Do You Think Doctors Are Worth Their Fees?

robinph · 09-03-2010 11:44PM

28064212 wrote: »

Bring that in and enjoy your 3 month waiting list to get an initial consult. The fact that the fees are €50+ is the only thing stopping the flood of "ah me back's acting up a bit" and "my pee is a bit yellower than yesterday", not to mention the auld ones who come in for no other reason than a bit of complaining.

Not at all. Only ever had to wait a day, or maybe two if they were really busy, at most for an appointment with a GP in the UK. If there is something wrong with you then you'd get seen before the three days when you'd be needing the doctors note to get you off work.

I've no problem with them being paid that rate, I do have a problem with them actually taking the money directly from my pocket themselves.

SugarHigh · 09-03-2010 11:49PM

PhysiologyRocks wrote: »

Yes, I think doctors are worth their fees.

My health is priceless to me.

Exactly. Complaining about prices to see a doctor when you probably spend more on a night out to slowly kill your liver is hilarious though.

therokerroar · 09-03-2010 11:53PM

No chance.

I've often been in agony, but couldn't justify spending that much money for two minutes consultation.

I'd rather put up with the pain to be honest.

therokerroar · 09-03-2010 11:56PM

sesna wrote: »

Money well spent, you now have a diagnosis of a lifelong dietary intolerance thanks to an expert who has spent +15 years post-graduate study in his/her field. You were paying them for their expertise and time spent in obtaining their qualification, and not merely time spent with them.

I dont see how your GP is realistically supposed to send a blood sample (the cost of which you already complained about) and test for every possible virus/bacteria/inflammatory marker that may have caused a skin rash. Generally they will treat most probable cause because of cost implication (for you) of full scope of tests/examinations.

Perhaps you should try homeopathy if you have such little faith in allopathic medicine

Alright Doc?

sesna · 09-03-2010 11:59PM

therokerroar wrote: »

Alright Doc?

No

robinph · 10-03-2010 12:00AM

Making GP's free at the point of service would possibly mean a slight delay in you getting to see them, by a day maybe. But, you will get to se them, and as there is no disincentive to the patient to actually going to see the GP any condition is likely to be diagnosed sooner. Having to pay money out of your pocket on the day, rather than via taxes, will put people off seeing the GP, they then wait longer, and longer before going along to see them, whatever is wrong with them gets worse until they cannot actually live with it anymore.

Then it costs even more money to get that person back to full health again if possible, the state paing either directly for that healthcare but it is also loosing out as that is then a worker out of action for longer than was nessecary.

Free GP's will improve the overall heath of the country by making it easier for people to go and see them and get treated sooner.

bigeasyeah · 10-03-2010 12:04AM

No.

super_furry · 10-03-2010 12:04AM

€60 for a three minute consultation to tell me when I have a chest infection when I already knew that and only went so I could get him to write a prescription to clear it up?

No, I don't think doctors are worth their fee.

There's been many a time when I probably should have gone to the doctor but couldn't afford the €80 to €100 it would cost for a visit and medicines.

sesna · 10-03-2010 12:05AM

robinph wrote: »

Free GP's will improve the overall heath of the country by making it easier for people to go and see them and get treated sooner.

The state has proven itself to be completely incapable of running an efficient health service. The HSE and Mary Harney are an absolute disaster.

I don't want them to start meddling in the running of primary healthcare in this country also, something that is just about running okay as it is.

I dont think there is a serious case of people delaying medical treatment. If its something minor, they might try a few over the counter creams for example. If still no improvement, they fork out 50 euro for GP. If its really serious, they go straight to A&E and wait 15 hours to be even assessed by a nurse (because of the HSE).

sesna · 10-03-2010 12:15AM

super_furry wrote: »

€60 for a three minute consultation to tell me when I have a chest infection when I already knew that and only went so I could get him to write a prescription to clear it up?

A system is needed that doesn't allow aimless self-diagnosis and self-treatment with antibiotics. There are many other respiratory conditions/carcinomas that cause the signs and symptoms of a chest infection. Im sure you'd be more than happy to pay your plumber 100 euro though to install a new dishwasher.

