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This is somewhat misleading because RA patients don’t need to be seen often by a Rheumatologist once treatment has begun. When I was first diagnosed I was seen once a month. With time I am seen less often, usually between 3 and 6 months. I am Canadian.
I have been struggling for a little over 2 years. It wasn’t until this past fall that I was given a diagnosis for fibromyalgia. In December, I was additionally diagnosed with RA. It has been a long haul and frustrating. Treatment has been slow up until now. Now it is just a waiting game. Wait and see what works. It would be wonderful if primary care physicians were better educated in these areas. I feel like I have lost too much time. Here is a link to my most recent stuggles~ http://ahappiermommy.blogspot.com/2011/07/naked.html
Kelly:
Re: “That means 680,000 people are currently diagnosed with RA. Okay, let’s divvy those up between 350 rheumatologists… By my math, that gives them 1943 patients a piece.”
You make a good point. Wouldn’t it make sense for governments to start making an effort to target specific HC needs in our populations? Currently, there is no system in place for doing so in the U.S., other than for example attempting to get more docs to practice in rural locations. Students choose specialties primarily by virtue of personal and professional qualification in conjunction with ultimate financial reward (also considering loan debt is usually huge). This system worked fine in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but is clearly outdated in the 21st century. How can we take a step in the right direction to ensure that chronic HC conditions are met with a proper societal response?
-Bob
I live in Hamilton the home of MacMaster and this artical does nothing but make me happy I agree there is a doctor shortage but it is not just rheumatologists its all doctors. I really belive the training of family Doctors is where it starts in most cases they are the ones that hold the Rec form the get us to a rheumatologist. My Doctor trained at Mac and caught my RA from a complant about hip pain. Sure there was alot more involved but I have often thought how luck I am to have a doctor that knows her stuff…
Wow, 350 in Canada? What about the US? No wonder it’s so hard to find a good rheumy!
Well I am also a canadian and have been fortunate that I see him ever 1-3 months ands hopefully graduate to every six months. My session with hims is he was etching a GP what o look for in her practice I hope she was listening and taking it to hard. I felt fortunate that she had the opportunity to learn the differences in all of of us as I do not have finger and toes damage but have severe/agressive RA and have lost both knees and shoulders. But toes and fingers are fine. I hope the new doc really listened to that statement.
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Joey,
While you may think my comments were misleading, please let me refer you back to something that Kelly continually tries to get people to understand. Each RA patient is different. We all require different amounts of care from our rheumatologists depending on the progression of the disease and whether or not we are responding to treatment. In my case, I am not responding well to treatment and have seen my rheumatologist at least 8 times in the last year. Beleive me, I am not complaining about the treatment I am receiving. I live in Hamilton and am fortunate to have been referred to a great rheumatolotist in a timely manner. Others in this province/country have to wait months and months for a referral. Yes, there is an overall shortage of doctors, however my particular interest is in RA treatment providers.