are doctors overrated?

Fuinseog · 29-08-2012 12:19PM #1

I was feeling under the weather recently and decided to seek out a GP. I paid 60 euro for a consultation that did not last 5 mins and for advice that I already knew and could have easily googled. The good doctor seemed to be somewhat condescending but I was too sick to argue.
I think in this day and age when people are more informed they are less likely to put up with any BS from doctors. teachers and guards are heavily criticised in the media but why not the medical profession?

I notice the older generation consider doctors as gods gift to mankind and some of them believe they are.

snubbleste · 29-08-2012 12:20PM

No.

AnonoBoy · 29-08-2012 12:21PM

DOCTORS ARE WONDERFUL. NO COMPLAINTS HERE.

*turns up music*

Meet me out back in 2 minutes. I've got files that will bring the whole medical profession crumbling down.

seven_eleven · 29-08-2012 12:21PM

8 years of university, I dont think so. Did you get any medications for your sickness? If you did, then stop complaining.

juan.kerr · 29-08-2012 12:21PM

for advice that I already knew and could have easily googled

Why didn't you then?

Dravokivich · 29-08-2012 12:22PM

Then consult Google from now on and see what good that'll do ya.

Quorum · 29-08-2012 12:22PM

No, not overrated, but consultation fees are way too high.

fishy fishy · 29-08-2012 12:22PM

if you knew what it was why did you go to the doctor?

or were you not sure what it was, and you went to the doctor for re-assurance so you wouldn't be worrying.

now you know what it is, you don't have to worry anymore.

60 Euro for peace of mind - priceless.

I would rather go to a doctors for peace of mind, than to self diagnose on google. Anyone can be a doctor on google.

smash · 29-08-2012 12:22PM

GP's are overpaid, Doctors are not overrated.

Cianos · 29-08-2012 12:22PM

juan.kerr wrote: »

Why didn't you then?

NOPE. You'll convince yourself you have several forms of cancer and have 2 days to live.

later12 · 29-08-2012 12:23PM

Fuinseog wrote: »

I was feeling under the weather recently and decided to seek out a GP. I paid 60 euro for a consultation that did not last 5 mins and for advice that I already knew and could have easily googled. The good doctor seemed to be somewhat condescending but I was too sick to argue.
I think in this day and age when people are more informed they are less likely to put up with any BS from doctors. teachers and guards are heavily criticised in the media but why not the medical profession?

I notice the older generation consider doctors as gods gift to mankind and some of them believe they are.

Are they expensive relative to their European counterparts?
Yes, that has been the focus of attention by the Troika and will hopefully be addressed.

Not really going to comment on whether they believe they are "God's Gift"; I think that smacks of bitterness & lots of people would hold an opposing experience.

JohnMarston · 29-08-2012 12:26PM

I'll take a trained professional over some know-it-all internet doctor with access to web MD

Corkfeen · 29-08-2012 12:26PM

I don't think that the doctor can be blamed because your illness was apparently a common and not particularly serious one. For example, I lost massive amounts of weight in a short period of time and google wouldn't have been useful for diagnosing or treating it. So I went to the GP and had a bed in a hospital within an hour or two as a result. :pac: If I hadn't gone to any doctor, I would have continued to lose weight until the point where I would probably have died. So, no they are not in any way overrated.

juan.kerr · 29-08-2012 12:27PM

Cianos wrote: »

NOPE. You'll convince yourself you have several forms of cancer and have 2 days to live.

That was the point.

Fuinseog · 29-08-2012 12:28PM

snubbleste wrote: »

No.

you are a man of many words snubbleste

Fuinseog · 29-08-2012 12:30PM

Quorum wrote: »

No, not overrated, but consultation fees are way too high.

In some EU states you do have to pay to visit the doctor.

davet82 · 29-08-2012 12:31PM

well not Dr.Phil anyways!

Fuinseog · 29-08-2012 12:31PM

seven_eleven wrote: »

8 years of university, I dont think so. Did you get any medications for your sickness? If you did, then stop complaining.

I have more than eight years of university and I do not look down on people who are university educated like some doctors do.

juan.kerr · 29-08-2012 12:32PM

Fuinseog wrote: »

In some EU states you do have to pay to visit the doctor.

So you think they should work for free?

juan.kerr · 29-08-2012 12:33PM

Fuinseog wrote: »

I have more than eight years of university and I do not look down on people who are university educated like some doctors do.

So you think ALL doctors are overrated because some doctors look down on people who are university educated...makes sense, I suppose.

IrishZeus · 29-08-2012 12:33PM

I ran a (fairly large) medical practice for a few years and I would say that doctors are overpaid, but not over-rated.

Like someone sad above, peace of mind can not be under-estimated. Along with this, something minor can in fact be something major which could go unnoticed without a check up. (The internet often has the opposite effect - a common cold often becomes AIDS or the like. Ridiculous stuff.)