My name is URL · 10-03-2010 12:17AM

They charge what they know the majority of people are able to pay.. it's a sad fact that there are people out there that fall above the line that entitles them to a Medical Card and below the line that allows them to visit a doctor in a timely fashion when they need to

They should charge on a sliding scale imho, but it'll never happen because those 'able' to visit the doc as much as they like would end up not visiting nearly as much

PrettyBoy · 10-03-2010 12:17AM

No, I don't.

I will not go to a doctor unless I absolutely have to. A few months ago I woke up with an absolutely brutal pain in my lower back so I went to to the VHI clinic in Dundrum. The doctor glanced at my back and told me it was more than likely a pulled muscle and to take some painkillers. I was in and out in four minutes, total cost: €115.

Turned out it was bit more serious than a pulled muscle. Had to spend another €200+ in the following weeks on a physiotherapist. He recommended that I keep coming back for the next several months but I forgot to water my money tree so now I'm on the painkillers :pac:

sesna · 10-03-2010 12:21AM

PrettyBoy wrote: »

No, I don't.

I will not go to a doctor unless I absolutely have to. A few months ago I woke up with an absolutely brutal pain in my lower back so I went to to the VHI clinic in Dundrum. The doctor glanced at my back and told me it was more than likely a pulled muscle and to take some painkillers. I was in and out in four minutes, total cost: €115.

You could have just waited to see your regular GP or gone to A&E in a public hospital. What did you expect going to a private clinic? Im sure the painkillers were effective and probably reduced inflammation, even if it was something other than muscular pain.

InKonspikuou2 · 10-03-2010 12:29AM

sesna wrote: »

Money well spent, you now have a diagnosis of a lifelong dietary intolerance thanks to an expert who has spent +15 years post-graduate study in his/her field. You were paying them for their expertise and time spent in obtaining their qualification, and not merely time spent with them.

I dont see how your GP is realistically supposed to send a blood sample (the cost of which you already complained about) and test for every possible virus/bacteria/inflammatory marker that may have caused a skin rash. Generally they will treat most probable cause because of cost implication (for you) of full scope of tests/examinations.

Perhaps you should try homeopathy if you have such little faith in allopathic medicine

I went to the doctor and he gave me a cream. I go to dermatologist and she manages to find out something not related to her field. I showed them both the rash and told them both about the abdominal pains, fatigue and cramping in my hands. All symptoms that warrant more than a fúcking cream. The doctor suspects a skin disease. For which none of the above other than the rash are symptoms. The derm thought maybe IBS, CFS or an allergy. So she tested for autoantibodies and she was right. Thanks to her i found a diagnosis. Thanks to the doctor i had to spend 500 euro to find out. If he had of being competent enough to suspect something more than a rash given the other symptoms i would have spent 65 max. So what's your problem with my complaint? I went to the doctor 3 times and nothing more than a cream. I come from a 3rd world country and even there i would have been sent for a blood test at least. That's 210 euro on him and his actions were no benefit to me. So what am i paying him for? I was even the one who had to ask to go to a derm. He was letting me leave the room without even suggesting it. I think i am valid in my complaint. Money isn't the overall issue. It's the means in how it had to be spent. If it took a doctor 3 times to make a diagnosis because symptoms were similar to other diseases i'd happily pay for each visit. But this guy didn't even make the effort. That's what pisses me off.

whatdoicare · 10-03-2010 12:34AM

My Doctor charged me 70 Euro to ask me what inhalers I use (the same inhalers I've used for the last 20 years and same doctor for last 18 years, btw) I only wanted the stupid inhalers as a just in case when I went on holidays!

He spent a good 10 minutes telling me about his holiday home - didn't check my blood pressure, didn't listen to my chest, just on and on about his holiday home then BHAM "So, um, what inhalers do you use?" I just scowled at him and forced him to go look it up. 70 Euros for a piece of paper for two inhalers which cost 14 euros. Stupid.

My Dad went in once about a ringing in his ear- same doctor told him it was tinnitus (sp?) and could do nothing for him. When he tried to charge him 70 Euros for it, my Dad came back with "You didn't do anything! If I took my car to a garage and the mechanic did nothing, he couldn't charge me! Flip off!" and casually strolled out the door! :cool:

PrettyBoy · 10-03-2010 12:36AM

sesna wrote: »

You could have just waited to see your regular GP or gone to A&E in a public hospital. What did you expect going to a private clinic? Im sure the painkillers were effective and probably reduced inflammation, even if it was something other than muscular pain.

