Medical School Forum

Do we need more doctors?

Thu Sep 02, 2010 1:30 pm

by IMNOTDRPHIL (Posted Thu Sep 02, 2010 1:30 pm)

CaribMD wrote:Yet thats not true, you are saying there is only one way to cut costs and that is the practitioner.

The practitioners are the easy target since about all they can do is refuse to see certain patients. The health care system is far, far from a free market and the major price-setter in the market is the government. They simply say "here's what we will pay, take it or leave it" with their reimbursement rates. Private insurers frequently set their reimbursement rates based on what the government does. All of that pricing pressure comes down right on the providers. What kind of pressure is on payers to reduce their take? Little to none on the government, since they're the government and they pretty much can do what they want. (They have weapons we can't have, fines, and jails, plus you can't sue them without them agreeing to it. How in the world can you challenge that?!) Private payers have little competition due to a bunch of rent-seeking laws, and the new Obamacare laws remove the one control left, that is that companies can simply forgo offering health insurance if the rates are too expensive. So there you go, that's why the pressure is almost all on the practitioners. There are a lot of ways to reduce overhead and prices without affecting practitioners' reimbursements, but the chance of much of that happening is slim to none due to the noncompetitive landscape for the payers.

The costs of a Physician have already been cut in most cases and now its the cost of the Treatments themselves, the drugs.

There is some to cut there, but not a whole lot. Most prescriptions written are for generic drugs that cost less than five bucks a month. The expensive ones are new drugs, expensive-to-manufacture drugs, or rarely-used drugs. New drugs tend to only be heavily used by most providers when older, less-expensive drugs fail or are contraindicated for some reason or if the new drug is the only good treatment for a particular disease. Expensive-to-manufacture drugs like biologics are going to be expensive no matter what since you can't ask a company to lose money in making the drug and prices won't come down unless there is a breakthrough in how the drug is made. Rare drugs are also expensive no matter what since it takes a lot of fixed cost to go and manufacture a drug, and that cost doesn't get to be spread over millions of prescriptions. Again, you can't ask a company to lose money in making a drug and expect them to do so.

Drugs and Hospitals cost way more then they should. The care in some Hospitals is substandard due to the need to make profit.

If that were really true, then costs in nonprofit hospitals would be far less than those in for-profit hospitals. But they are not. The real reason that costs so high are that the amount hospitals have to pay is extremely high as well. Medical care is just naturally expensive because it requires a lot of very highly-skilled people and specialized equipment and supplies. And then you add on a lot of overhead of medico-legal issues, regulations, and a lot of unpaid care and you get a recipe for something that absolutely pole-axes your wallet.

Profit is the true and real evil of medicine.

There you made me go and say it, yet its true.

No, crushing government involvement is the real evil of medicine. You basically refute your own argument that profit is evil below, just read on.

Of course Doctors, Nurses, and Hospitals need to to make a Living

And that living results from a difference between the money taken in from fees and the money spent in direct patient care. In other words, profit.

and Physicians have the ultimate responsibility of Patient outcome, yet the Hospitals in some cases are the ones making the huge profits and you are saying that insurance is looking to water down the quality of care with physicians.

Many hospitals are in dire financial trouble and are losing money hand over fist. Quite a few have closed down or have limited the care they provide to stay afloat. They're not raking in the bucks, that's for certain.

Insurance companies themselves ( refusing treatments that in many cases would lead to lower costs in the end)

And who is the worst among the insurers? The government programs, particularly Medicaid.

Lawyers and law suits

Which are enabled by the government.

these are the real monsters destroying our health care along with GREED.

Greed in health care is not good.

The real greed that I see in health care is the greed of politicians for more power. Power corrupts, as is evidenced in spades if you've been paying any attention to all of the corruption and abuses investigations going on recently.

I know its not popular but I think we need to restructure healthcare without loosing the best trained people to save money. There are so many other ways to cut cost.

