.

I think that is wishful thinking on your part.  Try another year and a half.

KenC
[/quote]I have to agree with KenC  It takes a looong time to get used to a new country, to learn most of the processes and systems here.. My first year in the US I had some really bad experiences with doctors. But I followed the advice, changed my docs, found better ones, tried more than one opinion (when I've though docs didn't do the right thing). Now I don't have any problems with them. Usually when I go to a doctor I tell him/her how it is done in Russia, so they can tell me how it's done in the US and why...

[catzenmouse]

She needs at least another 4 months in the US to get a rudimental understanding of how things work.

[size="3"]I think that is wishful thinking on your part.  Try another year and a half.[/size]

[size="3"]KenC[/size][/quote]
 We're sitting at here being here just over a year now and I've  not successfully won the doctor/medical system battle to get her to go.  She went once early on and we did have to go for Sergei's medical exam  for school and they both had to go for an exam for the AOS. None of  these experiences did anything to give her a bit of confidence in the  people or the system. In fact, the Gov't approved Civil Surgeon screwed  up her paperwork and we have to get him to redo it which delayed her  paperwork for at least 6 weeks.

 I did get her dental work done without any issue but the doctor  is a whole different story. KenC is probably right on with the time  frame. At least I'm hoping it will only be another year or so...

Ken

[KenC]

After six years (and mucho denero), Lena has absolute faith in our denistry.  She has "almost" admitted that our doctors "may" have better training, but is still in search for "just the right" doctor for her.

KenC

[LarsXYZ]

[user=130]Son of Clyde[/user] wrote:

Did your wife think American doctors are terrible?

 

Hi, these lists from WHO should end the discussion. Medicine in FSU can't in any way compare with western countries:

http://www3.who.int/whosis/country/compare.cfm?country=DNK&indicator=PcTotEOHinIntD&language=english

Show your wife that:D

regards Lars

[Son of Clyde]

Lars,

I believe you but some people will not part with their preconceived ideas that what they left behind was superior in every way.

[TigerPaws]

 Never try to confuse someone with facts that contradict their preconceived ideas.

[BC]

Have to disagree a bit with you Lars..

Total expenditure includes salaries of doctors, nurses and other support staff.. probably the largest portion of the expenditure in the charts you referenced.  Also docs here tend to overprescribe pills for the most minor aliments.

I'm pretty sure there are some very good doctors in FSU as there are many places..  It's important to find a good doctor regardless where you are.  There are quite a few Europeans going to former FSU countries for elective surgery and dental work at lower cost.  Many but not all patients are giving quite good marks.

A full gas tank won't fix a bad engine.

[RussianGal]

[user=130]Son of Clyde[/user] wrote:

Did your wife think American doctors are terrible?
...she thinks the American doctor's spend too little time with each patient.

Yes, I do too.
I agree with what was said earlier.

IMHO,  the doctors I personally dealt with:
- spend little time with their patients, don`t ask enough questions;
- don`t listen to what a patient has to say;
- often give stronger than needed medicine.

  As for Russian doctors (well, in my case, Belarussian doctors) I think (again, I can speak only for those I met myself) they seem to be more interested in your well-being, they are more caring and very professional. They ask plenty of questions and like to scare you..
(as opposed to my US doctors who always say to me: 'It`s not a big deal, just drink ____ and you`ll be alright..')

[KenC]

By the way, welcome to RWD, Russian Gal.  It is always nice to get a RW's view of things here.

KenC

[TigerPaws]

RussianGal,

 Welcome to the board:

 You are right, welcome to Amercan medicine. Hurry up and wait, take this, go away and be sure to leave your money on the way out.

[Son of Clyde]

Thank you, Russian gal.

I have heard the doctors in FSU can be very dedicated.

I just don't think the technology is as advanced as in the west.

You can receive great compassionate care from the doctor but are the medicines and equipment up to western standards? Are there oncology centers, dialysis centers and labs that can compete with the US?

All I know is that I was advised by many people that if I got sick in the FSU to be evacuated to the US or to find a US doctor.

[RussianGal]

Thank you for welcoming me, guys!

[user=130]Son of Clyde[/user] wrote:

.. I just don't think the technology is as advanced as in the west.
..You can receive greatcompassionate carefrom the doctor but are the medicines and equipment up to western standards? Are there oncology centers, dialysis centers and labs that can compete..

  Good question. Well, I`m sure in small FSU villages/towns you won`t find a lot of good/expensive equipment, but I lived my whole life in big cities where one can find medical care of good quality.
   Nowadays, with free hospitals,  we also have clinics which charging for their services. They seem to be equipped pretty good as well as receive special training abroad.

   But, if we speak about some really serious health problems when an extensive sergury is required, than yes, sometimes the equipment and qualification of doctors does not meet requirements and we have to go abroad or hire foreign specialists, which eats up a lot of money we don`t have.
 
