are doctors overrated?

Fuinseog

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

No.

AnonoBoy

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

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

juan.kerr

for advice that I already knew and could have easily googled

Why didn't you then?

Dravokivich

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

Quorum

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

fishy fishy

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

GP's are overpaid, Doctors are not overrated.

Cianos

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

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

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

Corkfeen

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

Cianos wrote: »

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

That was the point.

Fuinseog

snubbleste wrote: »

No.

you are a man of many words snubbleste

Fuinseog

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

well not Dr.Phil anyways!

Fuinseog

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

smash

IrishZeus wrote: »

GP's need to be given some slack when it comes to certain diagnoses.

No they shouldn't. If they don't know, they should refer you immediately.

90% of the time they'll say "I think it's viral, can't prescribe anything, go and get some rest."

juan.kerr

Fuinseog wrote: »

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.

I'd love to be a doctor - well I'd love the pay anyway, not the responsibility.

Of course you can complain: http://www.medicalcouncil.ie/Public-Information/Making-a-Complaint-/Making-a-Complaint1.html

juan.kerr

kerry4sam wrote: »

I hope you're feeling better now though Fuinseog

No thanks to the doctor, no doubt.

tommyboy2222

Don't think doctors are overrated but I think sometimes they refer you to consultants too hastily.

I found some bumps on my chest so I went to the doctor. She checks them out and says "Ah there's nothing there but I'll refer you to a consultant".

I go to the consultant and he checks them out and tells me "You've nothing wrong with you and your doctor thinks so too".

I didn't mind paying the 60 euro for the doctor but I'm not so sure about the 150 for the consultant.

Are doctors just covering their arses ? Is it a cash making scheme ?

Am I being too harsh ?? :pac:

Fuinseog

sometimes the GP will gives opinions that are personal than professional.

not sure if it is still the case that you need to go to the GP for the pill, but I knew a girl who went to her GP for the pill and was he told her would not give it to her as she should not be having sex. this as a bout ten years ago and presumably he meant outside of marriage, but that is none of his business.


I was told by a doctor who smoked that my lifestyle was unhealthy.

Fuinseog

juan.kerr wrote: »

I'd love to be a doctor - well I'd love the pay anyway, not the responsibility.

Of course you can complain: http://www.medicalcouncil.ie/Public-Information/Making-a-Complaint-/Making-a-Complaint1.html

and are those complaints dealt with within a week or two or a year or two?

IrishZeus

smash wrote: »

No they shouldn't. If they don't know, they should refer you immediately.

90% of the time they'll say "I think it's viral, can't prescribe anything, go and get some rest."

Read the rest of my post and you'll see the example I gave as the "right" thing to do involved being referred to a consultant.

In fact, my whole post was that should they not know what's wrong, then they need to refer you to a specialist.

Well done on missing the point there :rolleyes:

Fuinseog

IrishZeus wrote: »

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.

you are messing around with human lives here. if they are not 100% certain they should refer you to someone who does know.

Lollipops23

I stay away from the doc as much as possible, but when I do go he's usually great (he's been the family doc for years).

However, I do take major umbridge with the price €55 for the Dr to take your blood pressure every 6months and tell you you're fine is just mental. (this is what you need to do to get the pill)

IrishZeus

Fuinseog wrote: »

you are messing around with human lives here. if they are not 100% certain they should refer you to someone who does know.

Read my post above - if they don't know then they should refer you to a specialist.

However most people think that a trip to a doctor should result in a miracle cure for whatever it is they present with. GP's are not infallible, they are not trained as specialists in everything. Therefore, they can not be expected to be able to treat everything that comes in front of them.

juan.kerr

Fuinseog wrote: »

and are those complaints dealt with within a week or two or a year or two?

I have no idea. Why not contact them and see what they say?

smash

IrishZeus wrote: »

Read the rest of my post and you'll see the example I gave as the "right" thing to do involved being referred to a consultant.

In fact, my whole post was that should they not know what's wrong, then they need to refer you to a specialist.

Well done on missing the point there :rolleyes:

I didn't miss the point. you had to go through 2 GP's and a lengthy process to get it resolved. How much did it cost you in total because they didn't know and didn't refer you in the first place?

Duggy747

As a technician I imagine I could easily make the transition from hardware to humans.

Patient: "Doctor, I'm feeling very sluggish and slow lately, I'm roasting hot and my vision has been going blurry a lot."
Me: "Have you tried turning yourself off & on again? Maybe update your graphic driver for your vision. Are you still in warranty?"
Patient: "Wh...........what?"
Me: "As for the high temperature, you probably need a good clean out. Bend over there for a sec........"
Patient: "What the hell are you doing, what is that!?!"
Me: "It's just compressed air...........now, drop those pants........."

juan.kerr

Fuinseog wrote: »

not sure if it is still the case that you need to go to the GP for the pill, but I knew a girl who went to her GP for the pill and was he told her would not give it to her as she should not be having sex.

What age was the girl when she was refuse the pill by the GP?

IrishZeus

smash wrote: »

I didn't miss the point. you had to go through 2 GP's and a lengthy process to get it resolved. How much did it cost you in total because they didn't know and didn't refer you in the first place?

It cost me €0 due to having a fantastic health insurance package but I take your point.

However, I don't agree with it. For minor issues it would be stupid to refer immediately. This would do only two things - increase specialist waiting times and drive up their prices.

For something that could potentially be a major issue, then yes, immediate referral should be the route they take. Many medical companies have this procedure in place. (I know this for a fact from previously working in them!)

Corkfeen

Fuinseog wrote: »

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

Erm, did you expect the doctor to invent some far more serious ailment instead of stating the obvious?

Fuinseog wrote: »

I was told by a doctor who smoked that my lifestyle was unhealthy.

Were you expecting him to compare and contrast his lifestyle with yours? You don't necessarily have to be a smoker to have an extremely unhealthy lifestyle and a doctor should not avoid highlighting issues in people's health because of their own flaws in their health.

opinion guy

IrishZeus wrote: »

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 )

27 and managed a large medical practice for a few years ????
How did you manage that ?

hoochis

I dont think doctors are overrated. I dont think they are overpayed either. They have huge expenses to pay off from college. Insurance would be very costly also and they pay lots of tax! These are people who have studied very hard through secondary school and college and given up a lot of time while others took the easy route and found a trade to work in during the boom. I have had quotes from tilers, plumbers etc. that were a complete joke and certainly did not reflect their qualifications.

MaxSteele

It shouldn't cost 50 euro to be told to get painkillers or antibiotics which cost another 10 or 12 or if you need to visit a consultant, cardiologist, neurologist etc.

Doctor fee's are extortionate.

Fuinseog

juan.kerr wrote: »

What age was the girl when she was refuse the pill by the GP?

around 21.