+1-866-732-0305
info@doctorsolve.com
In the midst of an exploding national healthcare crisis, there’s much talk about slashing drug prices and cutting health insurance companies’ profits. While these are valid debates, many physicians are actually offering an equally controversial solution: cut their pay.
Hearing a physician suggest a pay cut for him or herself is a bit like witnessing a politician opting out of a kickback. Sure, it happens but most of us will never see it and tend to believe such a thing a dangling, idealistic myth too elusive to pull down into reality. Many healthcare economists and physicians, however, are suggesting just that. Dr. Alan Garber, a practicing internist, and director of the Center For Health Policy at Stanford University thinks offering medical doctors a lower, fixed salary, accompanied by bonuses for healthy patients, may be a crucial step to working out of the crisis.
“The problem is the way (physicians) earn their money. They have to do stuff. They have to do procedures,” said Dr. Peter Bach, a pulmonary physician at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and former senior advisor to Medicare and Medicaid. In other words, doctors are paid by the procedure, not by whether the procedures go well, if their patients actually need them, or if their health improves.
In contrast, doctors are not financially rewarded for routine exams or “cognitive services,” such as researching different treatment options or giving patients advice on how to improve their health without medical visits, tests, or prescription drugs. This, despite the fact that healthy eating, exercise, and the end of tobacco use would “significantly” cut cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society — up to 66%. Primary care physicians and pediatricians provide more of this routine care and rarely perform complicated procedures, so, in general, they’re paid a lot less.
The pay-by-procedure method, which offers little financial incentive to enter family practices or pediatrics, is fostering a shortage of qualified physicians. Twenty percent of people in the U.S. have “inadequate or no access to primary care physicians” because of this shortage, according to reports released in March. In 2004, 75% of counties in Texas lacked an adequate number of primary care physicians to meet their needs. Twenty-four counties didn’t have one at all. For cities like Dallas, Houston, and Austin — which handle an almost unimaginable caseload and are already experiencing deficiencies in the number of most types of healthcare providers — any further deficiencies could cause serious problems.
And while the fact that prescription drugs in this country cost patients between thirty and fifty percent more than in Europe is an issue warranting attention, the equally important fact that doctors’ pay is also dramatically inflating healthcare costs is rarely discussed. American physicians make between two and three times more than their counterparts in other industrialized nations. The average doctor here earns between $200,000 and $300,00 a year. Primary care physicians earn less — usually between $125,000 and $200,000 annually — and specialists earn more. Making $400,000 a year and above is not unheard of for radiologists and other doctors with additional years of training.
No one is debating the respect doctors should be given for their years of intensive education and, in most cases, enormous talent. Medical schools run around $30,000 a year now, putting most graduating medical students in considerable debt. They should be compensated and allowed to earn what is necessary to lead comfortable lives and clear their credit reports. But European doctors only earned $60,000 to $120,000 a year in 2002, according to a survey sponsored by the British government. This, in turn, means much lower medical costs are transferred to the public.
Europeans pay less, overall, for their healthcare partly because they pay their doctors a comfortable, but far lower, salary. The discrepancy between nurses’ and doctors’ pay, as well, is simply unacceptable to many when nurses often work just as many hours and provide just as intensive — albeit different — care as physicians.
The idea of paying doctors a fixed salary, possibly with bonuses for healthy patients, is not without its problems, however. Such a system may encourage physicians to only see those patients they believe can be easily treated, for example. It may also do the opposite of encouraging rigorous and thorough testing, as doctors would theoretically be paid the same for twenty minutes of evaluation as for twenty hours.
The additional pressure to meet the demanding needs of a growing population during a time when physicians are in short supply may further increase this tendency. It’s clear, however, that something has to be done. As usual, most of the solutions will be hashed out in Congress and through the media, but it’s up to those of us actually receiving the care that may, or may not, save our lives to push for those decisions.
