Sorry I have not had time to blog.
I have been too busy studying for my Family Practice Boards (every 7 years.) It’s quite an ordeal for me; I have to memorize a lot of stuff (excessive pharmaceutical treatments taking precedence over nutritional, environmental and emotional issues) I don’t emphasize in my practice.
Nevertheless, I must remain up to date for many reasons, one of which is to get reimbursed by insurance companies who continue to dismiss the fact our practice saves them thousands of dollars, even though they have seen the future of health care; more social responsibility.
They are a bit concerned that their golden goose is threatened. Surely you saw right through their attempt to appear cooperative when the met with Mr. Obama last month at the White House, only to later oppose the plans to start a Public Health Insurance. Despite the plan being proposed to increase competition, a word they love, they fear they will be left in the dust.
If they truly believe in competition they would welcome the proposed addition. Perhaps they fear that, just like Medicare, the new plan will have a much lower cost due to lower overhead costs (more efficiency,) like Medicare; that is 5% compared to their bloated 15-25% overhead.
But, back to the Board Exam (next month.)
It turns out that this time around the exam-makers have finally added questions on non-pharmaceutical treatments; the evidence for some of these treatments cannot be denied any longer. They are asking doctors to bone up on treatments like:
Saw Palmetto: prostate problems
St John’s Wort: depression
Bilberry and other antioxidants: macular degeneration
Feverfew: migraines
Omega oils: heart and many other conditions
Sulfur: bladder
Vitamin D: osteoporosis, insulin resistance
Acetic acid, mineral/olive oils: ear canal infections
Capsaicin (red peppers:) shingles, burning mouth syndrome
Glucosamine: bones
Even though this is a very shy list, it is the first time my board exam includes this sort of things. I am sure the list will get longer. Maybe it will even be halfway decent by the time I retire….
