Comments on: Doctors and Barbers

By: Points of Interest #27 « Mind, Soul, and Body

Points of Interest #27 « Mind, Soul, and Body — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 01:19:40 +0000

[...] At Musings of a Distractible Mind, the always entertaining Dr. Bob responds to reader input, as he takes a offbeat look and the similarities and differences between Doctors and Barbers. [...]

By: Scalpel’s Edge » Blog Archive » SurgeXperiences 205: Evidence

Scalpel’s Edge » Blog Archive » SurgeXperiences 205: Evidence — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 23:17:49 +0000

[...] Just because you think something is true, doesn’t mean it is, as Dr Rob explains in Doctors and Barbers. [...]

By: JunkMD

JunkMD — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:04:40 +0000

I know I’m getting in on the tail of this but another point is that since the barber is able to collect cash for service, they don’t have to hire an additional ten people per barber just to try to collect monies owed by a third party. This, therefore, lowers their overhead dramatically.

By: dr. bean

dr. bean — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:28:41 +0000

I love your post, Dr. Rob. I see you are being cited as saying doctors are not barbers! But actually you seem to be saying that doctors should be more like barbers–with respect to being rewarded for quality. I completely agree.

@Ralph–Medical education doesn’t just educate doctors. Because doctors learn by doing, a lot of patient care gets done in the process. That’s why so much money is involved. I hope you’re not suggesting that the docs in training pay for that too. Hahahaha of course not.

By: John B

John B — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:12:08 +0000

1. I have cut my hair myself for about the last 10 years. (Granted, some of it has fallen out, but correlation does not equal causation.) It’s actually very easy.

2. I have also removed my own stitches, after an ACL operation. I was supposed to go into the surgeon’s office to have it done, but why bother? Snip and pull–it’s not brain surgery.

3. I won’t change my own oil. That’s going too far.

4. There is indeed a shortage of barbers. Find me a barber who will use the razor on my neck, not bend my ears around–ouch!–and won’t charge more than $14.

5. Dr. Rob, leave Georgia immediately! The Russians have invaded! And they don’t have insurance!

By: Ralph

Ralph — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:40:57 +0000

I don’t know where I stand on all this; but with respect to the point about the huge debt doctors usually carry long after they begin practice, shouldn’t we consider the tax dollars that fund the medical education system? I suspect that physicians pay a small percentage of the cost of their medical education. Also, federal payroll taxes fund the Medicare system that, despite its faults and inefficiencies, provides an automatic and steady income stream to physicians.

By: SeaSpray

SeaSpray — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:29:23 +0000

Interesting post.

You said”The main reason is that you grow attached to your patients and don’t want to lose a bunch of them.”

That’s sweet.

By: Robin

Robin — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:41:10 +0000

Since Gracie is having surgery tomorrow to remove a pituitary adenoma, I’ll answer in her place. (Forgive me, Gracie..lol…I know you’d do better than I!)

Never happen…dreadlocks are totally out of style.

But I bet Gracie would make a mean tattooist.

By: Dr. R

Dr. R — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:58:17 +0000

Doctors will never be unemployed because there will never be a shortage of sick people.
What will happen to barbers if having dreadlocks becomes as popular as getting tattoos and piercings.

By: Gary L

Gary L — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:48:52 +0000

I agree, this has been a very interesting post and comment. It makes me realize there are a few “humble” and insightful people out there.
Philb.
Yes, you are correct. When my parents raised me…they paid for ordinary doctor visits, and yes the fees were much lower. I remember less than 20 dollars/visit and that with an immunization. They carried major catastrophic coverage for the hospital. There weren’t as many (often useless) lab tests, and MRIs were non existent. (often over utilized) because of malpractice issues.
They carried catastrophic coverage for hospitalizations. equivalent to high deductibles HSAs but without all the B.S. I remember the coverage would start at 10,000 dollars…
What has happened is that we all expect cradle to grave access to health care, for colds, aches and pains…We have allowed and even encouraged insurance companies to take over and rule.

We sit and wait for someone else to fix the system do not become proactive, and wait each year for the bad news from the insurer, medicare, etc.

Patients….fire your classic insurance company, opt for a very high deductible or a major medical polilcy.
Doctors….stop taking insurance except for surgeries, hospitalizations and/or major workups.

You will see how fast the insurers belly up and change their tune…..Americans unite, we do not need them…