It was relatively late and I was nearly crying from the pain. No GP would have been open. I thought there was something seriously wrong and I couldn't wait another 3-4 hours in a public hospital. I don't mind paying over the odds in a private clinic because I was seen to straight away but I was just annoyed that the doctor that saw me didn't seem bothered, said it was "probably" a pulled muscle and just told me to get some basic painkillers.

The physiotherapist I saw was good but there is no way I can afford to see him a couple of times a month at €60 per 30 minute session.

Still, even if I went to a GP he would have just referred me to a physiotherapist and expected €60 in return for this.

sesna · 10-03-2010 12:39AM

InKonspikuou2 wrote: »

I went to the doctor and he gave me a cream. I go to dermatologist and she manages to find out something not related to her field. I showed them both the rash and told them both about the abdominal pains, fatigue and cramping in my hands. All symptoms that warrant more than a fúcking cream. The doctor suspects a skin disease. For which none of the above other than the rash are symptoms. The derm thought maybe IBS, CFS or an allergy. So she tested for autoantibodies and she was right. Thanks to her i found a diagnosis. Thanks to the doctor i had to spend 500 euro to find out. If he had of being competent enough to suspect something more than a rash given the other symptoms i would have spent 65 max. So what's your problem with my complaint? I went to the doctor 3 times and nothing more than a cream. I come from a 3rd world country and even there i would have been sent for a blood test at least. That's 210 euro on him and his actions were no benefit to me. So what am i paying him for? I was even the one who had to ask to go to a derm. He was letting me leave the room without even suggesting it. I think i am valid in my complaint. Money isn't the overall issue. It's the means in how it had to be spent. If it took a doctor 3 times to make a diagnosis because symptoms were similar to other diseases i'd happily pay for each visit. But this guy didn't even make the effort. That's what pisses me off.

You have to pay for an inital GP consultation in this country to get referral to a consultant. And you would have had to pay for consultant fees in any case also. In your case, money well spent, as you were successfully diagnosed and can now modify your diet.

Bear in mind that treatment with the cream eliminated the possibility of many common skin conditions causing your rash, a course of treatment the dermatologist may well have proceeded with if the GP had not initially done so.

It is possible to have other unrelated symptoms in conjunction with a skin rash. Coeliac disease is commonly initially misdiagnosed as other conditions.

Since fees are your primary complaint, Im sure everything is cheaper your third world country - cars, houses, food. Yet you choose to live here for some strange reason.

For every anecdote of a doctors prescription/advice failing to ameliorate a particular condition, there are 100 successful interventions. Of course, we cant successuly whinge and moan about these.

IvySlayer · 10-03-2010 12:43AM

whatdoicare wrote: »

My Doctor charged me 70 Euro to ask me what inhalers I use (the same inhalers I've used for the last 20 years and same doctor for last 18 years, btw) I only wanted the stupid inhalers as a just in case when I went on holidays!

He spent a good 10 minutes telling me about his holiday home - didn't check my blood pressure, didn't listen to my chest, just on and on about his holiday home then BHAM "So, um, what inhalers do you use?" I just scowled at him and forced him to go look it up. 70 Euros for a piece of paper for two inhalers which cost 14 euros. Stupid.

My Dad went in once about a ringing in his ear- same doctor told him it was tinnitus (sp?) and could do nothing for him. When he tried to charge him 70 Euros for it, my Dad came back with "You didn't do anything! If I took my car to a garage and the mechanic did nothing, he couldn't charge me! Flip off!" and casually strolled out the door! :cool:

Just so you know, Ventolin (if you have asthma) is over the counter in Spain/Portugal/Australia/Greece.

sesna · 10-03-2010 12:45AM

PrettyBoy wrote: »

Still, even if I went to a GP he would have just referred me to a physiotherapist and expected €60 in return for this.

You dont need to be referred to a physiotherapist. You can make a direct appointment.

super_furry · 10-03-2010 12:45AM

sesna wrote: »

For every anecdote of a doctors prescription/advice failing to ameliorate a particular condition, there are 100 successful interventions. Of course, we cant successuly whinge and moan about these.

