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pollogary t1_iu3n9tp wrote

There is a PCP shortage. That’s why concierge services like One Medical (which I highly recommend — there’s my advice) exist.

Specialists are tough everywhere. I saw a specialist in the Midwest that was booked a year in advance. You’ve always needed a referral for a specialist, every part of the country where I’ve lived.

Maybe you wouldn’t have gotten aggressive responses if you hadn’t called the city with some of the world’s top hospitals “total garbage.”

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UltimateZo OP t1_iu4izxr wrote

Hello! Appreciate the recommendation to One Medical. Do they have connections to the bigger hospitals/specialists? Or do they have their own internal specialists?

The title was created with intent. People respond quicker to titles with bold exclamations. Go look at Twitter, CNN, whatever news source you like and compare. They all do the same.

I did expect these types of responses, but I’m surprised how passionate people are with no regard for the issues with the current healthcare system in Boston. It’s like they’d rather just sweep complaints under the rug and keep preaching they are the “premier” and “best” hospitals. Doesn’t do much good if you can’t even accept that improvements can be made. There are many people who have commented on this post the exact same issues I’ve posted about, so I’m not a one off.

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nkdeck07 t1_iu4lfr9 wrote

>Doesn’t do much good if you can’t even accept that improvements can be made.

Oh please good sir, tell us how us unwashed masses can improve our hospitals! I'm dying to hear how you oh random redditor who can't even figure out that Boston hospitals CLEARLY serve a population area larger then 1 million is gonna magically fix this issue.

Seriously there's a nation wide PCP shortage and we have some of the best specialists in the country. To give you an idea I just moved further West in MA and the soonest I could get a PCP booked with literally ANYONE with a particular hospital was September and there's been a lot of complaints about that PCP. Based on that standard 6 weeks is amazingly fast.

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UltimateZo OP t1_iu4ly9w wrote

Weird you’re being so emotional about this. I was duly informed about the incorrect population value and fixed the figure about 12 hours ago. If insult of an incorrect numerical value is your stepping stone to act superior, I suggest therapy.

Yes I am aware of the PCP shortage.

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nkdeck07 t1_iu4o69i wrote

Exactly as suspected, zero ways to improve.

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UltimateZo OP t1_iu4unjj wrote

Sigh... I will give some advice on how to improve the current healthcare infrastructure. This is not all inclusive and just what I am thinking about off the top of my head in 5 minutes. Not even getting paid for this either...

  1. Reduce the PCP wait times: PCP is the gateway into the healthcare system in Boston, so this is a no brainer. Virtual appointments are a relic of COVID, and are actually a good thing. I am glad this has been fully integrated into the regular swing of healthcare and I am sure improvements can continue to be made with telehealth to increase capacity. How about PCP clinics? Or days with open walk-in PCP visits? What about incentivizing our future medical practitioners to focus on primary care? How about more investment into supporting the mental and physical health of PCPs? How about flexible appointments like group visits or after hours/weekend visits? Spitball ideas.
  2. The administrative burden is heavy: I am calling, waiting, and told to call this number. Then I call again, wait more, and no wait call this number. Boston's healthcare is built on a spiderweb of phone lines that is very inefficient. For every phone, there must be someone to pickup that phone. The entire registration process to get a Medical ID for MGH and BI is done on the phone. Get this online and get it online now. I am sure there are many other administrative duties that can be automated.
  3. Lose the unhealthy pride: If you want to improve the system and provide better care, you can't lash out when someone speaks ill of it. This post was born of frustration because the system is flawed, and that is OKAY. There will always and forever be criticisms in every field. Being able to think rationally about the information being presented and distill that down to something useful is the name of the game.

Have a good one nkdeck07.

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sarahmolly12 t1_iu8fzu4 wrote

As someone who works in this industry, yes your examples in #1 are clearly thought out, but I'll offer you some rationale why they're not feasible. You simply cannot prioritize the mental well-being of PCPs whilst also offering after hour and weekend care. It's an oxymoron. To offer open walk in days you'd have a 3 hour wait before the clinic even opened. And group visits? Not sure what you mean by this but it really doesn't seem HIPAA compliant. I know I'd personally never be seen as a group for a medical concern.

I do strongly agree that we need to incentivize more people to go into primary care, but sadly it's just not flashy the way specialties and sub specialties are. On top of that, you commented on the burden being a PCP has on one's mental health, when you could make double or even triple that as a specialist, it's rare to chose the lower paying option.

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UltimateZo OP t1_iu91yk9 wrote

I agree their are flaws in my suggestions, maybe thinking on it for 5 minutes gives me some leeway. Who knows the people in the comments are merciless so maybe not. shrug

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sarahmolly12 t1_iu8fnrs wrote

Perhaps if you feel strongly about improvements that need to be made for hospitals that literally serve the entire planet, you could work as a clinic manager. Hospitals are always seeking more employees.

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