Badhansel:
First, I'm not an MD nor am I employed by any part of the US health industry -- and note that I stated "industry" and not "system."
Ahem! Anywho, I'd like to caution against using broad declamatory strokes in painting MDs as unhelpful or dangerous to our individual or collective health. I have found that many very good docs too many of whom are laboring under industrial conditions within corporate-controlled healthcare. And before anyone starts in on "government-controlled" healthcare I can state from personal experience that it is no worse - in many ways better - and certainly less expensive.
marzopolis:
You are very fortunate to have found good doctors. That hasn't been the case in the ones whom dealt with the super-obese women in my life. All I did was educate myself, go with them to their MDs, ask intellegent questions and they couldn't (or wouldn't) provide answers. I found that common sense in modern medicine seldom exists, and none of those arrogant sons of bitches would give ANY credibilty to what the female patients were saying in terms of self- observation and diagnosis; which ultimately turned out to be correct.
Several weeks later, they received notices that they were no longer acceptable as patients of the "good doctors".
I certainly hear you brother. I've met with more bad ones than good to be sure and I'm afraid that the current corporatization of medical care bodes even more ill - in every way possible. Wish you well in finding sensible MDs and care.