The way to do that is to return health care to being between the doctor and the patient with NOBODY else coming in between. Not the government, not third-party payers, not lawyers, nobody. That will not only cut out the majority of the middlemen and reduce overhead, but will return the decisions on what gets paid for and what doesn't to the patient. Sure, it's not perfect as some people would have to do without, but it's the same way that we allocate almost all other scarce resources in the country. This current system is little removed from a communist centrally-planned command economy, and we know how well that works- how well is that Iron Curtain doing these days?

JD into MD. Please advise.

Thu Sep 02, 2010 9:58 am

by CaribMD (Posted Thu Sep 02, 2010 9:58 am)

ramcla2016 wrote:As a fellow JD applying to med school, doing some of the pre reqs at CC should be fine. Having taken classes at both the local CC and local 4 year university, take what you can at the CC and some upper level science at the university. This will give you time to enroll at the 4 year university - the CC you can start next semester. Look at extension courses at the university too - these are cheaper than day enrollment and carry same weight.

Get exam krackers audio and books and do the questions. Getting into med school is harder than law school. Actually there is no comparison.

Go to the CC and think about doing the EMT program - gives you real clinical experience and shows your interest.

Already had 4 interviews this year and hoping to start in Aug 2011! This has been a 2-3 year process though.

Yes I agree with this within this idea
the "Weed out courses" for everyone is Organic Chem
Possibly physics

I know what was said and I'm trying to propose the best, in spite of that the nest best is what you posted.

the least best is taking all science at community college.

Its hard for me to post everything, but if you take online science courses for prereqs then its a chance and a risk.

That may change and is based on the past few years.

If schools change then good I would love for them to, I think online science courses should be counted the same since you take the same tests and the MCAT shows your ability as well.

Need advice on whether ALL trancripts should be turned in?

Thu Sep 02, 2010 9:47 am

by CaribMD (Posted Thu Sep 02, 2010 9:47 am)
I have covered this many times
Omission is a lie
If you lie you run the chance of getting caught
when your caught lying you are then kicked out of medical school

They check your history, it may show you have attended a college you did not report

They now do background checks on applicants for medical school.

If you lie you risk a lot.

True story here,

Last year the USMLE sent out a letter warning of being in possession of questions from the test. One particular case they explained how a medical student was caught with original USMLE questions, they were then barred from ever taking the USMLE and kicked out of school.

CHeating and lying will ruin your life.

Don't do it.

What type of suit is appropriate for women for interviews

Thu Sep 02, 2010 7:05 am

by anntaylor (Posted Thu Sep 02, 2010 7:05 am)
u have to prepare urself instead u r not doing modeling on interview

Chances of getting into med schools with your scores

Wed Sep 01, 2010 7:08 pm

by medschoolhope (Posted Wed Sep 01, 2010 7:08 pm)
yea i know the ugpa sucks, but neither my ivy league undergrad nor ivy league grad degrees were inflated at all. Its been pretty competitive all the way through. unfortunately it took me a while to get into a confident comfortable groove.

What is a Surgical Technician?

Wed Sep 01, 2010 12:12 pm

by kolol (Posted Wed Sep 01, 2010 12:12 pm)
This was a really very good technique that you put up here... …..hope that it benefits all the ones who land up here.

New cells discovered in Romania (telocites)

Wed Sep 01, 2010 8:20 am

by healthvita (Posted Wed Sep 01, 2010 8:20 am)
Romanian scientists have discovered a new type of cells, called telocites, which could join the stem cells in the regeneration and repairing of the human body, the Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology of Bucharest announced on Monday, Xinhua informed.
"The cells were in existence but they were not been observed," said institute director Laurentiu Mircea Popescu, adding that the scientists had been working on a certain type of cells in the human body and came across these.

