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Are doctors obsessed with money?

detriment · 2009-06-16 14:45:58

Given the stories we hear about overpaid consultants going on strike, and the ridiculous rates charged by most GPs for short consultations, who thinks that doctors are obsessed with moneys nowadays? I was disgusted a couple of years ago to be charged €20 for a prescription after having paid €40 for two five minute sessions…

16-06-2009 2:45pm

#1

detriment

Closed Accounts Posts: 18 ✭

Join Date: December 2003

Posts: 11

Given the stories we hear about overpaid consultants going on strike, and the ridiculous rates charged by most GPs for short consultations, who thinks that doctors are obsessed with moneys nowadays?

I was disgusted a couple of years ago to be charged €20 for a prescription after having paid €40 for two five minute sessions with a doctor. Discussing this with people, I've found that I practically got a bargain compared to what some doctors charge. More recently, I was charged €10 for a prescription for a product. When I went to the pharmacy, I was told I didn't need a prescription for it; so as far as I can see I was scammed out of €10.

Most disgusting of all to me is the entire cosy system that doctors have set up with consultants. First you pay to see your GP. Then you go for one or two short meetings with a consultant and get charged exorbitant rates. Then you pay for whatever treatment the consultant recommends. And not so long ago they went on strike because they were told they couldn't use public facilities at the taxpayers' expense for their private money-making.

It's also been my experience that doctors are very quick to prescribe expensive drugs. I'm not saying that they're extorting people on purpose. However, there was a very interesting documentary on the BBC about how doctors in America read about recent developments and recommendations for what to prescribe from journals sponsored by certain drugs companies. Is it possible that Ireland is becoming an over-drugged society like America? I know of at least one person who was misdiagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and put on drugs which ruined his health. I myself was misdiagnosed with a frankly ridiculous ailment. I also know that my dentist has leaflets for a certain brand of mouthwash in his waiting room and recommends it to all his patients. I presume he's not doing this out of his love for the product. Are there similar arrangements with doctors? I'm perfectly willing to be educated on this matter.

In short, I believe that some doctors nowadays are more interested in making money than in helping people. Does anybody agree with me? Does anyone have any stories to tell which might shed some light on the relationship between doctors and money in modern Ireland?

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