Comments on: Implications of the feminization of medicine http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/10/implications-of-feminization-of.html medical blog Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:15:05 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: boatski http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/10/implications-of-feminization-of.html/comment-page-1#comment-67769 boatski Tue, 10 Oct 2006 23:27:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/10/implications-of-the-feminization-of-medicine.html#comment-67769 Being genuinely nicer=spending more time with each person=catching the subtle symptoms and signs which otherwise might be missed=not making as much money=but a little more piece of mind and maybe happier! At least on the diagnosis end this is true. I think studies of human behavior, emotions and reactions are hard to be scientific about. Gut feeling and personal experience counts for a lot.<br/>Regarding the physician shortage, at least in primary care in the Western US, as a long-time locums physician, I think any shortage is no greater than its ever been and probably less. I often wonder if the people who study and pronounce these shortages are taking into account the trend among states to legalize the independent practice of NP's and PA's. And are they still using as ideal standards the Physician/Population ratios from the old days when the physicians were the only providers? <br/>Another interesting aspect: those who are studying and pronouncing shortages often are working in medical institutions and thus somewhat biased since greater med student increases equals greater job security for them! Being genuinely nicer=spending more time with each person=catching the subtle symptoms and signs which otherwise might be missed=not making as much money=but a little more piece of mind and maybe happier! At least on the diagnosis end this is true. I think studies of human behavior, emotions and reactions are hard to be scientific about. Gut feeling and personal experience counts for a lot.
Regarding the physician shortage, at least in primary care in the Western US, as a long-time locums physician, I think any shortage is no greater than its ever been and probably less. I often wonder if the people who study and pronounce these shortages are taking into account the trend among states to legalize the independent practice of NP’s and PA’s. And are they still using as ideal standards the Physician/Population ratios from the old days when the physicians were the only providers?
Another interesting aspect: those who are studying and pronouncing shortages often are working in medical institutions and thus somewhat biased since greater med student increases equals greater job security for them!

]]> By: zachawry http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/10/implications-of-feminization-of.html/comment-page-1#comment-67671 zachawry Thu, 05 Oct 2006 05:38:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/10/implications-of-the-feminization-of-medicine.html#comment-67671 I distinctly remember (reading with interest because my wife is a doctor) the results of a malpractice study that said, essentially, doctors sued for malpractice were *on average* no more likely to make mistakes than doctors who are not sued. <br/><br/>The great distinguishing factor between those who get sued for malpractice and those who don't is not competance at all (on average, of course); it's how well they are liked by their patients. <br/><br/>In a nutshell, if an arrogant doctor blows off his/her patients and a bad outcome results, they are more likely to sue if he was very nice before the same outcome. <br/><br/>This was backed up by heavy statistical sampling of court cases, but it's also just common sense. If something goes wrong, you're much more likely to say "well, doctors are people too, and sh*t happens" if the doctor had a good relationship with you to begin with. I distinctly remember (reading with interest because my wife is a doctor) the results of a malpractice study that said, essentially, doctors sued for malpractice were *on average* no more likely to make mistakes than doctors who are not sued.

The great distinguishing factor between those who get sued for malpractice and those who don’t is not competance at all (on average, of course); it’s how well they are liked by their patients.

In a nutshell, if an arrogant doctor blows off his/her patients and a bad outcome results, they are more likely to sue if he was very nice before the same outcome.

This was backed up by heavy statistical sampling of court cases, but it’s also just common sense. If something goes wrong, you’re much more likely to say “well, doctors are people too, and sh*t happens” if the doctor had a good relationship with you to begin with.

]]> By: lawyersux http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/10/implications-of-feminization-of.html/comment-page-1#comment-67660 lawyersux Wed, 04 Oct 2006 23:00:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/10/implications-of-the-feminization-of-medicine.html#comment-67660 What study are you referring to which shows a direct corellation between "customer service" and likelihood to sue? What study are you referring to which shows a direct corellation between “customer service” and likelihood to sue?

]]> By: CJD http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/10/implications-of-feminization-of.html/comment-page-1#comment-67654 CJD Wed, 04 Oct 2006 21:47:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/10/implications-of-the-feminization-of-medicine.html#comment-67654 Forgive me if I take the word of physicians who have actually studied the issue and have a clue about it. Forgive me if I take the word of physicians who have actually studied the issue and have a clue about it.

]]> By: lawyersux http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/10/implications-of-feminization-of.html/comment-page-1#comment-67649 lawyersux Wed, 04 Oct 2006 19:33:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/10/implications-of-the-feminization-of-medicine.html#comment-67649 No,it's you who can't read; you somehow equated the risk of lawsuits with customer service, which is utter bullshit in my opinion. No,it’s you who can’t read; you somehow equated the risk of lawsuits with customer service, which is utter bullshit in my opinion.

