Alert: Be careful using foreign doctors

[faroukfarouk]

I am a little disturbed at the implication that somehow it's a doctor's 'foreignness' that may lie at the heart of any regulatory and inspection issues. As far as I know, all the US states practise similar regulatory oversight and inspections of all doctors, period; there is no sense in which different standards apply according to nationality, race, etc.

Up here in Canada, there is supposed to be a balance between regulatory oversight of medical practitioners and a social and market openness to professionals from wherever they may come, if they are duly qualified to do their work within the parameters of oversight.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

As far as I know, all the US states practise similar regulatory oversight and inspections of all doctors, period; there is no sense in which different standards apply according to nationality, race, etc.

The very obvious limit here is "as far as I know".

Even in the military, in the USA, decades ago anyway, "cures" were talked about and used freely (legally, apparently) in military (Navy anyway) hospitals on military bases,
that were not and still are not permitted in civilian hospitals or medical facilities or clinics or by civilian doctors.

Money seems to be the deciding factor, instead of what is right and wrong, and instead of what works or not, and instead of the once well known rule "FIRST OF ALL DO NO HARM" (no longer taught nor enforced anywhere that I'm aware of officially)

 

[Go Braves]

I have a feeling some folks would complain less about a Dr. from Norway than one from Pakistan even if both went to the same school, had similar histories.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I have a feeling some folks would complain less about a Dr. from Norway than one from Pakistan even if both went to the same school, had similar histories.

Why is it, also, that in some parts of North America professional regulation is pursued with a rigor unparalleled among those who, while if the same people went to work in other states/provinces the market is relatively straightforward for someone with the skills? I leave the question open...

 

[Tanj]

Apparently there is inadequate oversight.

Pepper: As many as 10,000 have fake medical degrees

Just to point out this is not about foreign doctors, it's about Americans buying fake degrees. The rest of your posts contains numerous factual inaccuracies.

For example, you linked to this:

Foreign medical graduates are not the primary care solution

And then spent several paragraphs complaining about foreign doctors having immediate right to work in the US. However, from the source your article used (Path to United States Practice Is Long Slog to Foreign Doctors)

Thousands of foreign-trained immigrant physicians are living in the United States with lifesaving skills that are going unused because they stumbled over one of the many hurdles in the path toward becoming a licensed doctor here.

The involved testing process and often duplicative training these doctors must go through are intended to make sure they meet this country’s high quality standards, which American medical industry groups say are unmatched elsewhere in the world.

 

[Willie T]

I disagree, I have been to many doctors because of a condition I have, and I have found the "foreign doctors" to be, by and large, better educated. Many have to pass their countries tests and education and then repeat it here in order to be certified. Often they have a different point of view of "American trained doctors" that is helpful when diagnosing and offering potential treatments. America has great doctors, but other countries have doctors that are just as good or better.

Also, I do not see why this is in the "news and Current Events" forum, it seems better suited to the "Kitchen Sink" or "Physical Health" as it is really not news or a current event....

I agree 100%.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Regardless of country, a 'foreign' doctor can far excel over and beyond USA trained doctors, just as a 'foreign' doctor can also be incompetant - and same with USA trained doctors.

Just to point out this is not about foreign doctors, it's about Americans buying fake degrees.

Besides that also, sometimes the ones who are most able to help people do not advertise at all - they don't have to. They often have to practice 'quietly', so others don't get embarrassed, envious, jealous, and make trouble for them (yes, even extreme trouble, just because they can do so much good even in cases the other 'regular' doctors fail at).

 

[Shiloh Raven]

I have a feeling some folks would complain less about a Dr. from Norway than one from Pakistan even if both went to the same school, had similar histories.

I'm beginning to think you're right since one particular article has been repeatedly posted and the article was demonstrated (in this post here) to have been published in 1984, 34 years ago.

 

[JackRT]

Foreign Doctors? My present doctor is from Mongolia --- extremely knowledgeable, competent, efficient and personable. My previous doctor was from the USA --- he was a complete @$$hole. I refuse to make blanket judgments.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I check doctors out before going to them but there is no way to adequately check on someones history from another country

There are ways, not too difficult. Check out the success of popular clinics in Mexico for the last 65 years for instance. (or just the last 5 to 10 years).
Fakes? yes, some fakes. Just like in the USA.

The doctor I saw that prescribed me the wrong medication had a clean office. It's just something everyone should be aware of. One medical mistake can ruin your life.

Medical mistakes account for so many deaths in the usa, it is in the top 3 causes of death. And that is just 'properly prescribed' drugs or properly done procedures in line with AMA and Pharmacy regulations and protocols.

