[Publius Valerius]

The Van Vleck quote is about continuity of care--treating a patient instead of an illness. Family medicine. Opportunity to screen a patient for other problems, like, why does this patient catch so many colds?

P.S.: That's not really what this doctor is saying. Read what he says again:

"'When I see a kid for a sore throat, I get to go through their chart. If they have a little bit of scoliosis I might check their spine. I will check their immunization record. We go over the record, and we try to go over what's going on besides the sore throat, or besides the ear infection.'"

I've got scoliosis. When I go to a doctor for a sore throat, I don't want him checking my back. I want a prescription for an antibiotic. Checking a patient for back trouble has NOTHING to do with why he has a sore throat--it's merely a way to run up the bill.

"Oh, so you've got a sore throat, huh? Great...say, I see you haven't had your Typhus fever immunization this year....Hmmm. What, you say you're not going to be aboard an 18th Century British sailing ship and don't need it? Well, you never know. Let's just get you set up with Typhus fever, huh? Great...that'll be $100. Thanks for stopping by!"

[Mamzelle]

re: Checking a patient for back trouble has NOTHING to do with why he has a sore throat--it's merely a way to run up the bill.)))

If you knew anything about the laws concerning billing and medical regulations, you'd know that he CAN'T run up the bill! An office visit is an office visit. Actually, I wish they'd OTC some antibiotics and have done with it, and let people medicate themselves.

re: Oh, so you've got a sore throat, huh? Great...say, I see you haven't had your Typhus fever immunization this year....

Something tells me that a doc recommended that you get current for tentanus, and you thought he was a greedy b@stard for suggesting such a thing.