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Health Care Reform Reflection

Doctors in the crosshairs…

Let’s start with a disclaimer: I am not complaining; I’m just stating the facts. Honest fact: The morale of doctors in the real world is low–and sinking lower. I know what you are thinking. “Come on Mandrola, you are nuts if you expect us to feel sympathy for doctors–of all professions.” Well…you can think that […]

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Doctoring Health Care Health Care Reform

Concierge medicine makes everyday a snow day. Implications for impending health care reform…

The interview, such as it was, happened on the walk in from the doctor’s parking lot.  As early morning approachability of doctors varies widely, one is especially cautious about starting conversations at this time of day. He had recently changed his very busy Internal Medicine practice to a concierge style practice.  Maybe because of this, […]

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Doctoring Health Care Health Care Reform

Why is paying a doctor so different?

Doctors going to a cash only system of payment is steadily increasing, and these changes are garnering much attention. Practicing medicine is a skill honed over many years of training and education.  Like any good or service, “doctoring,” has a value.  What this value is, has become a matter of much debate.   The payment […]

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General Medicine Health Care

Not complaining, just stating the facts…

The phone conversations are overheard.  The other doctor is new to the game of private practice and she meticulously explains the illness to a daughter.   This persists for about twenty minutes and at the end of the phone call the daughter suggests the doctor needs to talk with the son who is a surgeon […]