Why the doctor can't see you now

Seattle Post Intelligencer by S. Smiley Thakur | Nov. 21, 2008 (Opinion)

Physicians have been keeping a secret from you: The practice of medicine simply isn't a viable business. This reality affects not only the availability of doctors to care for patients, but also the quality of delivered care. After 10 years in full-time clinical practice, I decided to stop accepting Medicare and all private insurance. Such a move seems illogical to physicians and patients, but was made to preserve patient access to quality care. Physicians ... Full Story »

Posted by Dwight Rousu

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Subjects: U.S., Politics, Business, Health
Topics: Health Care, Medicare, Wellness
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Posted by: Posted by Dwight Rousu - Nov 24, 2008 - 3:05 AM PST
Reviewed by: Dwight Rousu (review), James Staley (review), Patricia Blochowiak (review)
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Edited by: Dwight Rousu - Nov 24, 2008 - 3:05 AM PST
Related Comments: Health Care (8)

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Patricia Blochowiak
3.0
 by Patricia Blochowiak - Nov. 24, 2008

While there is much to be said for this story, it would be much stronger if it differentiated between transplant physicians (and other subspecialists) and primary care physicians (including family practice physicians.) While most physicians would agree with the difficulties of dealing with a Medicare system that doesn't pay enough to support a physician's overhead, it may be true that subspecialists don't realize how much more cost effective primary care physicians are.

As a non-practicing physician who could easily write an article or two about the difficulties faced in practicing medicine, I would rather see a much more balanced viewpoint. Consider checking out www.aafp.org/fm

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Dwight Rousu
3.8
 by Dwight Rousu - Nov. 24, 2008

The opinion presents Thakur's concerns and viewpoints as a physician. It seems a worthy input into the discussion along with the views of consumers of medical services and health insurance.

Thakur seems to take a Republican stance on interstate health insurance that ignores the critical problem that it would strip oversight by state insurance commissioners.

Dwight posted this story.
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James Staley
3.6
 by James Staley - Nov. 24, 2008

Mr. Thakur provides a lot of numbers and reasons in making his case that the practice of medicine isn't a viable business under current rules and regulations of our government and insurance companies. An interesting insider's look at the practice and business of modern medicine.

Of all the many numbers Mr. (Dr.) Thakur provides us, the average annual income of medical doctors is not among them. My experience is that medical doctors generally are economically well off and as governed by a greed similar to that of the Wall Streeters and corporate CEOs.

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