Read all at http://healthvita.blogspot.com/2010/08/ ... mania.html

Volunteer - Shadow a Doc - Patient experience

Wed Sep 01, 2010 3:06 am

by Boxter987 (Posted Wed Sep 01, 2010 3:06 am)
I see posts often about needing these three things for applying to med school. Can somebody explain them further? Also, how many hours are required and maybe how to actually find a position to achieve these goals?

Thanks

EMT Basic Certificate

Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:20 am

by kimsmarkin (Posted Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:20 am)
EMT-1 is the first layer of the emergency medical technician training. Technicians at this level are able to provide basic care - such as CPR. EMT-1 is also known as professional first responders, because they have not received the amount or level of education of a paramedic, but their ability to assess the patient's condition and manage a situation of emergency case of a blocked airway or other injuries.

Boston Med

Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:18 am

by kimsmarkin (Posted Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:18 am)
Boston catches by Hopkins Peabody Award-winning left, goes even further in the lives of parents and revolutionary medical cases they face within the walls of the finest hospitals in America. In this first series of eight hours, the unforgettable stories of doctors, nurses and patients skilfully woven to bring every hour pace and intensity of a drama.

Fringe

Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:10 am

by kimsmarkin (Posted Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:10 am)
This show is not set to detect conspiracies of government, no vulgar language, no topless, no artificial humour. The victory by appealing to the imagination, based on scientific progress, but not limited to what makes history very interesting and enjoyable, which is also credible.

Hopkins

Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:08 am

by kimsmarkin (Posted Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:08 am)
Neither am I completely lost the first Hopkins, where I lost track. And Boston 24 / 7 * I know I have lost sight of. The description sounds great - for those of us who will go home tonight and deconflict our DVR to record at Hopkins in the tuner * loves * ABC.

I have found my calling, and I know that it won't be easy.

Tue Aug 31, 2010 11:51 pm

by TriagePreMed (Posted Tue Aug 31, 2010 11:51 pm)
You have to be completely irrational to want a Caribbean MD over a DO.

That said, I also graduated with a 2.77. It will take me 61 units with a 4.0 to get it to a 3.2, but at least I'll have a 3.8 sGPA in my case. At this point I will apply to SMP at both USMD affiliated universities AND DO affiliated universities. If you don't do an SMP, your chances with lower than a 3.4 are very low for USMD.

Since you don't want to do DO, I won't tell you how many more advantages there are to that.

Does undergrad prestige carry any weight in admissions?

Tue Aug 31, 2010 10:36 pm

by clee46 (Posted Tue Aug 31, 2010 10:36 pm)
Do medical schools take into consideration the competitiveness of your undergraduate institution and/or the difficulty of the program you graduated from when they look at your gpa (and your entire application for that matter)? I am asking because I graduated with a less than stellar undergraduate GPA but in the top-ranked program for my major in the country. Would this carry more weight than an applicant with a slightly better GPA but in a less competitive school/program? (this is of course assuming all other aspects of our applications were identical)

Thanks in advance!

P.S. this being my first post, I wasn't exactly sure if this was the correct section. (I am a few years post-graduation so consider myself non-traditional)

Help! Should I even try applying?

Tue Aug 31, 2010 9:35 pm

by CaribMD (Posted Tue Aug 31, 2010 9:35 pm)

knpoduch wrote:Well I am definitely open to DO schools. I dont know about Caribbean schools because I am older and I have a family, animals and a mortgage. I am willing to move somewhere in the US if I have to, but I am also worried about the cost. I already have some student loans from my undergraduate degree and I am pretty close to the limit of what I can get in federal student loans if I go to a state school in Florida. I checked around to the DO schools and the cost is much higher. Again, if I went there I would have to load up on personal loans, which I might be willing to do if I have to.

Medical school is different as far as loans, but you must be credit worthy.

Your allowed a huge debt.

