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Ask HN: How can you buy high quality healthcare?

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Re: Ask HN: How can you buy high quality healthcare?

#51

Post by bowsamic »

legitster wrote: post #38

So, other medical systems around the world are cheaper, but that doesn't make them magic. Chronic pain - especially back pain - is often an unsolvable quagmire for most doctors. Not a doctor, but several family members have had to go through something similar. So here is my advice: - Get imaging tests (Xray, MRI). And screen out the any of the worst case scenarios (like tumor or etc). But if there is nothing inherent…

Yeah, a physiotherapy course is the standard treatment for "weird body pain with no visible problem on MRI" here in Germany. I'm surprised to hear if that isn't the case in your country.

Re: Ask HN: How can you buy high quality healthcare?

#52

Post by eszaq »

zrail wrote: post #45

If you're willing to read a book, I can recommend Back Mechanic: https://www.amazon.com/Back-Mechanic-Stuart-McGill-2015-09-3... It gives you a lot of information so you can a) intelligently talk about your pain to your providers and b) build up strength and flexibility in your back to hopefully address the issue on your own.

This book did a tremendous amount to help me with my chronic pain issues: https://www.painscience.com/tutorials/trigger-points.php

Re: Ask HN: How can you buy high quality healthcare?

#53

Post by shiftpgdn »

legitster wrote: post #38

So, other medical systems around the world are cheaper, but that doesn't make them magic. Chronic pain - especially back pain - is often an unsolvable quagmire for most doctors. Not a doctor, but several family members have had to go through something similar. So here is my advice: - Get imaging tests (Xray, MRI). And screen out the any of the worst case scenarios (like tumor or etc). But if there is nothing inherent…

It's worth keeping in mind that the quality of Xray and MRI machines vary greatly and the facility doing the scans typically won't be upfront with what machines they're using. You are the only person who is ever going to advocate for the treatment you get so you'll need to be very firm but polite to get this information.

Re: Ask HN: How can you buy high quality healthcare?

#54

Post by bowsamic »

mattlondon wrote: post #46

Sounds like you are paying for what the NHS in the UK will offer - they'll get you there but it is often slow and quite convoluted, but it is free! Private care in the UK can be very fast - e.g. I went from an initial consultation with a doctor for "knee pain" to having two sessions with a consultant and an MRI complete and booked in for physiotherapy within 48 hours. Things are often done the same day or within 24-4…

Unfortunately private care in the UK may not be so great when the NHS starts to fully break down

Re: Ask HN: How can you buy high quality healthcare?

#55

Post by rcpt »

electric_mayhem wrote: post #6

Direct Primary Care might be a good place to start: https://www.dpcare.org/ I gave it a try last fall, and the difference is night and day: my current Dr actually works for me, whereas the last one very obviously worked for my insurance company. Rereading your post, this is exactly what you want. He had me do a whole bunch of tests right off the bat and set about optimizing different things. His job is to keep my bod…

I use one to and it's absolutely great.

Re: Ask HN: How can you buy high quality healthcare?

#58

Post by shigawire »

bowsamic wrote: post #51
legitster wrote: post #38

So, other medical systems around the world are cheaper, but that doesn't make them magic. Chronic pain - especially back pain - is often an unsolvable quagmire for most doctors. Not a doctor, but several family members have had to go through something similar. So here is my advice: - Get imaging tests (Xray, MRI). And screen out the any of the worst case scenarios (like tumor or etc). But if there is nothing inherent…

Yeah, a physiotherapy course is the standard treatment for "weird body pain with no visible problem on MRI" here in Germany. I'm surprised to hear if that isn't the case in your country.

It generally is in my personal experience... But people don't like having to do work and want a quick surgical or medical fix.

Re: Ask HN: How can you buy high quality healthcare?

#59

Post by myfavoritedog »

zrail wrote: post #45

If you're willing to read a book, I can recommend Back Mechanic: https://www.amazon.com/Back-Mechanic-Stuart-McGill-2015-09-3... It gives you a lot of information so you can a) intelligently talk about your pain to your providers and b) build up strength and flexibility in your back to hopefully address the issue on your own.

Can second that recommendation. On top of the good advice in the book about your back, the author also has a lot to say about the missteps a lot of doctors will make in treating back problems. Those missteps can serve as red flags in evaluating your medical practitioners.

Re: Ask HN: How can you buy high quality healthcare?

#60

Post by atlasunshrugged »

mbesto wrote: post #28
0daystock wrote: post #2

The term you're looking for is "concierge healthcare". Check r/fatfire for recommendations - the abysmal state of US healthcare is a frequent topic of discussion.

This. Also look at One Medical. It's "concierge light".

Yes, along with Forward Medical which is a similar model but having tried both I think has better service/function
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