That being said, I think the current generation are a bunch of pansies when it comes to a lot of things. When you see people going to the doc with a cold/flu and the likes, it makes the mind boggle. (I'm 27 by the way, so this is not an old mans rant

)

Fuinseog · 29-08-2012 12:35PM

fishy fishy wrote: »

if you knew what it was why did you go to the doctor?

or were you not sure what it was, and you went to the doctor for re-assurance so you wouldn't be worrying.

now you know what it is, you don't have to worry anymore.

60 Euro for peace of mind - priceless.

I would rather go to a doctors for peace of mind, than to self diagnose on google. Anyone can be a doctor on google.

I was hoping to be told something I did not already know. next time I will go a bean feasa.

Fuinseog · 29-08-2012 12:37PM

juan.kerr wrote: »

So you think ALL doctors are overrated because some doctors look down on people who are university educated...makes sense, I suppose.

did I say all doctors?

Fuinseog · 29-08-2012 12:40PM

later12 wrote: »

Are they expensive relative to their European counterparts?
Yes, that has been the focus of attention by the Troika and will hopefully be addressed.

Not really going to comment on whether they believe they are "God's Gift"; I think that smacks of bitterness & lots of people would hold an opposing experience.

I have seen doctors talk down to people they consider 'little' and was not impressed. I wonder how accountable they are. I have the feeling incompetent doctors get away with more than other professions such as guards or teachers.

charlietheminxx · 29-08-2012 12:40PM

I'll be honest, some doctors are rip-off merchants.

Some doctors are worth their weight in gold.

I've had very varying encounters recently. I rarely go to the doctor but this year I've been having a lot of throat problems. My throat is constantly sore and raspy and I've been run down overall.

Went to my local gp, she had a quick chat with me and told me the smokes had to go. Fair enough, I stopped smoking (had cut down a GREAT deal anyway in an effort to help my throat). She refused me any medication because I was a smoker (ergo, twas my own fault). 5 weeks on, my throat is as bad as ever.... I was at a family event at the weekend and people are commenting on how I sound

It's not nice but while I am worried it's something more serious, I can't really be bothered going to the doctor again to be sent away with nothing.

Doctors are the same as the rest of us, some are excellent, some are lazy negligent fools.

Fuinseog · 29-08-2012 12:43PM

juan.kerr wrote: »

So you think they should work for free?

You must be a doctor Juan. I never said they should work for free but the price I paid for the service I got was not in view acceptable. a doctor is providing a service yet I am not sure if there is an efficient system in place where patients can complain about a GP.

juan.kerr · 29-08-2012 12:44PM

Fuinseog wrote: »

did I say all doctors?

Well the thread title is 'are doctors overrated?' so yes, you did. Had the title been 'are some doctors overrated' then I wouldn't have bothered posting.

Dravokivich · 29-08-2012 12:45PM

Corkfeen wrote: »

I don't think that the doctor can be blamed because your illness was apparently a common and not particularly serious one. For example, I lost massive amounts of weight in a short period of time and google wouldn't have been useful for diagnosing or treating it. So I went to the GP and had a bed in a hospital within an hour or two as a result. :pac: If I hadn't gone to any doctor, I would have continued to lose weight until the point where I would probably have died. So, no they are not in any way overrated.

Had you no bed at home?

Fuinseog · 29-08-2012 12:45PM

charlietheminxx wrote: »

I'll be honest, some doctors are rip-off merchants.

Some doctors are worth their weight in gold.

I've had very varying encounters recently. I rarely go to the doctor but this year I've been having a lot of throat problems. My throat is constantly sore and raspy and I've been run down overall.

Went to my local gp, she had a quick chat with me and told me the smokes had to go. Fair enough, I stopped smoking (had cut down a GREAT deal anyway in an effort to help my throat). She refused me any medication because I was a smoker (ergo, twas my own fault). 5 weeks on, my throat is as bad as ever.... I was at a family event at the weekend and people are commenting on how I sound It's not nice but while I am worried it's something more serious, I can't really be bothered going to the doctor again to be sent away with nothing.

Doctors are the same as the rest of us, some are excellent, some are lazy negligent fools.

they can afford to be lazy negligent fools cos they have nothing to fear.

IrishZeus · 29-08-2012 12:46PM

Its important to remember that most docs you see are GP's i.e. General Practictioners. Therefore they are trained in general medicine and can often miss things that a specialist would pick up on.

Myself for example - had an eye issue over the past few weeks that dragged on and on. Went to two GP's and was told one thing. Second one prescribed meds - didn't work. Referred to a specialist in the Mater Eye Casualty. Doc there had problem diagnosed and fixed within days.

GP's need to be given some slack when it comes to certain diagnoses. You can't be a specialist in everything.

kerry4sam · 29-08-2012 12:48PM

Fuinseog wrote: »

I was feeling under the weather recently and decided to seek out a GP. I paid 60 euro for a consultation that did not last 5 mins and for advice that I already knew and could have easily googled. The good doctor seemed to be somewhat condescending but I was too sick to argue.
I think in this day and age when people are more informed they are less likely to put up with any BS from doctors. teachers and guards are heavily criticised in the media but why not the medical profession?

I notice the older generation consider doctors as gods gift to mankind and some of them believe they are.

I hope you're feeling better now though Fuinseog

are doctors overrated?

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