Free Epocrates Essentials for Med Students

Tue Aug 31, 2010 7:36 pm

by Adminnaoum (Posted Tue Aug 31, 2010 7:36 pm)
Just heard from the Epocrates folks that today (8/31/10) is the last day to get Free Epocrates Essentials for medical students. It’s a $159 dollar deal for them, below is the link for more information.

http://www.epocrates.com/ma/FreeforMedicalStudents2010/

Recent graduate considering changing professions

Tue Aug 31, 2010 4:20 am

by othello2846 (Posted Tue Aug 31, 2010 4:20 am)
Big Earn, is that you man? I really can't believe that there could be more than one guy on this planet who calls himself Big Earn McCrackin. If it is you, it is crazy to randomly see you on here of all places. I haven't since you since we were in Japan together at MASS-2 back in '02 man! This is Chad Lewis. Let me know how you've been all these years. Looks like we both grew up and got degrees, huh? Next stop med school! Take it easy man, Semper Fi.

You're a Premed with a question? Read this

Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:32 am

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Applicants with disabilities

Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:31 am

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What Undergrad Major to Pick for Med school?

Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:30 am

by emilybaby006 (Posted Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:30 am)
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Why Seniors Wish They Were Freshmen...

Tue Aug 31, 2010 1:00 am

by cheechootrain (Posted Tue Aug 31, 2010 1:00 am)
Interesting...but I hate going back in time. Once is enough for me.

Med School Application: 15 lines for activities?

Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:59 am

by cheechootrain (Posted Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:59 am)
Hmm. Eating is an activity.

How do you feel about the process of becoming a doctor?

Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:57 am

by cheechootrain (Posted Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:57 am)
Highschool diploma

Complete undergraduate degree at a university or college
Complete Pre-Med Requirements
Take MCAT
Apply to Med School

Attend Med school for 4 years

Graduate from med school and you're a doctor

Apply for residency etc..

Becoming a doctor is becoming very competitive. You need to be good in the sciences and work hard to have a chance at medical school. People have different reasons to pursue a degree in medicine, but if your mind is in the right place, you'll be fine.

Health Information Technician Schools

Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:10 am

by peterjames1 (Posted Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:10 am)
Through Health Information Technician Schools we can get many information for that. They can provides all information for that health related information and all details for that health information related schools.

Healthcare

Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:06 am

by peterjames1 (Posted Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:06 am)
Healthcare is the treatment and prevention of illness. Health care is delivered by professionals in medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy and allied health.

CaribMD help!! other mods advice also welcome!

Mon Aug 30, 2010 1:12 am

by medhope (Posted Mon Aug 30, 2010 1:12 am)
Thanks to everyone who replied, your advice is greatly appreciated. Any other advice is welcome!

Why does wine oxidize to vinegar but not whisky?

Sun Aug 29, 2010 10:37 pm

by Ethnmad (Posted Sun Aug 29, 2010 10:37 pm)
how does the bacteria turns the unfermented processed wine into vinegar?

Hungary or the Caribbean?

Sun Aug 29, 2010 6:48 pm

by CaribMD (Posted Sun Aug 29, 2010 6:48 pm)

SWEngineer wrote:Thanks.

Based on your experience, how is the Caribbean graduate's reputation? In other words, if people are applying for a job, some graduated from western Europe (i.e; Hungary), and some from the Caribbean, who do you think has more reputation?

Neither has a good rep, you see in that respect American Doctors are biased to US grads. This gets argued but when I talk to Residency Director's, a FMG is a FMG.

That said Caribbean is a huge advantage due to the 2 years in US hospitals along side the US students, FMG's from other countries have a difficult time for Residency due to needing US experience and LOR's

Why do Navy personnel

Sat Aug 28, 2010 10:06 pm

by AL_emt (Posted Sat Aug 28, 2010 10:06 pm)
They are flame retardant. We wear them during general quarters and for drills. They are hot as hell and they suck. That is all.

Prepairing for MCAT with Pre-med courses

Sat Aug 28, 2010 9:22 pm

by AL_emt (Posted Sat Aug 28, 2010 9:22 pm)
Thirded. Where did the whole "upper level courses" myth get started? I'm hearing it more and more for some reason.