]]> By: CJD http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/10/implications-of-feminization-of.html/comment-page-1#comment-67640 CJD Wed, 04 Oct 2006 16:58:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/10/implications-of-the-feminization-of-medicine.html#comment-67640 I'm starting to think you can't read. I never said bad outcomes were about customer service. I’m starting to think you can’t read. I never said bad outcomes were about customer service.

]]> By: lawyersux http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/10/implications-of-feminization-of.html/comment-page-1#comment-67635 lawyersux Wed, 04 Oct 2006 16:26:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/10/implications-of-the-feminization-of-medicine.html#comment-67635 Bad outcomes have nothing to do with "customer service". In my last lawsuit, where family was suing after mom did too much cocaine and dropped dead in the ER, the family was suing no matter who the doc was, male female, dog. They sued everyone who's name pissed the chart. I know an ER director who's name used to be on every chart, so he'd be dragged into lawsuits when he was doing his military time in Afghanistan. Bad outcomes have nothing to do with “customer service”. In my last lawsuit, where family was suing after mom did too much cocaine and dropped dead in the ER, the family was suing no matter who the doc was, male female, dog. They sued everyone who’s name pissed the chart. I know an ER director who’s name used to be on every chart, so he’d be dragged into lawsuits when he was doing his military time in Afghanistan.

]]> By: CJD http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/10/implications-of-feminization-of.html/comment-page-1#comment-67618 CJD Wed, 04 Oct 2006 01:58:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/10/implications-of-the-feminization-of-medicine.html#comment-67618 But Gasman, before this becomes another pissing match, you should really take what I'm saying to heart. Multiple studies BY PHYSICIANS have shown this. I'm sure it doesn't surprise you - it's the same in any customer service situation. But Gasman, before this becomes another pissing match, you should really take what I’m saying to heart. Multiple studies BY PHYSICIANS have shown this. I’m sure it doesn’t surprise you – it’s the same in any customer service situation.

]]> By: CJD http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/10/implications-of-feminization-of.html/comment-page-1#comment-67617 CJD Wed, 04 Oct 2006 01:55:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/10/implications-of-the-feminization-of-medicine.html#comment-67617 "It means that many factors other than causation, breach of standard, and resulting harm go into the creation of a lawsuit."<br/><br/>Well of course many factors go into a lawsuit starting. That's any lawsuit. If the other guy hits my car and his insurer lowballs me a few hundred dollars, it may not be worth my time to argue about it. Same thing with deciding to consult a lawyer. Most people have no idea what the legal standards for a claim are, including most physicians.<br/><br/>The lawyer serves as the gatekeeper beyond that, because it is his/her money on the line. <br/><br/>"Where the courts err is that the system fails to objectively evaluate claims, but continues to rely upon subjective and emotional factors in reaching conclusions. Garbage in, garbage rulings out."<br/><br/>Unfortunately for you, the first nonpartisan study in decades proved this claim wrong. And since I'm pretty sure you have no idea what the standard a judge uses when he makes "rulings", you have no idea what you're talking about. “It means that many factors other than causation, breach of standard, and resulting harm go into the creation of a lawsuit.”

Well of course many factors go into a lawsuit starting. That’s any lawsuit. If the other guy hits my car and his insurer lowballs me a few hundred dollars, it may not be worth my time to argue about it. Same thing with deciding to consult a lawyer. Most people have no idea what the legal standards for a claim are, including most physicians.

The lawyer serves as the gatekeeper beyond that, because it is his/her money on the line.

“Where the courts err is that the system fails to objectively evaluate claims, but continues to rely upon subjective and emotional factors in reaching conclusions. Garbage in, garbage rulings out.”

Unfortunately for you, the first nonpartisan study in decades proved this claim wrong. And since I’m pretty sure you have no idea what the standard a judge uses when he makes “rulings”, you have no idea what you’re talking about.

]]> By: Gasman http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/10/implications-of-feminization-of.html/comment-page-1#comment-67615 Gasman Wed, 04 Oct 2006 00:45:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/10/implications-of-the-feminization-of-medicine.html#comment-67615 Exactly CJD.<br/><br/>It means that many factors other than causation, breach of standard, and resulting harm go into the creation of a lawsuit. Where the courts err is that the system fails to objectively evaluate claims, but continues to rely upon subjective and emotional factors in reaching conclusions. Garbage in, garbage rulings out. Exactly CJD.

It means that many factors other than causation, breach of standard, and resulting harm go into the creation of a lawsuit. Where the courts err is that the system fails to objectively evaluate claims, but continues to rely upon subjective and emotional factors in reaching conclusions. Garbage in, garbage rulings out.

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