Being aware of issues affecting the accessibility and quality of healthcare is an important part of minding your health. How you take care of yourself will certainly affect you as you age, and eventually your wallet, as well.
About the Author: Pat Carpenter writes for Precedent Insurance Company.
Also Read
3 Top Reasons Patients Don’t Get Basic Medical Care When Sick
Why Canada’s Health Care System Isn’t As Bad As Many Think?
If you are looking for a natural way of helping to control high blood pressure then a great place to start is by modifying your diet. A diet designed to reduce blood pressure should include plenty of fresh, fruits and vegetables as they contain essential minerals, nutrients, and fiber, which can all help in a treatment plan to reduce high blood pressure. So what kinds of high blood pressure fruits and vegetables should a person be choosing to eat?
Generally, a person should be eating fruits and vegetables which contain high amounts of fiber in them. This will help suppress the appetite and help the digestive process.
Fruits and vegetables to include in a diet to reduce high blood pressure include the following:
- Asparagus
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Peas
- Corn
- Strawberries
- Oranges
- Apples
- Pears
- Bananas
- Lentils
- Chickpeas
But, most vegetables and fruits can be added to the diet, and they should replace the foods that need to be restricted from a high blood pressure diet, including processed foods, foods that contain high levels of sodium, and foods that are high in saturated fats.
The great thing about substituting these particular foods for those that are high in fat is not only do they make you feel fuller quicker, but they also provide you with good sources of nutrients and minerals, which are vital to keep your body healthy and boost the immune system.
Also by eating more fruit and vegetables, there is normally a natural reduction in the volume of calories consumed, and in many cases just by cutting back on the number of calories, thereby reducing weight, there is knock-on reduction in high blood pressure.
As well as increasing the amount of fiber you have in your diet you should also increase the amount of potassium as well. Fruit that is rich in potassium are bananas.
Why not place a few in a liquidizer with some freshly squeezed orange juice and some raspberries and you will have a really great-tasting drink that is also helping to lower blood pressure, as it contains high amounts of fiber, potassium, and all other beneficial nutrients.
To ensure that there is a sufficient mix of nutrients and variety in the diet, try and include three different colored vegetables on the plate for every meal. So for example you could have some grated carrot along with some lettuce and a couple of cherry tomatoes.
Also, if you do need to cook your vegetables or fruit it is best if they are steamed. This way they will not lose so many of their essential properties, which are vital to maintaining a healthy body.
A number of studies have been carried out to show changing your diet can have the same beneficial impact on high blood pressure as taking medication. This does not mean that the medication prescribed by the doctor should not be taken – Of course, it should. But it means that if a good diet is followed then the blood pressure can be regulated much faster, and the effects can last for longer.
A high blood pressure, fruits, and vegetable diet, with the inclusion of lean low-fat meats, can mean that not only is the blood pressure reduced, but also those that are overweight usually find they lose weight as well. Discuss any changes in diet before you make them with your doctor.
DoctorSolve™ Healthcare Solutions Inc., a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC X23), offers low-cost, long-term prescription drugs. A professionally registered pharmacist fills all Canadian prescriptions. A certified member of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, DoctorSolve™ is ranked as one of the best online Canadian pharmacies.
DoctorSolve™ is ranked as one of the best Canadian pharmacies online. DoctorSolve™ has filled more than 200,000 U.S. prescriptions.
For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit https://www.doctorsolve.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy since 1999.
About the Author: By Paul J Johnson. Sign up for Paul Johnson’s free Blood Pressure Reduction newsletter – Overflowing with easy-to-implement methods to help you discover more about high blood pressure symptoms.
You’ve probably got hundreds of recipes in your collection but maybe not all of them are as healthy as you’d like them to be. This is likely a shame as there’s a good chance that some of those recipes are amongst your favorites.
How do you go about changing your favorite recipes into ones that are healthy for you? Even those old family favorites that have been passed down through the generations.
