Neurosurgery is a 7 year residency, and then you'll probably do a fellowship. That and the hours, even out of residency, are ridiculous. Besides, I quickly realized that countless hours spent over an unconscious patient was "not in my blood." God bless surgeons, but one of them I ain't.

Radiology is a 5 year residency and the "regular hours" are awesome. Besides that, I'm a complete computer nerd and electronics geek, so it fits me pretty well.

But, only time will tell, trust me...I'm keeping a very open mind.

I've just had first-hand experience of this the other week.

I was due to have my annual retinal scan (type 1 diabetic) and I got a letter telling me it had been cancelled but would be re-scheduled. Upon my own investigation, it turns out that they no longer have the funds to provide this crucial service anymore, and they're telling patients to go private! Well, I can afford private luckily, but what about those who can't?

And it annoys me even more when a NICE think-tank has suggested the NHS giving rewards to drug-addicts who stay clean, such as Plasma TVs, mp3 players etc...

I guess I am slightly better off though than others in terms of a Health service. When I was staying in Montreal in 2003, I was told by the owner of a B&B about a friend of hers who had to hold down two jobs just to pay for her insulin, now THAT is unfair.

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Originally posted by DJ Mikey Mike Social outcasts are often of the opinion that they must have a drink before being able to loosen up with their inhibitions, thus being able to have a good time. There's a word that sums up this sort of behaviour, and that word is 'reject.'

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Originally posted by _Ocean_Drive_ I've just had first-hand experience of this the other week. I was due to have my annual retinal scan (type 1 diabetic) and I got a letter telling me it had been cancelled but would be re-scheduled. Upon my own investigation, it turns out that they no longer have the funds to provide this crucial service anymore, and they're telling patients to go private! Well, I can afford private luckily, but what about those who can't? And it annoys me even more when a NICE think-tank has suggested the NHS giving rewards to drug-addicts who stay clean, such as Plasma TVs, mp3 players etc... I guess I am slightly better off though than others in terms of a Health service. When I was staying in Montreal in 2003, I was told by the owner of a B&B about a friend of hers who had to hold down two jobs just to pay for her insulin, now THAT is unfair.

Yeah, I read that too (about drug addicts receiving incentives to stay clean). Quite an interesting approach if you ask me, but it seems to be rewarding people to stay healthy. Doesn't seem very fair (or cost effective) for those who decide to lead normally drug-free lives.

I think the heart of your post, having to go to private medicine as public funds have run out, is the final destination of every public health care system. I know I've posted it before, but we'll basically all have two systems running concurrently; a public and a private sector. Everyone will have "free" access to the public health care, but wait times will be long, practitioners will be overworked and as money runs out, medical procedures will be denied. Then, for those who can afford a premium private insurance, you'll be afforded private hospitals where you are seen quickly by a well-paid and well-qualified staff.

Not even as a physician, but as a human, this idea scares the hell out of me. We will have first and second class medicine, in effect. Those that can afford it will receive vastly superior care than those who rely entirely on the public system. I know people will complain that medicine today is expensive, and due to the reality of the situation, good health care will always be. However, even if you can't afford it, you WILL receive the highest quality of care this country has to offer, no matter what.

I'm not saying there's an easy answer to the mess, but if we're just going to look at "accidental deaths," imagine this; if in our current medical system we have nurses that are responsible for 5-10 (or more) patients at a time, and doctors who are responsible for maybe ten times that, think of what would happen in a public health care environment where each would be responsible for 3 to 4 times that, at reduced salaries. It scares the hell out of me for those who might be forced into that system.