Many doctors wish to work in set-ups where (poor) patients can avail of their consultations at low fees or no fees. Charitable clinics and hospitals claim to provide this opportunity. My experience is that the ambience, location and general set-up of these clinics is such that poor patients feel intimidated and seldom come to such places. My pet grouse is that these clinics are crowded with typical middle-class and upper middle-class persons who can actually afford healthcare at market rates.
I wonder why the charitable hospitals do nothing to reach out to the really poor clientele, who would benefit from charity. I wish the doctors were also more judicious in committing themselves to such enitities. It is very sad that a doctor enters the facility with an intention of helping an economically challenged person, and what he/she encounters there is a banker/ business consultant/ wholesale magnate takng treatment at cut-rates. This situation is sure to drive any doctor to frustration.
It also frustrates the really needy patients, who get displaced by the affording persons. The poor patients have nowhere else to go.Generally the affording class are more educated, aware and therefore more assertive and demanding of the doctor's time and patience.
Therefore, I feel it is best for doctors to work independently and give generous discount to the economically backward patient who comes for treatment. This is the lesson I learnt from experience, no one told me about it. And I would request affording patients to enquire about the doctor's private clinic and seek consultation there and not to occupy the time and space meant for their less fortunate fellow-beings.
I wonder why the charitable hospitals do nothing to reach out to the really poor clientele, who would benefit from charity. I wish the doctors were also more judicious in committing themselves to such enitities. It is very sad that a doctor enters the facility with an intention of helping an economically challenged person, and what he/she encounters there is a banker/ business consultant/ wholesale magnate takng treatment at cut-rates. This situation is sure to drive any doctor to frustration.
It also frustrates the really needy patients, who get displaced by the affording persons. The poor patients have nowhere else to go.Generally the affording class are more educated, aware and therefore more assertive and demanding of the doctor's time and patience.
Therefore, I feel it is best for doctors to work independently and give generous discount to the economically backward patient who comes for treatment. This is the lesson I learnt from experience, no one told me about it. And I would request affording patients to enquire about the doctor's private clinic and seek consultation there and not to occupy the time and space meant for their less fortunate fellow-beings.
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