87 year old Illinois doctor charges just $5 a visit

#1

Post by sheckel » Mon, Aug 20, 2012, 4:21 PM UTC

87 year old Illinois doctor charges just $5 a visit
bbc.co.uk

Re: 87 year old Illinois doctor charges just $5 a visit

#2

Post by virjog » Mon, Aug 20, 2012, 5:01 PM UTC

So, it took BBC 30 years to make a news story on this guy just because it was relevant to today's issues?

Re: 87 year old Illinois doctor charges just $5 a visit

#3

Post by JosephRedfern » Mon, Aug 20, 2012, 5:58 PM UTC

virjog wrote: post #2

So, it took BBC 30 years to make a news story on this guy just because it was relevant to today's issues?

What a silly comment. It's impossible to report on everything that has ever happened/is happening. People watch and read news that is relevant to them, so it's natural for the BBC to report on things as they become more and more relevant.

Re: 87 year old Illinois doctor charges just $5 a visit

#4

Post by khet » Mon, Aug 20, 2012, 6:05 PM UTC

What I love about this is not the price tag. Yes 5$ is insanely cheap but its the clarity in pricing which is brilliant.

I would imagine a lot of people are afraid to get a checkup or even inquire about the cost because it might be too expensive. Rational or irrational, this fear can creep up on your health.

This doctor made it simple to get a checkup done. I hope more medical establishments follow in his footsteps.

Re: 87 year old Illinois doctor charges just $5 a visit

#5

Post by rootedbox » Mon, Aug 20, 2012, 9:06 PM UTC

While 5 bucks is nice.. You need a culture check to see if a patient needs antibiotics(most sore throats are viral). I'm guessing, because it is only a 5 dollar visit he doesn't do that test.

This causes 2 issues. 1. The patient receives drugs for which will do him nothing. 2. Allows for antibiotic resistance to be breed into microorganisms.

Re: 87 year old Illinois doctor charges just $5 a visit

#6

Post by joshniederer » Mon, Aug 20, 2012, 9:12 PM UTC

I got a couple of school physicals from this doctor in the past. He's a great guy. As you'd expect, the office was extremely busy both times I went there. His practice is providing a meaningful service to everyone who wishes to take advantage of it.

The way he chooses to help people long after he was eligible to retire is something truly commendable.

Re: 87 year old Illinois doctor charges just $5 a visit

#7

Post by kenmazy » Mon, Aug 20, 2012, 11:24 PM UTC

rootedbox wrote: post #5

While 5 bucks is nice.. You need a culture check to see if a patient needs antibiotics(most sore throats are viral). I'm guessing, because it is only a 5 dollar visit he doesn't do that test. This causes 2 issues. 1. The patient receives drugs for which will do him nothing. 2. Allows for antibiotic resistance to be breed into microorganisms.

Nowhere in the video was it every implied that the doctor handed out antibiotics like candy. I wouldn't be surprised if this doctor actually wrote less antibiotic prescriptions than his younger peers.