I've heard of American born doctors prescribing wrong meds as well, and misdiagnosing, and damaging patients.

See above - prescribing wrong meds (that is actual mistakes) is far less of a problem than prescribing 'right' meds is , in terms of deaths caused (and probably serious seizures and disabilities caused also).

I still hold a deep concern over possible substandard overseas training.

Why ? What's the real beef ? OR what happened to stir this in you ?
And why not such concern over USA mal-practice that is wide spread too ?

That article is from 1984....I would like to see some more current statistics on this problem. That said, of course there are people that are pretending to be doctors, that is why we need to make sure ours is accredited and approved, which is pretty easy.

See the most recent AMA and FDA "causes of death" the last few years - hospital caused/ medical caused deaths, death by properly prescribed medicine, has been rising every year - it might be the biggest cause of death this year, NOT even counting the actual mistakes and opiate related deaths which together increases the numbers considerably.

What is odd about this case is that the Dr. was using a fake name, but actually did have the qualifications, apparently. So I guess that is of some comfort...
"“However, it remains a fact that Dr. Akoda was a trained, licensed, and qualified obstetrician and gynecologist during the entire period he had privileges to practice at our facility.”"
He delivered their babies and examined their bodies. Now patients are suing after learning he used a fake name and stolen Social Security numbers for credentials.

Yes, true talent in resident doctors and foreign doctors is often not wanted - especially if they are honest ! ! (fake name ? maybe so they COULD practice ? and do good ... because just being so talented and good at their job may not be
enough to practice honestly and openly in the USA )

 

[He is Risen 72]

What can you honestly expect when a former foreign born president forces a foreign “health care” plan on the American people?

 

[JackRT]

What can you honestly expect when a former foreign born president forces a foreign “health care” plan on the American people?

Who besides George Washington was not native born? I also don't recall that Washington had a foreign health care plan.

 

[tampasteve]

Who besides George Washington was not native born? I also don't recall that Washington had a foreign health care plan.

quite a few, being born before 1776:

• George Washington.
• John Adams.
• Thomas Jefferson.
• James Madison.
• James Monroe.
• John Quincy Adams.
• Andrew Jackson.
• William Henry Harrison.

Not sure of healthcare in the 1700s, but I do not think it was the best; what with the wood teeth and all

 

[He is Risen 72]

quite a few, being born before 1776:

• George Washington.
• John Adams.
• Thomas Jefferson.
• James Madison.
• James Monroe.
• John Quincy Adams.
• Andrew Jackson.
• William Henry Harrison.

Not sure of healthcare in the 1700s, but I do not think it was the best; what with the wood teeth and all

Fake history used to slander a great American president. Why am I not surprised…


Wooden Teeth Myth

The Trouble with Teeth

https://allthingsliberty.com/2014/11/drilling-holes-in-george-washingtons-wooden-teeth-myth/

George Washington Didn’t Have Wooden Teeth—They Were Ivory | Smart News | Smithsonian

 

[tampasteve]

Fake history used to slander a great American president. Why am I not surprised…


Wooden Teeth Myth

The Trouble with Teeth

https://allthingsliberty.com/2014/11/drilling-holes-in-george-washingtons-wooden-teeth-myth/

George Washington Didn’t Have Wooden Teeth—They Were Ivory | Smart News | Smithsonian

It was a joke, hence the "smiley" at the end. I am quite aware that President Washington did not have wood teeth.

 

[DawnStar]

What can you honestly expect when a former foreign born president forces a foreign “health care” plan on the American people?

So there were no foreign born doctors in American before Obamacare? That is good to know. Thank you.

 

[jayem]

As a physician myself (American born and trained. If that matters.) I have another suggestion about choosing a provider. If there is a teaching hospital, or medical school in your area, try to find an affiliated provider. Appointment to such a position means his/her qualifications and performance have passed another layer of review.

There is also the Physician Compare database. It's a CMS/Medicare project which rates hospitals and clinicians on various quality and efficiency measures with a 1-4 star scale that is made public. It just got going late last year. The goal is for Medicare enrollees to make better informed decisions regarding their health care. But non-Medicare patients can obviously use it too. BTW, this was enacted as part of ACA. It could be extremely beneficial, and hopefully won't be trashed if ACA is ever repealed. More info at the link.

2017-12-14 - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

 

[pgp_protector]

If we're to avoid "foreign doctors" and given that "American" Doctors are foreign to most of the world, it seems that they should be avoided by most people then?