Ouch!

by Sandy Cronan

I mourn the good old days

After working with physicians from 1968 through 1996, I feel compelled to make a comment or two about the current medical situation in the community where I reside. My first experience was with a GP who referred me to a dermatologist for excision of a small, uncomplicated lesion.

My next experience was needing a physician on a weekend and no one was available other than the emergency room doctor. A year ago I underwent a total hip replacement by an orthopedic surgeon and for all the necessary followups since, I have only seen his physicians' assistant.

My current situation (and I am basically healthy) is another sign of the times. I went to an internist for a physical who told me he "didn't do" pelvic exams and referred me to the physicians assistant in his office. I have since been followed by her and have been having problems with my right breast. During the past year, I have had 3 mammograms, 2 ultrasounds and consults with two gynecologists who disagree about the diagnosis.

And what is my point with all the complaining, you might ask? Of course, the obvious is that "things aren't the way they used to be", but a very important factor is the continued rise in medical costs with continual referrals and double billings, and very little time spent with the physician/PA. As an aside, I saw the last gyne yesterday and he was without a doubt, the most arrogant and rude physician it has been my misfortune to meet. So now it's back to the NP.

Thanks for listening - just wish there was some way of making medicine more affordable and easy to bear.

Addendum:

Today I saw the oral surgeon that my general dentist sent me to for an extraction. Nice guy but once again healthcare is different than it used to be. The new batch of dentists, particularly Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, now have M.D. after their names as well as D.D.S. Today's visit was just a preliminary visit to get acquainted and look at the tooth in question. I am to return in a week for the actual extraction which I am told should be a total of about 20 minutes, for a fee of $189 in addition to todays fee of $68.

Now - I do understand that this could all be the rantings of an older female who remembers when all things were better. I prefer to believe that the cost of healthcare (along with the cost of living) has risen to ridiculous proportions in just the last twenty years!