Comments for e-Patient Dave

Comment on Decision: Just scrape it off. (“ED&C”) by Jerry Beutel

Jerry Beutel — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:30:58 +0000

Wow Dave, big question! The simple and perhaps obvious answer is that the approach I followed (and apparently you are following in choosing a treatment) is to research the topic and get facts and opinions from as wide a variety of people as possible (until you start hearing the same things over and over again). I tried to listen to nuance and subtle differences, and probe people to explain things that might seem to be self-explanatory. Surprising details often emerge. QA people call it the 5 why approach – meaning to dig down 5 levels of why something failed, or occurred, or is the way it is.

Next time you are in the Twin Cities I’d love to quick this topic around over dinner and a glass of wine. Let me know if this is of interest.

Comment on The Magic Incantation (for Rich Products) by e-Patient Dave

e-Patient Dave — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:26:33 +0000

Actually, Rich, my experience is that most docs have no ability to answer what it costs. That info is hidden from them just as it’s hidden from everyone else, including patients.

In all my conversations with providers it’s a given that I assume a respectful collaborative partnership… not everything we want is possible but we can sure talk about it.

Comment on The Magic Incantation (for Rich Products) by Rich Pomerantz

Rich Pomerantz — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:21:49 +0000

Asking a doctor how much will it cost is just a start. When the doc replies (as they most likely will) that s/he has no idea what the procedure/exam/etc costs, the empowered patient’s next question should be “How can I make any kind of educated choice about whether to let you treat me without knowing what it costs?” Asking a doc about cost opens an enormous can of worms, one which doctors are loathe to let anyone really examine, because it will affect their bottom line. They are just like everyone else, trying to preserve their income. doctors want cost to remain outside the treatment conversation, because they say it injects unnecessary and irrelevant factors into that discussion. That is only partly a valid concern. The true issue is just as much about protecting their income and keeping the patient “un-empowered”.

Comment on Decision: Just scrape it off. (“ED&C”) by The Magic Incantation (for Rich Products) « e-Patient Dave

The Magic Incantation (for Rich Products) « e-Patient Dave — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:01:44 +0000

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Comment on Decision: Just scrape it off. (“ED&C”) by e-Patient Dave

e-Patient Dave — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:06:32 +0000

Thanks, Jerry … it might be useful to compare my process with similar decisions you worked on in your business career. What similarities do you see in our approaches? What did you do in business when you wanted to make a good decision but you know next to nothing, at the start?

(All, Jerry and I went to high school together!)

Comment on Decision: Just scrape it off. (“ED&C”) by Jerry Beutel

Jerry Beutel — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:10:00 +0000

Dave, Way to lead the charge on proper medical procedure decision making! I’m continually impressed by your work in this area. And your willingness to share everything through social media and other venues is fantastic. You are making a significant and lasting impact on medical practice – congratulations – and thanks.

Comment on Decision: Just scrape it off. (“ED&C”) by e-Patient Dave

e-Patient Dave — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:13:49 +0000

Pauline, as shown in my earlier posts, my previous BCC was around 1978 with zero recurrence, which is one factor in my assessing the odds.

Comment on Decision: Just scrape it off. (“ED&C”) by e-Patient Dave

e-Patient Dave — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:13:00 +0000

Bev, it’s the whole package, not just the cash. I got my hands on the informed, I asked about my options (repeatedly), and, all things considered, *I* chose.

I’m starting to think that if they had HIGHER deductible plans, I’d be interested in that. Perhaps the only thing I’m willing to spend on is disaster insurance.

p.s. Mohs is a name, not a possessive w apostrophe. (Some people make it all caps for no reason – I think they figure anything weird that’s 4 letters or less must be an abbreviation!)

Comment on Decision: Just scrape it off. (“ED&C”) by Pauline

Pauline — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:10:35 +0000

Glad to hear it is sorted. I wish you a speedy recovery and zero recurrence!

Comment on Decision: Just scrape it off. (“ED&C”) by bev M.D.

bev M.D. — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:40:03 +0000

The most important point you made was that you would have felt cheated if the insurance co. had said you didn’t deserve Moh’s, but having made the decision yourself you were satisfied. Do you think this had to do with having ‘skin in the game’ (e.g. cash) or the feeling of empowerment it gave you, or both?
At any rate, glad it’s over with for you!