Headlines I Wish I Hadn’t Seen

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  1. Brian says:

    Very disappointed on all of these headlines. I would like to know if there are certain hospitals where nurses are more likely than at other hospitals to not respond to patients.

    It is just aggravating for physicians to interrupt.

  2. Matt says:

    Not at all surprised by the data about the physicians interrupting. I feel like this is almost always my experience, especially with specialists for some reason.

  3. Buster says:

    Reinhardt: for publicly insured low-income families, including the elderly … politicians could effectively ration health care without ever acknowledging that that was what they were doing.

    To some degree, this already occurs in Medicaid. Under the Affordable Care Act, it is likely to occur in Medicare once IPAB slashes Medicare doctor fees to the point that few doctors will want to see Medicare-enrolled patients.

  4. Devon Herrick says:

    “There’s some data to suggest that the average patient gets to speak for between 12 and 15 seconds before the physician interrupts them.”

    I’ve seen research like this before. Of course, it’s hard to draw any serious conclusions from anecdotal evidence. Doctors have a tough job coordinating all the patients that present for care throughout the day. Some retired patients suffering from multiple, chronic conditions would undoubtedly chitchat all day long if allowed. The ability to quickly listen to a patient’s problem, get them out the door (prescription in hand) and get the next patient in the exam room might well be the difference between a money-losing practice and a profitable and one with a comfortable living.

    Primary care physicians are especially having problems seeing enough patients each day to make a living.

  5. brian says:

    To those doctors who want to rush things, I would say if you can’t do it right, then don’t do it at all (meaning work in a different field that doesn’t require face-to face meetings with every one of you patients)