Re: [Leica] Off Topic: ER doctors and charges

[Walter S Delesandri <walt@jove.acs.unt.edu>]

My apologies to the group--- I sent this as a personal reply to Ernie's post--
don't know how it got the group's address attached......

Walt


On Thu, 12 Nov 1998 08:55:06 -0600 (Central Standard Time) Walter S 
Delesandri <walt@jove.acs.unt.edu> wrote:
> Hello, Ernie
> 
> Well, of course my post was in part flame bait!
> Actually, I was responding to a post from a journalist about how he 
> feared the wrath of the MD community from past experiences.  I.E., how 
> the community was intolerant of ANY criticism.
> 
> Certainly, having been involved in Leica (sales and use) and so-called
> high-end audio, I have had MANY contacts with the medical community, and 
> MANY friends from the same.
> However, it is NOT a case of a few bad apples.  You sound like a 
> rational, likable person.  I have a personal PCP who I dearly love, and 
> we talk photography regularly (he's a newbie)  I have the utmost respect
> for his profession, and he has the same for mine>  (I'm a staffer and an adjunct 
> faculty member in a large university photo program) BTW, my personal physician 
> made a CLEAR error in my treatment a year ago.  No permanent problem, but 
> about two weeks of hell.  I wouldn't THINK of suing or even complaining, because 
> he did what he/we thought was right at the time!!  As a former leica repairman, 
> I wonder how many MDs would have given me the same consideration  if I made 
> a mistake?  
> 
> The waiting time at most physicians' offices is 30min-1hour WITH an appointment.
> HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD WAIT 15 minutes to talk to a camera professional, or an 
> advisor in a college department, without raising hell?  I sense you might, but 
> what about the nearest 10 peers you can think of?
> 
> I have 20 years of photographic background including two degrees and many workshops.
> Camera repair alone was a 2-3 year training program, which was a waste in today's 
> disposable market ("specialty?")  I know AT LEAST as much about vacuum tube vintage 
> and high end audio as my doctor knows about the body.  (HE would'nt dispute this 
> claim, most others would)
> 
> At least lawyers have a sense of humor about their profession.  THAT was the 
> original point, that MDs will tolerate NO criticism, humor, or even an occasional 
> jab about their profession/personal extravagances.  It WASN'T a professional attack.
> 
> As for HMOs, I believe that I would have NO medical coverage without the price 
> controls they enforce.  If the medical profession were allowed complete freedom 
> of enterprise, they would have priced themselves out of my "market" -- sounds a 
> bit like Leica/Mcintosh/Audio Research, doesn't it?
> 
> If you're doing a good job at a fair price, and are considerate of your fellow (non-MD)
> humans, many whom are AS competent as you are, stand up and be proud--I'll salute 
> you.  Just bear in mind that I don't/won't consider you in the majority.
> 
> For the record, MOST camera repairmen are hacks, most university employees in this 
> field are dumbasses, most auto repairmen are thieves.  When you belong to 
> a group, people generalize about the GROUP.  If your group has a reputation
> as a bunch of arrogant, thieving assholes, you will be wrongly characterized.  
> 
> Half of my peers are basket cases, shouldn't be doing what they're doing.  When is 
> the last time you heard a physician NOT defend a dumbass peer?  (I realize that 
> your consulting job may help clarify some of this, and you have my support and 
> blessing in the matter)
> 
> As for those I have offended, if the shoe DOESN'T fit, THEN DON'T WEAR IT!!!
> I wasn't talking to you, anyway!!!  If the shoe fits, look at yourself, don't just 
> talk about the "nerve" I have--- there's more where this came from!!!
> 
> BTW, economic jealousy has NOTHING to do with it -  NO SOUR GRAPES HERE -- 
> If you have 5 times my income, I probably STILL have more expendible income 
> than you do-- long story......and I've owned more leicas and F-series nikon than 
> ANY doctor I know, except for one obsessive collector, who needs pills a hell of 
> a lot more than I do.........
> I have a ridiculously low cost of living, due to some choices I made years back,
> HALF my income is above my monthly costs....while not much, it's probably still 
> as much as the over-extended, image conscious "professional" person has to spend 
> on his toys.  I am VERY grateful to say this, and to work in a field that is also
> my major hobby -- I actually PITY my physician, who works 60+ hours a week and 
> can't afford an m4-2 and a used 50 (AND HE'S NOT LYING, EITHER)  He made different 
> choices, and now has to work to pay for them.
> 
> Enough of this, I had to respond because of the honest and rational feel of 
> your response.  
> 
> Walt in Denton -- not the originator of the thread, just fanned the flames and 
> put a little gas on them!
> 
> 
> On Thu, 12 Nov 1998 08:40:14 -0500 Ernest  Nitka <eenitka@axess.net> 
> wrote:Hello
> > As a physician i have read with interest the mini-thread about the $450
> > charge to a LUGer.  Several have responded with excellent insight - things
> > are expensive in this country and that is just the way it is.  I think
> > clearly the litiginous society that we live in contributes to this - I have
> > also come to the heretical conclusion that some amount of worry about law
> > suits is probably no so bad (hope no one from the AMA is monitoring).  What
> > I mean by this is that each and every one of us when we go to the doctor,
> > lawyer, architect, etc want to be treated with respect and to be listened
> > to.  When we aren't we sue.  Some low level concern about being sued i
> > believe keeps most of us more on our toes and a little more humble.  The
> > problem is that a good thing has been taken to extremes.
> > 
> > Also one thing to keep in mind is that many professionals don't hand over a
> > tangible product to a client and this often leads to being disparaged.  As a
> > physician all I have to offer to patients in return for their $ is: time,
> > integrity and experience and that's it.  Patient's can't grab onto and take
> > home time, integrity or experience although hopefully they realize that they
> > have been in the presence of those qualities.
> > 
> > Now to add one last twist ( and to use the 'L' word at least once in this
> > missive) I am recently able to afford Leica because I have taken on a
> > consulting job to review charges of my "peers" who have egregiously
> > overcharged!!??
> > 
> > Ernie
>