Comments for A Country Doctor Writes:

Comment on Who Needs a Physical? by DocJock

DocJock — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:38:49 +0000

I am a GP in Scotland, but previously practised for 14 years in Canada. The concept of the annual physical is simply unknown here in the UK, and I don’t think patients suffer because of that. When I practised in Canada, I did pick up the occasional previously undiagnosed problem, such as a breast lump or an enlarged prostate. But the most valuable part of the appointment was simply getting to know my patient better.
In the UK, some companies encourage their employees to have a physical through their private health insurer. The main effect of this is that patients then turn up to see me with a print out with a mildly elevated lipid level (in someone with no other risk factors), or an slightly abnormal exercise ECG in an asymptomatic patient. This results in further investigation, almost always resulting in nothing significant being found.

Comment on A Real Pain by Johan

Johan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:21:32 +0000

As usual you hit the nail on the head.

The spectrum of pain, the many ways it can present itself, never cease to amaze me. That chronic pain needs a whole different approach than acute pain was something that the teachers talked about back in medical school, and even if it takes a lot of experience to learn to deal with it, it is something that you must do to survive as a GP.

I continue to read your blog. Keep up the good work.

Hälsningar från Sverige!

Comment on A Hero’s Pain by Howie Schaffer

Howie Schaffer — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:09:02 +0000

I agree with you that war heroes are a minority. But I am uncomfortable with your seeming dismissiveness of cultural competency training for doctors. Healthcare is where the rubber hits the road when it comes to the “global marketplace.” Hospitals, even in rural areas, regularly face patients from more than 50 ethnicities, 15 religious groups, and other populations including LGBT, disabled, deaf/hard of hearing, and blind/low vision. Veterans deserve our respect. But we must also take time to understand that not all people from all background have been welcome in the military. The military has historically been hostile toward LGBT, minority, and atheist soldiers. So not everyone has had the chance to be a “hero.” Too many people that would have gladly given their lives for the United States, were victims of discrimination that prevented them from having the opportunity to serve. Let’s honor our veterans. But let’s not minimize the importance of training doctors to understand that one size does not fit all when it comes to treatment.

Comment on A Hero’s Pain by isaac

isaac — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:03:36 +0000

Interesting. My mom was just relating the pain my grandpa was going through (WWII vet) and how nothing seems to touch it. Pain management is woefully addressed in our society.

Comment on A Real Pain by Steph

Steph — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:09:55 +0000

Great post! It made great sense to me having been recently diagnosed with neuropathic pain.

I was prescribed a low dose of Amitriptylene to treat the chronic pain experienced post-osteomyelitis as I was not getting sufficient relief from increasing doses of conventional pain medications. To my amazement, the pain has faded away and I now rarely require any other form of pain relieving medication.

Comment on The Power of Words by elizabeth

elizabeth — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:23:53 +0000

Thank you! All this information I could read all day. all the knowledge overwhelms me. The writings are so caring and written with compassion with some humor mixed in, I like that. I have experienced a frontal lobe brain stroke…an emotional stroke caused by a very abusing husband using psycological and emotional abues as not to leave any cuts or brusing on my skin to be seen by others. I looked up the medically term for my condition. There was a bacteria in my heart that traveled to the keeper of my emotions in my brain and all the emotions broke down ( no matter how hard I tried to fight the abuse) i understand my condition. I am healing and Praise God The best healing I get besides prayer is “Bluegrass Music’ ther I find solace and forget about the bad in the world and get lost in the artist and their music. …Blue Ridge Mtn Girl.

Comment on The Shadow of the Object by Christine

Christine — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:35:13 +0000

I just want to say that when I read your blog, I thought to myself: That is so true! Very enjoyable.

Keep writing!

Comment on The Shadow of the Object by Control « ∞ itis

Control « ∞ itis — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:58:58 +0000

[...] a new post up (The Shadow of the Object) over at A Country Doctor Writes: … we never “get over” loss or trauma – we just have [...]

Comment on The Shadow of the Object by isaac

isaac — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:35:14 +0000

Shadow of the object – I like that phrase as deep grief becomes a companion, not something that goes away.

Comment on Trouble at 6 O’clock by Dee

Dee — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:10:16 +0000

Can I ask how many lumps you’ve found doing CBEs that the woman hasn’t already found? Just curious, because my GP said that in 30 years of practice he’s only found one that the woman hadn’t found (he knows I do cancer-related policy work, so we were chatting about it while he was doing my CBE a couple weeks ago). Just a note – he does them thoroughly and correctly.