Lynne Perry
Sep 1, 2018 · 2 min read

Excellent article and as a retired RN I get a lot of queries from friends and family and often go with them to appointments. Understanding medical jargon and wading through all the possible side effects(have to keep the lawyers at bay) to recognize the benefits of a medication can be overwhelming for lay people.

Personally I have always preferred a small medical office with one to two MDs and maybe a NP or PA or two to the large clinics. BUT insurers are making these small offices more and more unsustainable with their myriad numbers and myriad requirements. I place a lion’s share of blame for the high cost of medical care on these Insurers requirements that mean a doctor has to have staff to manage all the required paperwork and meet each insurers requirements.

So I finally had to give up my last MD and move to a large Clinic practice. Finding a good fit for my spouse and me was a challenge. But I have a criterium that has worked well for the past 25y. I examine the list of MDs, and first look for female MDs and that they are of the Asian culture. As an RN student I spent most of my study time with my Asian friends due to their diligence and focus as well as their compassion and decreased bias. I also have found most of this group to be better listeners and communicators.

My husband was initially skeptical about a female MD but has found them to be much better than previous providers.

Fortunately the Clinical group we are with now meets the majority of your suggestions. Sadly too many Americans assume we have a great health care system and we do not. It is a minefield as it has become about pseudo nonprofits who are really about profit that benefits, as you say, CEOs, executives, suppliers, builders, and stock holders and treat patients and actual providers as fodder to feed their profits.

Thanks for helping to provide ammunition to defend ourselves.