1. Reduce the amount of fat, sugar, and salt in your recipes.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised just how much you can reduce the level of fat, sugar, and salt in your recipes without affecting the taste. If you’ve cut back too much, it’s always possible to add a little bit more salt to the table. You can reduce the amount of fat by using a non-stick pan and an oil spray rather than slurping oil into the pan. You can also use a slotted spoon to skim off any excess fat as the recipe cooks. Cutting down on sugar will depend on what you’re cooking, but it’s generally safe to try initially cutting sugar down by a quarter – I doubt you’ll notice the difference.
Salt is necessary for recipes for bread as otherwise, the yeast won’t be able to do its job. In other recipes, such as crock pots and stews, you should easily be able to reduce the salt you use by half with very little effect on the final taste. You may even find that with the imaginative use of sauces, you can eliminate salt from some of your recipes entirely.
Remember that some of the ingredients you use may contain salt, sugar, or fat. Read the labels and substitute as necessary. But don’t just blindly add a low-fat option without checking that the manufacturer hasn’t simply substituted sugar for fat.
2. Make healthy substitutions
As well as examining labels, look for ways to increase the nutrition in the food you eat. Whole wheat pasta, brown rice, whole grain cereals. All of these are easy substitutes and will likely enhance the taste of the dish you are cooking – they have less of the original product removed in the manufacturing process, which leaves more taste available for you.
3. If possible, delete an unhealthy ingredient
Many recipes react well to variations (you may even find alternatives listed at the end of the recipe). Substitute frosted ingredients for un-frosted ones to cut down on sugar, for instance. Be careful with adding nuts to a dish as they are high in fat (although the fat is usually considered “good” fat, so don’t cut them out entirely). Let your family and guests add their own toppings such a mayonnaise and sauces. Consider substituting lower salt, fat, and sugar versions of these sauces. And don’t squeeze that maple syrup quite as hard the next time you eat a stack of pancakes!
Once you start converting your recipes, you’ll become more imaginative and will have a good idea of what is working and what isn’t Keep a notebook handy so that you can remember the successes and adjust the times when the changes you made weren’t as successful as you’d have liked.
DoctorSolve Healthcare Solutions Inc., a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC X23), offers low-cost, long-term prescription drugs. A professionally registered pharmacist fills all Canadian prescriptions. A certified member of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, DoctorSolve is ranked as one of the best Canadian pharmacies online. DoctorSolve has filled more than 200,000 U.S. prescriptions.
For more information on how to order Canadian drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit https://www.doctorsolve.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy for over 6 years.
About the Author: Trevor John. Treat your children and family to a batch of specially designed healthy recipes that are easy to make and have all been taste-tested.
Most Americans are not getting enough vitamin D, a fact that may put them at risk for developing cancer, according to a landmark study conducted at Creighton University School of Medicine.
The study followed older women for 4 years. During that time, the women who were taking vitamin D supplements had a dramatic reduction in risk for cancer when compared with women who did not get the vitamin.
Vitamin D enhances the body’s immune response to potential cancer cells, said Joan Lappe, PhD, RN, professor of medicine and the study’s director.
Study participants took 1,100 IU of vitamin D3 (an animal form of the vitamin that is more active and effective in humans than D2, made from plant sources). The dosage is also 2 to 3 times more than the current recommended daily requirement, which the researchers think should be increased for all. Supplements can be taken with or without meals and do not have to be spaced throughout the day. No side effects were noted.
There is a growing body of evidence that a higher intake of vitamin D for both men and women may be helpful in the prevention and treatment not only of cancer, but also high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases, the researchers said.
Humans make their own vitamin D3 when they are exposed to sunlight. In fact, only 10-15 minutes a day in a bright summer sun creates large amounts of the vitamin. But exercise caution because the sun’s ultraviolet B rays also can cause skin cancer. Sunscreen blocks most vitamin D production.
