Recently, I read a controversial article in this forum. The blogger depicted how medical workers including physicians and hospitals take advantages of pts.
As a physician, I have practiced in this country over ten years; I would like to clarify some misleading information.
Although physicians seem to have lots of freedom to practice medicine, actually, it is highly regulated and has to practice standard of care. The liability is too high to stray away from it. Hospitals and insurance companies are constantly keeping a wearying eye on the physicians, such as: length of stay and the cost of care for each diagnosis, if the orders are medically necessary, etc. If not appropriate, hospital will not get reimbursed neither do the physician. Physicians have to practice within the standard.
Physicians are on call all the time, in and out hospital after midnight, and weekend, I think it is reasonable to have reserved parking. Why hospital has physician lounge so physicians don’t eat in the regular cafeteria? It is the places where physicians can rest and eat while have meetings such as CME activities, hospital quality control, modality and morbidity meetings etc. Also, to get curb side consult and second opinions from your peers and networking, etc. Some hospitals are free of charge for meal, but others do charge monthly.
Statistically, 25%-30% physicians in this country are foreign medical graduates. I am working in a large group. I have worked with doctors from
Naturally, in the health systems, we have nurses, pharmacy, lab appreciation months, in addition to the holidays and farewell party, weddings etc. Every one chips in and physicians contribute a major part, It never bothers me and in fact, it is much less dollar amount in comparison to
I really enjoy my job although it is hard and stressful sometimes. Some patients and families have followed me for ten years and I felt they are my friends. They bring me home made cookies, fruits and pecans from their backyard trees. My patient populations are very mixed, from well educated, lawyers, engineers, CEO’s and bankers, to patients not speak English, have to use phone translation service to communicate. I have to train medical students as well as residents. I am constantly learning and renewing. In the end of day, It is very comforting that I am certain that I have did the best for every pt, I have answered every message pt left me, called and discussed every lab results with pt and finished all the paper works for pt such as FMLA leave requests, home supplies requests and medication refill requests. I am usually the last one leaving the office.
I have two nurses helping me and we have mutual trust and they have to follow all the instructions. If the low level team member doesn’t play its role, the results are unimaginable and it is dangerous.
This is my side of story and I hope more physicians visit this forum can speak out and share your experiences.