I don't think that's the issue at hand here, it's the extortionate fees that doctors charge. The €50 to €70 for a five minute consoltation. It's the fact that people like me often can't afford to see a doctor when we're ill.

whatdoicare · 10-03-2010 12:49AM

IvySlayer wrote: »

Just so you know, Ventolin (if you have asthma) is over the counter in Spain/Portugal/Australia/Greece.

I found that out on the same holiday I was getting the inhalers for- bought a bag and stocked up big time! They're like a third of the price in Spain too!

But thanks for letting me know, I'm sure a few readers will benefit from my misfortune

!

sesna · 10-03-2010 12:50AM

IvySlayer wrote: »

Just so you know, Ventolin (if you have asthma) is over the counter in Spain/Portugal/Australia/Greece.

Lobby the Irish Medicines Board, government if you want the prescription status of Ventolin changed.

But monitoring of Ventolin usage (by virtue of having medical records of usage) decreases serious acute hospital admissions due to inadequate control of asthma symptoms. Ideal use of Ventolin is approx. two inhalers per year. Any more requires additional therapy.

sesna · 10-03-2010 12:51AM

super_furry wrote: »

I don't think that's the issue at hand here, it's the extortionate fees that doctors charge. The €50 to €70 for a five minute consoltation. It's the fact that people like me often can't afford to see a doctor when we're ill.

Can't afford 50 euro maybe once a year? Then you should be entitled to a medical card.

Aidric · 10-03-2010 12:57AM

It's a cosy cartel these GP's enjoy, no doubt about that. Mine charges 60 a visit though tbf it's half that if it's a follow up call.

super_furry · 10-03-2010 01:01AM

sesna wrote: »

Can't afford 50 euro maybe once a year? Then you should be entitled to a medical card.

It's actually €60 and if I only had the need to see a GP once a year, I'd be a happy man. Regardless of whether or not I can afford it, €60 for 5 minutes work is an absolute rip-off but because of the nice little cartel in Ireland, nothing will change.

sesna · 10-03-2010 01:01AM

Aidric wrote: »

It's a cosy cartel these GP's enjoy, no doubt about that. Mine charges 60 a visit though tbf it's half that if it's a follow up call.

If you think that is the case

IvySlayer · 10-03-2010 01:02AM

sesna wrote: »

Lobby the Irish Medicines Board, government if you want the prescription status of Ventolin changed.

But monitoring of Ventolin usage (by virtue of having medical records of usage) decreases serious acute hospital admissions due to inadequate control of asthma symptoms. Ideal use of Ventolin is approx. two inhalers per year. Any more requires additional therapy.

I get a Ventolin every month. It's necessary for me with asthma/other condition.

IvySlayer · 10-03-2010 01:03AM

whatdoicare wrote: »

I found that out on the same holiday I was getting the inhalers for- bought a bag and stocked up big time! They're like a third of the price in Spain too!

But thanks for letting me know, I'm sure a few readers will benefit from my misfortune !

Me too, went round a few pharmacies, got my family to go to some aswell. Ended up with a year and a half supply

whatdoicare · 10-03-2010 01:04AM

sesna wrote: »

But monitoring of Ventolin usage (by virtue of having medical records of usage) decreases serious acute hospital admissions due to inadequate control of asthma symptoms. Ideal use of Ventolin is approx. two inhalers per year. Any more requires additional therapy.

I rarely use my inhalers (becotide and ventolin) but I always like to have one on hand in case of emergency.
Inhalers (esp Ventolin for some reason) tend to empty themselves after a few months, I often find any inhalers I forget about in a drawer, no matter if I ever used them, are always nearly empty when I test them.

Also, is there a website where I could send a letter to the Medical board?

sesna · 10-03-2010 01:08AM

whatdoicare wrote: »

I rarely use my inhalers (becotide and ventolin) but I always like to have one on hand in case of emergency.
Inhalers (esp Ventolin for some reason) tend to empty themselves after a few months, I often find any inhalers I forget about in a drawer, no matter if I ever used them, are always nearly empty when I test them.

Also, is there a website where I could send a letter to the Medical board?

Your inhalers should not self-empty but having them in multiple locations is a genuine reason to get excess supply. But the issue was control of supply and monitoring of proper usage.

New research recommends two per year due to reduced airway response from over-usage.

Looked into it - lobby your local TD, minister for health, party spokesperson for health or the Pharmaceutical society of Ireland would probably be best.

Do You Think Doctors Are Worth Their Fees?

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