Also, the latitude at which you live and your ancestry also influence your body’s ability to convert sunlight into vitamin D. People with dark skin have more difficulty making the vitamin. People living at latitudes north of the 37th parallel – Omaha is near the 41st parallel – cannot get their vitamin D naturally during the winter months because of the sun’s angle.
DoctorSolve™ Healthcare Solutions Inc., a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC X23), offers low-cost, long-term prescription drugs. A professionally registered pharmacist fills all Canadian prescriptions. A certified member of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, DoctorSolve™ is ranked as one of the best online Canadian pharmacies.
DoctorSolve™ is ranked as one of the best Canadian pharmacies online. DoctorSolve™ has filled more than 200,000 U.S. prescriptions.
For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit https://www.doctorsolve.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy since 1999.
With more than 2 million Americans alone suffering from bipolar symptoms, it is little wonder so many people have questions about this condition. This serious mental illness can be rather scary to confront, but arming oneself with the right answers to some of the most common questions is one of the first places to start to help deal with it.
What does bipolar mean?
Bipolar disorder is a biological/mental illness that tends to result in very wide mood swings. People who suffer from the disorder are known to go through manic highs and depressed lows. The symptoms can be very troubling for the patient and their loved ones.
What happens during a manic swing?
When a manic episode is under way, a person is extremely up. This condition can lead to the mind racing, the mood-elevating greatly, and risk-taking that is beyond the norm. While this might sound like a “fun” person, the reality is many people in the throes of manic swings go without sleep, overestimate their abilities, and can even hurt themselves or others inadvertently through their actions.
What characterizes a depressed swing?
During this phase of the disorder, a person’s mood plummets. The signs and symptoms of clinical depression are frequent, such as isolation, loss of appetite, sleeping too much, and even thoughts of suicide.
Can anyone get bipolar disorder?
Yes, this mental illness does not seem to pay heed to boundaries such as class, race, ethnic group, or even sex. It is an equal opportunity condition.
What age does this condition arise?
The main symptoms of the disorder tend to show up in the teens to early 20s, but that doesn’t mean they won’t strike earlier or later. The signs and symptoms, if present, should be cause for concern at any age.
What causes the disorder?
Those who are bipolar tend to have an imbalance of neurotransmitters in their brains. There is no known cause for the imbalance, but the reality is when these chemicals are out of synch, this disorder can appear, making it a biological illness with psychological symptoms.
Are their risk factors?
Yes. There does seem to be a strong family tie that goes along with this condition. People with parents or siblings who have bipolar syndrome are more likely to develop it. This does not, however, mean that everyone with a family tie will present with bipolar symptoms. It just means the risk is higher.
Can the condition be treated?
Yes. There are medications that can help bring the chemical level in the brain back into balance. The condition cannot be cured, however. To effectively manage it and enjoy a normal life, those with the condition generally require lifelong medical care.
Living with bipolar symptoms can be a rather scary roller coaster ride for the patient and loved ones, as well. Although this is a chronic condition without a cure, there are viable treatments that can help keep the symptoms in check. When this is achieved, it is more than possible for a person suffering from this condition to lead a normal life.
Anticonvulsants like Carbamazepine and Valproate are often combined with Lithium to effectively control mania and prevent the recurrence of both manic and depressive episodes.
About the Author: By Samantha Davis. For more information on bipolar, try visiting http://www.bipolardetails.com – a website that specializes in providing bipolar-related tips and resources to include information on bipolar.
DoctorSolve™ Healthcare Solutions Inc., a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC X23), offers low-cost, long-term prescription drugs. A professionally registered pharmacist fills all Canadian prescriptions. A certified member of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, DoctorSolve™ is ranked as one of the best online Canadian pharmacies.
DoctorSolve™ is ranked as one of the best Canadian pharmacies online. DoctorSolve™ has filled more than 200,000 U.S. prescriptions.
For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit https://www.doctorsolve.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy since 1999.