The Future.

I read an interesting article this morning about the primary care physicians who cannot retire because there is no one take their place. This is especially true in rural locations. For the most part, these are one doctor towns. The article also highlights the fact that most young physicians are going into specialties, which allow for a better pay and more reasonable hours. This is going to be an issue in the future as the amount of primary care physicians decrease and the need increases. The President Obama's plan, many more uninsured Americans will soon be getting health care, so the need will become even greater.

It brings up some interesting points. Medicals students are $200k in debt coming out of school and don't plan to spend the rest of their lives paying it off. There needs to be more incentive to join primary care. Working for a federal clinic is an option, since many have loan-forgiveness programs. Also, primary care needs to be more than just a spring board to send patients to the required specialist. For all the work they do, they don't nearly get enough credit. Primary care physicians are the first line of care for most, if not all, patients and they should be acknowledged and compensated for it. We need to move away from procedure-based reimbursement.

And now I move onto myself. I just had a turkey sandwich. I've switched to buying turkey cuts from Cupecoy Market. I tried the processed turkey from the grocery store, but I can't deal with slimy meat. It may cost more, but at least they actually use a real roast of turkey.

I've heard people talking about the stores here; one day you'll find something and then you return a week later, it's gone. I'm starting to experience it firsthand. I guess we get spoiled in the states, expecting everything to be there when we arrive. There really is no efficient distribution system here. When they run out, they order more. It makes you appreciate the system back home, but also reminds me how complacent I am back home.

I'm compiling my list of items I need. It includes more t-shirts (they aren't kidding when they say the weather is good day and night), iPod and workout gloves (for the gym), and an umbrella. So far I've been good about timing the rains, but I was caught in one and I hope to have avoid that next time around. Plus, there is not much of a window before class, so if I need to go in it, I'd rather be somewhat prepared.

The class trip is coming. We're going to Prickly Pear island on a catamaran. According to wikipedia, the island is known for prickly pears and had alot of tourism. It has a native population of 12. It is also radioactive, since the British stored spent fuel rods from their submarines on the island. They are housed in mud covered wooden huts. Not exactly the 18 inches of concrete I would have hoped for. Well, the water is supposed to be great there (must be a great heatsink for the fuel rods).

Time to get ready for anatomy. Everyday, I wake up from my daily nap, and I debate the merits of going to lab. I learn everything I need the weekend before the exam, but not much I can do about the attendance policy, so I'm roped in. I figure I'll save my excused absences for the end of the semester, so I can get out and focus on studying.

And with that, I'm off...