Can we all say profit?

[Guest guest]

>Can we all say PROFIT?

PROFIT !

ne (teacher), and all,

When asked why my visits last only 10 min. on average in comparison to

homeopath doc lasts anywhere from 30 min. to 1 hour, my doctor revealed this

to me:

He acts as an intervener, prescribes FDA approved medicines,

and when I don't fit into a " classic group " , he sends me to a specialist.

RE: RLS symptoms, psychiatrist was the recommendation.

He has since been educated about RLS :-)

Everything has to be justified by lab tests and by the book, and when

answers fail to be obvious, see the specialists again.

Fear of lawsuits if treatment is outside of mainstream practices, as

they must be supported by the medical community in court, acceptable to

malpractice insurance companies and acceptable to health insurance

companies. New or controversial treatments is considered by my doctor

professional suicide. But he believes in them and practices complementary

medicine for himself and his family. But he won't recommend them as they

are outside of his health insurance guide lines.

High overhead costs and malpractice insurance leave little profit for the

average private practitioner, so the name of the game is " see as many

patients as possible " , prescribe what is to " heal " the patient quickly and

with as few side effects as possible. However, the ultimate decision is

mine, and I have never been forced to take something I was not comfortable

with; conventional or homeopathic.

My doctor acknowledges that because of the " risks " involved in being a

doctor today, they think like business men first, lawyer second, and

practitioner last while assessing the patient and prescribing meds.

This is a sign of the times we live in, and not necessarily a negative

reflection of this personality.

All of this does not make my doctor a bad doctor, but he must provide for

his family and earn an income like everybody else. I respected his honesty,

and we have a private joke: when I get in there to see him,

I ask him, before I sit down, if he's showing a profit. If he says NO, I

pretend to leave, because it's going to be a quickie visit. We have a good

laugh over it. :-) then he takes the time necessary to answer all of my

questions in detail. But, he's commented that he does not do this for

everyone. But he's also said most people don't ask; they take the

prescription and leave.

I am not saying ALL doctors are this way, mine is, and I for one, appreciate

knowing what the name of the game really is, in Canada, anyway. :-)

Ana Casinha, 34

Woodbridge, Ont.