Tuesday, July 08, 2008

More Summer Reading…

For reading of the in-person variety, a quick reminder for local readers that I’m reading and signing books tonight at 7:30 at Back Pages Books in Waltham, MA.

This Thursday, July 10 at 7:00 I’ll be reading and signing books at Porter Square Books in Cambridge, MA, followed by Life Disrupted’s (unofficial) launch party. So come to Porter Square, buy a book or two, bring a friend or two, and stick around! (For more details, see the sidebar of Scheduled Events.)

And now back to the original point of this post—here’s a really interesting essay from Salon.com that explores the dearth of primary care physicians in our country. You may remember I’ve touched on this issue before; primary care is complicated terrain for people with rare diseases.

Recent events illustrated yet again why I need to renew search for a primary care doc in my hospital network who accepts new patients. When I needed someone to see me for the intense, stabbing pain in my lower right quadrant (it turned out to be mesenteric adenitis), there was a lot of back and forth between specialists about the most appropriate person to see me. They both agreed on the ER in the end since they feared it was acute appendicitis, but that’s beside the point. We all need someone to field these kinds of issues, since they’re not typically the stuff of specialists.

Anyway, the dwindling number of family medicine doctors and internists is certainly not a news flash, but this essay is a thoughtful exploration of some of the reasons it’s happening. Enjoy!

5 comments:

britta said...

I too can't find a primary doctor who will take me with my complicated "issues"! Good news, I just ordered your book and should have it on Thursday! I can't wait to read it. :-)

Never That Easy said...

I'm on the prowl for a PCP right now, and it is SO frustrating: The people who answer the phone have no idea what the doctor does/does not know about certain diseases, and ask if you just want to come in instead. No, I'd rather not have 15 appointments with people who have no idea how to help me, thanks though. Sigh. And everyone says word of mouth is your best bet, but I'm not having much luck there either. Phone calls and e-mails and visits, Oh My.

On the plus side: I get to meet you!! I'm sooo excited... Fingers crossed for a great reading!

Journey77 said...

I just started a blog and I am trying to connect with others who share my problems. I am new to the chronic pain life and am trying to make the best of it. My blog starts out with my story, but will eventually get into how living with pain involves so very much. Please visit my blog and let me know what you think.
http://ergowrite.blogspot.com/

MJ said...

Great read, Laurie, thanks for posting that article.

Be well,
MJ

Tough Cookie said...

Hi there, fellow chronic illness fighter! I purchased your book, read through it, and then gave it to a friend who is also ill who could reallllyyyyy benefit from what you are saying. I hope she reads it and learns a lot from it!

 
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