  I just recently watched a very toughing documentary about children born with congenital heart defects (blue babies) and, regrettably, back home in Belarus this kind of illness goes untreated/undetected very often. And so  we have  The International Children's Heart Foundation volunteers coming to Belarus to help, God bless them.

[Bruno]

But, if we speak about some really serious health problems when an extensive sergury is required, than yes, sometimes the equipment and qualification of doctors does not meet requirements and we have to go abroad or hire foreign specialists, which eats up a lot of money we don`t have.

I think that the problem is other... here in Belgium, near my village, the city of Gent have a very big university hospital... the professor responsible of the pediatrie section and the professor responsible of the cardiologie section are from Russia... In the past, they was russian doctor with great knowledge... during a seminaire in the University hospital from Gent, the responsible of the hospital have propose them to work there... very big income, chief of service, professor at university, possibility to work in modern university laboratory... who can refuse so proposition !!!

A lot of Russian doctor have good qualification but the best of them move to country who give them the best opportunity for work and research...

[mischief]

It is true that there are a lot of outstanding doctors and specialists on the territory of FSU and at school they study not only the area they will be specialized in but all other areas in medicine…

But the system, technology, equipment, research work leave much to be desired…

From my experience I feel much safer and comfortable in US; especially at the gyno…I still remember that I always wanted to get a drink :cool: before my visit to gynecologist and believe me I went only to the best private clinics in Minsk…  When I was pregnant  I just loved to go to the gynecologist office in TX… the two nurses were like mamas to me…

In the beginning I was surprised how short conversations with my doctor were… it was simply because FSU doctors do all the job, half (or more) of which nurses do over here… and another thing, not doctors are supposed to ask the questions but the patients (which is more logical)… it's vice versa in FSU system…  Only when I actually was giving birth I found out how great specialist my doctor was… how smooth and easy it can be...

I love the fact that you can call your doctor or the nurse with any concerns and worries any time day or night… how close they are monitoring you if it is something serious…

And my advice, if your wife doesn't like her current doctor, she can change him any time…  insurance does allow to change doctors every day if you want… there are more than plenty good specialists here and you can choose the one you are comfortable with… I loooved my clinic and doctors in Texas but was having harder time here in NY to find a good one, especially a pediatrician for my son.
I went through a lot of doctors … I was interviewing them, asking tons of questions and finally found the ones I'm happy with.

[latstaley]

Keep one thing in mind. At least here in the USA, being a doctor is not as rewarding as it used to be. Sure, they still make a pretty good salary, but it's not as high in comparison to a lot of other professions as it was, say, 20 or 30 years ago. Throw in an increasing dependence on large health insurance companies and rising malpractice insurance rates and it makes the doctor to patient relationship that much worse. A lot of doctors here in Nevada are going broke because they can't afford to pay their malpractice insurance and have been leaving the state. People don't appreciate what doctors do for people any more like they once did. In our lawsuit happy society, a lot of patients are just looking for any reason to sue a doctor and the lawyers actually run commercials on television encouraging people to file lawsuits against them. The medical profession can be a pretty depressing endeavour to begin with, especially if you are treating people that are in failing health or suffering. Most doctors have miserable home lives and that is a very high pressure profession. You couldn't pay me enough to be a doctor today. The rewards for putting yourself through med school just to deal with a bunch of people that don't appreciate what you do just wouldn't justifiy it, in my mind.

[TigerPaws]

[color="blue"][size="4"] Back in northern California my next  door neighbor was an excellent general practitioner (GP), he was also my family  doctor for many years and while I would not want him to attempt brain surgery on  me for the general day to day needs he is very competent. He shared a nice multi  physician office though each had their own staff, exam rooms, equipment and  practice, the problem is that his malpractice insurance cost him $250,000.00  dollars per year in 2005 and was considered normal for a GP in  California.[/size][/color] [color="blue"] [/color]  [color="blue"][size="4"]

 Now think about that for a moment,  before he would turn the lights on, before any of his staff of 4 walked in the  door, before he came into work he had that much overhead to pay just to be in  what is a one man business. Now add to that number, his salary, his health care  insurance, the lease on his part of the building, utilities, employees, their  health care and normal operating expenses. Then figure out how many people he  has to see every day just to stay in business and their is not enough hours in  the day, personally I do not know how he stays in business.[/size][/color]

[solomon]

[user=130]Son of Clyde[/user] wrote:

Did your wife think American doctors are terrible?

Mine apparently is not used to this scurrying around that doctors do from room to room. She said her doctor was with her from beginning to end.

I try to explain American medicine but she thinks the American doctor's spend too little time with each patient.

Tell your doctor you specialize in medical malpractice and suddenly things change.