The Future of Medicine

[Madelaine Amee]

Someone sent us this link iDoctor Could a smartphone be the future of medicine - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=r13uYs7jglg)

It is a video on the future of medicine. Well worth taking the time to watch and I hope my link works for you ...................

[Quixote]

Someone sent us this link iDoctor Could a smartphone be the future of medicine - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=r13uYs7jglg)

It is a video on the future of medicine. Well worth taking the time to watch and I hope my link works for you ...................

The link works fine; thank you. There are two fascinating stories here: the development of medical technology, which is mind-blowing and awesome; and the story of an individual who has chosen to live what is generally perceived as a healthy lifestyle which may—or may not—be related to his knowledge as a physician.

The story that follows also, in its own way, pertains to “the future of medicine.” Though I have found suitable medical care in and around TV which I have confidence in, I still maintain a relationship with a couple of specialists up north to whom I continue to travel for annual evaluations that so far have never required any more than that. I have one such doctor in whose care I’ve been since he started practicing medicine as the “youngster” in the group—and he’s now the senior partner! So, over the decades we’ve gotten to know each other fairly well.

One year I arrived at the office, only to discover that it is no longer the simple and local specialty practice but rather is now affiliated with a major corporation. “What’s this all about? What prompted you to make such a significant change?” I asked. He explained, “More and more, medicine is being forced into a business model, with true medical care becoming more and more subservient to the business aspect. We felt we had no choice, as when we were simply the specialty practice we had no power, no control, almost no say in how we wish to practice medicine. Now, the corporation speaks for us—and competes for us—in ways that, effective as our practice has been medically, are absolutely necessary for us to be able to function. And yes, in doing so, unfortunately there are compromises—some major ones as we see it—that we have had to make. . . .”

He had often spoken about his daughter who from a young age had decided to follow in Dad’s footsteps and become a physician. I always ask about her and how she’s doing. Several years ago he told me, “I convinced her not to enter the field because of the direction the manner and methods of medicine is headed based on recent changes.” I was really surprised, given the enthusiasm with which he had always spoken about her and her achievements. “So what is she doing?” I asked. He replied, “She’s in veterinary school, still keeping her hand in medical care but in a completely different venue, and she loves it!” That’s wonderful for our pets, but it also means that here’s an individual who for years had been a ‘potential doctor’ whom we’ve lost in terms of a lifetime (say, forty years, give or take?) of providing care for people with health issues, the numbers of which are only going to increase as “our” geriatric numbers increase.

I’m just relaying his story; I’m not commenting on it. I wonder about the stories and experiences that others have encountered along these lines. . . .

[gomoho]

That was absolutely fascinating - thank you for sharing - hope we see this in our lifetime.

[rubicon]

The paradigm shift in medicine is fraught with dichotomies nurse practioner vs primary cre doctors fee for services vs quality outcomes to be paid, business models focused on profit rather than on patent care. Life altering decision taken out of the hands of doctor and left with cost managment types. The american system despite its faults met patients demands. I am troubled by what is going on now because a caste system is taking firm hold where only those who can pay the additional cash will get really quality medical care.