Tag Archives: doctors

What if McDonald’s billed for services like hospitals?

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

One big problem in our healthcare system is its lack of price transparency.

Different insurance companies negotiate different rates with different networks. Middlemen called pharmacy benefits managers (PBM) similarly control drug prices. Cash pricing is something else altogether.

So it made me laugh to listen to two physicians—who I think are stars in the conversation about REAL healthcare reform—banter about trying to order a meal at McDonald’s…

… read on

Half of medicine isn’t evidence based (do your own research and ask more questions)

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

I just watched a video from Healthcare Triage, a YouTube series created by Aaron Carroll, MD. Dr. Carroll is both a pediatrician and a healthcare researcher; his goal is to educate patients about how the healthcare system works (or doesn’t) and answer questions about common health topics.

This video focuses on an unfortunate reality in our healthcare system—roughly half of common treatments aren’t based on good research.

… read on

The vaccination debate: A doctor’s commentary

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

August is National Immunization Awareness Month.

I’m very much pro-vaccines, and I’ve written many posts on the topic. I’ll link to some at the bottom of the post.

But first I want to share this video of one of my favorite medical vloggers, Doctor Mike, as he comments on the debate between pro-vaxxers and anti-vaxxers on YouTube’s Middle Ground series.

What I like … read on

One problem, one visit: When your free annual exam isn’t free

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

one problem one visitI got caught in a very common healthcare trap, and it could have cost me over $200.

I went in for my “free” annual exam that health insurance plans must cover as part of Obamacare’s preventive health benefits.

Typically, these exams—also known as Adult Wellness Visits (AWV)—are opportunities for the physician to tick a lot of boxes about your health habits (smoking, drinking, sex, etc.) and schedule you for a … read on

Polypharmacy is the new health crisis

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

polypharmacy is the new health crisisPolypharmacy is the rather uniquely Western medicine epidemic of popping too many prescription drugs.

There’s an old healthcare joke with the punchline “There’s a drug for that!” Sadly, that’s true.

It’s ironic, but too much health care is killing us, especially our seniors. A recent report by the Lown Institute shows the scope of the problem:

  • There’s been a 300% increase in polypharmacy over the last 20 years.
  • 42% of
… read on

Fascinating tidbits of medical history

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

medical historyI love reading about medical history and even minored in it when I was in nursing school.

Our current healthcare system may be a broken mess, but at least physicians and quasi-physicians aren’t still bloodletting and applying leeches (wait, haha yes we actually still use medical-grade leeches for a few things!).

Last week Cambridge University posted 500 fascinating excerpts from its “Casebook Project,” which is the transcription of over 80,000 … read on

Talking to a new doctor

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

talking to a new doctorGetting to know each other

I went to see my new primary care physician last week.

She’s my fifth PCP in eight years because of ever-changing provider networks, or doctors leaving primary care.

I asked friends for recommendations, read online bios and Yelp reviews, and looked for any history of malpractice suits.

Related post: Need a new doctor?

I went to the visit prepared with a short, organized list of … read on

Save time and money with Teladoc

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

teladocTeladoc worked for me

I’ve posted before about Teladoc and the other telemedicine providers. In our highly-technical age, telemedicine, I think, fills a useful niche for providing quick, inexpensive care for minor ailments.

Last weekend I finally got a chance to use it myself to see how it worked.

On Friday I suspected I might be coming down with a UTI (bladder infection). I decided to drink a lot … read on

Hospital safety tips

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

hospital safety tipsHospital safety and medical mistakes

It’s been a while since I posted about staying safe in the hospital, so it’s time for an updated post.

Because the problem really isn’t getting any better.

Although there’s been much effort over the last decade to increase patient safety and reduce medication errors, medical mistakes still contribute to approximately 250,000 deaths every year.

Different sources rate medical error as the second or third … read on

Drug-free prescriptions for better health

Frugal Nurse Posted on by

drug free prescriptions for better healthLifestyle matters

I remember a family practice doctor once telling me “Most of my patients aren’t sick. They’re lonely, unhappy, stressed or bored.”

His observation resonated with me.

So many somatic complaints, like headaches, back pain and digestive problems, stem from emotional upset.

Being isolated or bored or just unhappy with life leads to eating poorly and sitting too much, which in turn leads to heart disease, diabetes and depression.… read on