Hawaii county has the lowest rated health care in the state. (military, moving)

[Irish Eyes_Mrs. Z]

Originally Posted by Jane M

Irish eyes: what you have with your physician is called a "good rapport". You are not "friends" (as evidenced by the fact that you don't have contact with your doctor outside of their office).

Do hugs, cards, small gifts, and friendly emails simply count as "good rapport"?

And, since I don't have contact with my family and friends 90+% of the time mean I also only have "good rapport" with them? No. It means I don't like phone calls and texts, so don't engage in them unless someone contacts me, first. It means that I don't leave my house unless I'm with my husband (which, according to my doc, means I have agoraphobia)--not even to get the mail. It means I don't engage in the daily "drama" that goes on everyday with everyone I know, because the stress of it all is too much for me. It means I'm lucky if I get to see my children on major holidays, no matter how much I'd love to, because they have busy lives and traditions of their own. It means that most, if not all, of my friends (including my doc) and family are far enough away from me to make day trips untenable unless absolutely necessary. Which all means that I don't have contact with ANYONE except my husband almost all of the time.

Friendship is friendship, no matter who or what the source. To degrade it to something simply labeled "good rapport" is rather insulting, imho. You are free to call it what you want, label it as you please, and think whatever makes you happy, but for the relationship my doctor and I have with each other is definitely friendship. At least to us.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Getting back on topic..................

Finding good health care is a major reason that people return to the mainland from the BI. Especially as we age and start having more issues. My husband and I are lucky in that we have Kaiser and don't have to wait to get an appointment with a PCP. However, they are lacking in specialists on the BI, and you have to wait a long time to see one because they come over from Oahu only once a week. Or, if you need anything beyond an xray, such as PET scan or CAT scan, then you have to go to Honolulu. Our local hospital in Pahala does not have a doctor full time. We went to the emergency room one Saturday night and all that was there was an emergency room nurse. He stabilized my husband until the doctor arrived 20 minutes later. Luckily it wasn't life-threatening!

For people with other insurance, it can be more difficult to find a PCP. There's a clinic near where we live that has a very popular doctor, and they are not even considering new patients.

[terracore]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Anyone thinking about moving to the Big Island needs to prepare themselves that they may not get a primary care physician, perhaps ever. Many aren't accepting new patients and the few that do might be quite a drive away from you.

It is getting worse....

Hawaii's physician shortage grew 20 percent during past year - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL

Stop the fear mongering. There are clinics advertising that they are looking for new patients. Mango Medical had a sign up by Verna's in Hilo for a long time. My wife cold called them and saw the doctor right away just a few weeks ago. My PCP is also taking new patients.

Yes, the number of physicians per capita is dropping here. It is dropping everywhere. And since there are no plans in the works to fix it, this problem is only going to get worse... everywhere. Yes, it's a problem in Hawaii but it's only "a Hawaii problem" so long as our state does nothing to rectify the situation. My daughter is pre-med but the costs of education are going to exceed our capability to contribute to the solution.

[whtviper1]

Why would it be the state responsibility to fix the Doctor shortage?

To truly address the shortage, insurance rates would need to drastically increase which are mostly born by employers-which will impact wages. The insurance reimbursements simply aren't high enough to attract and retain physicians.

While your doctor might be accepting new patients that is definitely not the norm - choices are limited.

[terracore]

"Why would it be the state responsibility to fix the Doctor shortage?"

Because one of the other 49 states who are actively addressing the problem will get them. Hawaii is one of the most anti-business states in the country. Healthcare is a business.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by terracore

"Why would it be the state responsibility to fix the Doctor shortage?"

Because one of the other 49 states who are actively addressing the problem will get them. Hawaii is one of the most anti-business states in the country. Healthcare is a business.

I'll bite. How are the other 49 states addressing the doctor shortage.

The fix isn't complicated. Drastically raise insurance rates and increase reimbursements therefore increasing Doctor pay.

[stan4]

Also get tort reform.

And more resources. As a physician, it's not only terrible to get paid much less, but to not have the support system and resources you need to safely practice medicine is a problem.

Maui Memorial shutting down various services last year didn't exactly breed confidence. But it's par for the course in the entire state (though I see Queens is expanding).

[Jane M]

Originally Posted by Irish Eyes_Mrs. Z

Do hugs, cards, small gifts, and friendly emails simply count as "good rapport"?

And, since I don't have contact with my family and friends 90+% of the time mean I also only have "good rapport" with them? No. It means I don't like phone calls and texts, so don't engage in them unless someone contacts me, first. It means that I don't leave my house unless I'm with my husband (which, according to my doc, means I have agoraphobia)--not even to get the mail. It means I don't engage in the daily "drama" that goes on everyday with everyone I know, because the stress of it all is too much for me. It means I'm lucky if I get to see my children on major holidays, no matter how much I'd love to, because they have busy lives and traditions of their own. It means that most, if not all, of my friends (including my doc) and family are far enough away from me to make day trips untenable unless absolutely necessary. Which all means that I don't have contact with ANYONE except my husband almost all of the time.

Friendship is friendship, no matter who or what the source. To degrade it to something simply labeled "good rapport" is rather insulting, imho. You are free to call it what you want, label it as you please, and think whatever makes you happy, but for the relationship my doctor and I have with each other is definitely friendship. At least to us.

Geesh. I guess I rattled somebody's cage a little too hard. Sorry you took such great offense.

[Jane M]

Originally Posted by stan4

Also get tort reform.

yeah. gotta stop suing doctors for every little thing and for the greatest sums of money possible.

[punapirate]

I totally disagree with the original post here.

And I truly do not know what everyone is "bitching" about. Since I relocated here 4 years ago I have had no trouble whatsoever in finding quality health care. The Bay Clinic has a number of physicians on staff (where did you get your facts from?) - I just had major gastric surgery at Hilo Medical from a wonderful surgeon... my recovery was fast and without incident. Then last month I came down with Rapid Onset Acute Pneumonia - went to the PCMC in the Malama Market shopping centre and they (he - yes a DOCTOR) literally saved my life... I am much recovered and back to discovering our wonderful island.

24 years ago while living on Lanai my son "arrived" 10 weeks prematurely - we had to be medivac'd over to Oahu (Kapiolani Women & Childrens Hospital) - long story - 3 lb baby, stomach, pyloric surgery - 6 hours, crushed skull during delivery, lots of bleeding on brain... full recovery - now 24 years old and a strapping kid. I was worried (back then no Obama Care) about the $190K bill - the social worker had me sign some papers and told us that the State of Hawaii would cover it... damn I love my State.

I am not one to want to close the door after I relocated - but my advice to you if you have any negative opinions about my island - yeah, think about staying in St Pete. I am sick of people moving here then complaining about conditions. We are a third world country in many respects and that is welcomed here.

Oh, and I live on my SSI and medicaid/medicare - I have paid all my life into the system and now the system is helping me.

Another thing i would like to point out...
On our island we do truly try to live with Aloha... when I go in to see about my Medicare/Medicaid... the ladies are so helpful... they actually want to help and often go overboard to do so. Recently i turned 65 to the feds were going to deduct $129 from my SSI (don't get me started on how a-backward that is - up until now I had been paying nothing) but when I stopped in to see them they referred me to the state and the lady at the state office personally called the Medicare office to make sure that nothing was deducted from that months check.

We love our citizens here. On the mainland I have had nothing but problems with govt agencies... they look down on you and try everything in their power to disqualify you from assistance. If I never set foot on the mainland again it will be too soon.

Aye aye aye... what a rant... sorry about that...