Cash and Money

You sometimes I just wonder about people and what has happened to healthcare. I saw a nice family this week who's child had an allergic rash. When I came back to the room to talk about our plan and told her that she was going to need to get some over the counter steroid cream she responded.."wait, wait, I am going to have to pay for something?!?!" I honestly didn't know what to say and we are certainly not talking about an expensive item that is likely going to take the rash away. Is that how the public thinks healthcare should work? All the care should be free and all the medications free? Let's see what healthcare reform has in store for us.

90%?

While this post is not about the rumored Apple tablet PC, I do find it pretty cool and maybe it would even have possible benefits to the healthcare industry. Today in the ER, I asked one of the financial experts and she claimed that 90%, yes 90% of the ER visits to our Pediatric ER get paid for! I was shocked by this number...could it actually be this high? I do think that it is good that the hospital is actually getting paid when kids come in with nothing, there needs to be a line drawn. Maybe you should be charged for ER visits that could be seen at your community MD. I still am amazed by how many people actually have primary doctors and yet they do not actually go to them! They only go for well child visits. I don't know, once again it all seems wrong to me.

ER Continues!

Yes I am still in the ER!! The Monday's are always crazy around here...my muzing for the day has to be the visit to the ER for "coordination of care." 2 patients came in for this today. What is this you ask? It is when people come to the ER not for any complaint, but in order to get hooked up to the referring service. The scary thing is that patients are often actually referred from their primary doctor! Now this is instead of the way I would think to go to a specialist...I would go to my primary doctor and have them refer me. I sometimes just don't get it. I would love to hear people's thoughts. Happy Monday!

The Emergency Room!!

Talk about the front lines of medicine! This is where people go when the healthcare system fails. It really is amazing as 90% of the families that I see come for a fever for 2 hours...and at 3am! Go figure! Hey, it is often free because it is an emergency right. I do not know what the answer is, but we will see what ObamaCare brings us!

A large problem where I work is immigrant care and what to do about it. It certainly is costing America and arm and a leg, but will the new and improved system that is going through Congress do anything for the problem? It remains to be seen. Any thoughts on this internet world: Undocumented Immigrant Care.

Stay tuned for future healthcare related posts!

Back in New York and Happy Mother's Day

So I have started spreading the news (you know the song)! So the big day is finally near and graduation is this Friday! I started my first night back in NYC like anyone would with hitting the town! It was the latest that I stayed out in like 6 months, wow. So I am still like out of money! So sad that a 28 year old guy still has to ask his parents for money. Well, hopefully those times are nearing and end. But hey, if anyone is looking for a bright minded, young lad with some medical knowledge..then this is the place. Oh yes, you can follow me on twitter, my tag is sharkoff. Happy Mother's Day mom!

p.s. don't forget to at least call you mom

Been Behind!

Hey all, so I hear that I have disappointed a few of you by not updating the blog. I feel bad, and here I am! I have had to take care of graduation things such as a ton of forms and signatures to get, boo! Oh, I got to speak my mind about what I thought of the educational experience of the 4th year of medical school. As you guessed, I think it is pretty much a waste of time. ANYWAY, I have restarted my tennis career and am playing a tournament this weekend!! Sadly, I ripped my calf muscle training, so we will see how that goes. On the other side of things ($ that is) I have been writing a few hockey playoffs blogs. Check them out here (http://www.floridapanthersnews.com/stanley96/weblog). That is fun to write about. You can get your info on who to bet on if you are into that. Disclaimer: all predictions are from my crystal ball, you can choose to agree or not to agree). Hope all is well with all of my followers and I will get back to regular posting again.

Been a Few Days, but doing well.

Boy is it rainy here in Jacksonville, FL. What a perfect day to blog;-). Again I want to thank all the followers. I plan on actually starting a health care policy commentary as soon as the government officially gets their plan going. I am sure it will be interesting!


Anyways a bit of an update. So I asked some other people who have gone through the match already about what they did during this time. You know what they said? Do nothing, lol. I feel like I am ahead of the game now. The 12 year old never emailed me back so that is all good, I think I would have won anyways. Otherwise, the tennis has been going very well I have given a few lessons which is nice. I forgot how much I love doing that. Oh, I actually got paid for one of my odd jobs before I started blogging. It was definitely a little sketch!

Until next time..

Thank You All and Job Leads!!

First off, I just wanted to thank everyone who has supported the blog after just one day! As I sit down right now, I have 4 followers! I have to say this is 3 more than I expected considering I was the first follower;-) Anyway, the Gods have shined down upon me. Since the last post, I came across a 12 year old on Craigslist that has apparently beaten everyone's #$& in the Jacksonville area (in tennis that is). All I have to do is not let the 12 year old beat me. That sounds easy enough to me. Famous last words right?

What else have I done today? Oh yes...I don't have a computer anymore, so I must limit all of my computing activities to a 30 min time limit per day in the library (at least it is free). Ya I have to save up for a computer as well..donations?

Well on a positive note, I get to play tennis tonight with an old friend. I think I need to practice for the 12 year old because if I don't win, I do not get paid $$$.

P.S. Shout out to Beamen for his bday!

The Begining!

Greetings from Florida! Yes this is the 4th year of a New York medical school. No, I did not go on a trip to the Caribbean. This is my home...Miami, FL. As beautiful as it is, the world has me worried. I have to get an apartment, car, and start paying off my loans very soon. That is why I am here...I am starting my job search. I have already held one job since the end of January when the rotations ended and that was selling insoles. Not what you would expect for graduating medical school. Oh yeah I forgot, everyone I know is going on a vacation in their 4th year! Wish me luck as the journey begins.