tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20108635.post4933381969419950774..comments2023-10-01T10:18:00.072-04:00Comments on Plastic Surgery 101: McAllen, Texas - America's failing experiment in health care cost control.Dr. Rob Oliver Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09059882318849767896noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20108635.post-74579862160562876972009-06-16T10:42:00.678-04:002009-06-16T10:42:00.678-04:00I would have to question whether you see your pati...I would have to question whether you see your patients as the ATM that illustrated Dr. Gawande's article, when you say that of course you can view patient care as potential revenue opportunities.<br /><br />Great care must be taken when a physician recommends treatment that includes a direct financial benefit to her/himself.<br /><br />I do believe that loss of trust from our patients is a casualty in this way of doing business.<br /><br />Patient-centered care must be the standard - business and financial benefit cannot be a consideration in treatment plans. Of course, treatment plans result in a financial benefit for someone and no reason it cannot be the physician making the recommendation, but be prepared to defend your recommendation - without resentment and arrogance - if your motives are questioned.<br /><br />Personal responsibility also includes responsibility to behave and respond in a way that may leave you with a few less dollars in your pocket.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20108635.post-47472888784378069362009-06-16T02:39:56.916-04:002009-06-16T02:39:56.916-04:00Anon,
I'd disagree with the blanket statement...Anon,<br /><br />I'd disagree with the blanket statement that you "can't use patient care as increased revenue potential for your business". Of course you can, and we should be encouraged to dovetail areas where our financial interests and patient care can peacefully coexist. It's never laid out in the article exactly what was inappropriately done on a given patient. A $ sign on medicare expenses for a metro area tells you very little about any given patient.<br /><br />I used the example of my office OR which can achieve signigant cost savings with faster discharges and lower infection rates then a hospital can. Patients would overwhelmingly choose this setting over a hospital campus for outpatient procedures if their insurer would pay us to use it.Dr. Rob Oliver Jr.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09059882318849767896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20108635.post-3986443352411858132009-06-15T11:43:28.033-04:002009-06-15T11:43:28.033-04:00I think the point of Dr. Gawande's article is ...I think the point of Dr. Gawande's article is that the focus in some of these "businesses" has become business - and not patient care. Decisions are being made based on revenue potential, not best practices. The practice has become business-driven, not patient-driven.<br /><br />Absolutely, every physician needs to understand that her/his practice is a business and manage it appropriately, but you can't use patient care as increased revenue potential for your business. How can patients trust the recommendations of their physicians? Is it best for me or for your bottom line?<br /><br />We complain about loss of trust from the public. This is part of the reason.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20108635.post-31159629032810435702009-06-06T21:13:27.448-04:002009-06-06T21:13:27.448-04:00I have been doing much more reconstruction lately,...I have been doing much more reconstruction lately, but the cosmetic business pays over half the bill.DrDiSaiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05857917037949980395noreply@blogger.com