Comments for JeffreyMD.com

Comment on Double Vision by Darlena

Darlena — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:54:03 +0000

Thank goodness for these pictures. I have myasthenia gravis, diagnosed seven months ago. My ocular symptoms have been limited to drooping left eyelid and intermittent lack of focus in the right. Am taking Mestinon and have had everything under control until two days ago when I had my first experience with double vision. It looked exactly like these pictures. Was extremely scary. Even more so because I am out of the country and cannot contact my neuro. Anyway, took an extra Mestinon, sat still for about 20 minutes and it cleared up. Am not sure if this is an indication that my condition is worsening or if this was a one time thing. Anyway, thanks for the pics.

Comment on Physician Salaries on the Decline by John

John — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:27:31 +0000

Medical doctors in the United States enjoy appallingly inflated salaries. I attribute this problem primarily to the AMA, an institution which effectively enforces a chronic supply shortage in addition to unnecessary demand. The educational system is strangled by the withholding nature of the AMA, which prevents universities from properly responding to the enormous demand for training slots. This environment prevents equilibrium from occurring. Prescribing has been monopolized in spite of the fact that nurses and pharmacists are unquestionably competent enough to grant drugs in certain instances. Well-trained foreign doctors are subjected to unnecessarily lengthy re-training programmes. I could easily continue. Minimizing entrance barriers and burdensome regulations would resolve most of the problems we’re witnessing in the medical system.

Comment on Lessons Learned From First Year by dr.sms

dr.sms — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:21:02 +0000

hi jeff

very cool post and blog this is my first visit and i’ve bookmarked u

good luck in ur life and thanks for these advices

Comment on Physician Salaries on the Decline by Not a Doctor

Not a Doctor — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:26:29 +0000

I was seriously considering pursuing a career as a doctor until I started having conversations with extended family members in the profession. The amount of bitter you have to eat is amazing. The factors that were important to me in deciding not to become a physician were the following: extremely long work hours (50-70/week) and being on call, the brutality of residency (100+ hour work weeks, low pay, and the system used to assign residencies), the debt (it almost necessitates going for a high paying specialty), and the rising fraction of time spent dealing with bureaucracies (as opposed to time spent on patient care). I was most interested in family practice or endocrinology and was told flat out that I might have difficulties making ends meet. They all said they loved working in medicine, but that becoming a physician’s assistant or looking into medical physics (physics was my undergraduate major) might both be better options. The last nail in the coffin was the impending socialization of medicine. The idea of universal coverage is laudable and likely inevitable. However, there is a significant risk that physicians will be subjected to pay cuts and greater bureaucratic intervention. For now, I’m putting the idea of becoming a doctor on hold and looking at other options.

Comment on Do I Really Want To Do This? by Vanessa

Vanessa — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:45:35 +0000

I just recently completed my training to become an RN. I know that’s a far cry from where you are but, I long to become a physician. Seeing as though I am 33 years old I’ve decided the farthest I’ll probably go is Nurse Practitioner. I feel you should continue on. It seems that you are in it for the best reason and that’s for the patients. That alone says a lot about you

Comment on Lessons Learned From First Year by Bob

Bob — Fri, 15 May 2009 23:12:26 +0000

Cool blog, like what I read. Will be back to read more. Adding to RSS feeder. Bob

Comment on Lessons Learned From First Year by Sandy

Sandy — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:23:13 +0000

Hey this is good stuff. So glad you posted. I like reading blogs like this. Sandy

Comment on Lessons Learned From First Year by Irma

Irma — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:42:56 +0000

This is good info for us all. Glad you posted this. I will be subscribing to this blog. Irma

Comment on Physician Salaries on the Decline by IR Doc

IR Doc — Wed, 13 May 2009 02:32:31 +0000

John misses the point. As a group I don’t believe physicians are asking government to “do something.” On the contrary, we are hoping the government doesn’t implement laws and regulations that determine what we (I) should get paid. Many individuals without health insurance can afford it, but they choose alternatives such as flat screen televisions, better neighborhoods, 2 bedroom apartments rather than 1, nike shoes instead of non designer labels,and so on. Why is free health care the right of all individuals such as this? I do a job that took me 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, 5 years of residency and 1 year of fellowship — that,s 14 years of schooling after high school. Then I did 3 years as a junior partner in a radiology practice. Now I’m a partner and guess what, I drive a Honda Accord and still make wise financial decisions. Now, the government comes along and sets the value of my profession with the “relative value unit” so that a particular procedure has a particular value. Then, they decide to pay me only 80% of that value … and to cut the payment 5% each year over the next 10 years! Yes, I can survive on a much lower salary — so can you and everyone else. But where else does government determine what a nongovernmental worker should be payed? Oh yeah, in the bank takeover. It’s not so important the salary, but the fact that Uncle Sam feels that they have the right to control it. I for one and many others will not tolerate such a socialistic control over my livelihood. Take note of the courses being offered around the nation that help give physicians the ideas and resources to leave medicine and still live a productive (though less profitable) life. At least we again can work in a job where the ones who work hard and sacrifice can earn a salary commensurate with there effort (Did I mention 14 years of education and being on call every other week, being woken up all night long to leave my wife and kids to go to the hospital?) I won’t even discuss the horrendous hours I worked during my 14 years of training or the 10 years of governmental service I provided as an Air Force physician.

John, your comments are very shallow.

Comment on Lessons Learned From First Year by Frances

Frances — Mon, 11 May 2009 19:02:27 +0000

Thank you very much for taking the time to post this. Everyone should know about these things. I enjoy learning new things so I subscribe to blogs like yours. Frances