http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2005/05/sounds-like-primary-care-physicians.html Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:09:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2005/05/sounds-like-primary-care-physicians.html#comment-64867 Anonymous Wed, 12 Jul 2006 01:03:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2005/05/18389.html#comment-64867 A family medicine-trained physician is exactly what is needed for a complex patient with multiple ailments. Who else will diagnose and treat the patient with metabolic syndrome, bipolar affective disorder, and a nevus needing a biopsy? These "complex" patients are too "complex" for any other specialist to care for single-handedly. Instead, other providers would refer this patient to an endocrinologist, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, and a dermatologist. This method of treatment only splinters a patient into s set of discrete pathologies (when in fact these issues are part of a whole person) but also racks up massive healthcare costs. Family medicine can provide a part of the solution to our healthcare system's crisis. And at least for me, family medicine is a rewarding career. A family medicine-trained physician is exactly what is needed for a complex patient with multiple ailments. Who else will diagnose and treat the patient with metabolic syndrome, bipolar affective disorder, and a nevus needing a biopsy? These “complex” patients are too “complex” for any other specialist to care for single-handedly. Instead, other providers would refer this patient to an endocrinologist, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, and a dermatologist. This method of treatment only splinters a patient into s set of discrete pathologies (when in fact these issues are part of a whole person) but also racks up massive healthcare costs. Family medicine can provide a part of the solution to our healthcare system’s crisis. And at least for me, family medicine is a rewarding career.

]]>