I’m a pharmacist. The number of doctors (family docs) UNAVAILABLE to their patients during the pandemic for was absolutely pathetic. Some family docs still won’t see people in person. How often say, are their patients BPs being monitored if it isn’t being done in office etc etc? Just absolutely pathetic to see some could have made this wage while I got absolutely nothing, had to deal with their unavailability by taking over prescribing for their patients, checking their blood pressure, providing dose adjustments, refills etc, which the govt pays us $12 for. Pathetic.
Thanks for the interesting comment. I would love to hear more about the pandemic through the eyes of a pharmacist. I know many family docs were doing phone appointments for things that needed to be seen in person (like, for instance, a boil) and would give a prescription by phone (like, for an antibiotic that won't help the abscess because it needs lancing). They did this because they were afraid to have the person in their office. They would tell the patient to go to the pharmacy and pick up the prescription. There is something ironic there, that they did not think it was reasonable for them to be exposed to the patient, but thought it was OK for pharmacy staff to be exposed.
Yes absolutely, and don’t use phone or video to assist them in areas like that. Or they would re prescribe their BP meds and tell them to come to pharmacy to have BP monitored. Turns out it’s sky high after multiple readings so we then have to act as a liaison between doc and patient because the patient won’t pay $14 (MSI doesn’t pay for dose adjustments) for me to increase the dose of their med. And all of this while I get paid hourly regardless of the extra services I provide. Or they will get their patients to call the pharmacy to send a refill request (I hate those god damn refill request forms) because they aren’t keeping accurate records because they are working from home. Or or or or. List goes on. Don’t want to use my real name bc I’m pretty vocal in the pharmacy world and don’t want anymore added stress in my life, but happy to chat here if you have any more questions.
Not to mention if someone wasn’t able to get in touch with their doctor, that problem very quickly became the pharmacy’s problem. We couldn’t in good conscience let someone go without meds, when they are actively trying to get in touch with their prescriber who is MIA. So I assess, check their bloodwork (if they have any lately), re-prescribe their meds, they go on living, I don’t get paid anything extra (corporate takes our clinical revenue) and don’t get a thank you from the patient and get a pissed off fax back from the doctor (tell patient to make appt) when I inform them what I’ve done!
Disappointing to hear all that. I hope it's the minority of docs. Many of us (docs and otherwise) were "scared stupid" during the pandemic and forgot that people have medical needs other than COVID.
Thank you for your honest and frank articles. Very grounded, truthful and courageous. With deep appreciation, the truth will set us free and open eyes better than anything else.
Amazing how the mainstream media gave massive coverage to the 270 "medical professionals" who demanded that Spotify remove Joe Rogan, but not a peep about this or, for that matter, the Great Barrington Declaration, which has over 50,000 doctor signatures, including mine and Chris's. Pants very definitely on fire. ---Julie
I’m a pharmacist. The number of doctors (family docs) UNAVAILABLE to their patients during the pandemic for was absolutely pathetic. Some family docs still won’t see people in person. How often say, are their patients BPs being monitored if it isn’t being done in office etc etc? Just absolutely pathetic to see some could have made this wage while I got absolutely nothing, had to deal with their unavailability by taking over prescribing for their patients, checking their blood pressure, providing dose adjustments, refills etc, which the govt pays us $12 for. Pathetic.
Thanks for the interesting comment. I would love to hear more about the pandemic through the eyes of a pharmacist. I know many family docs were doing phone appointments for things that needed to be seen in person (like, for instance, a boil) and would give a prescription by phone (like, for an antibiotic that won't help the abscess because it needs lancing). They did this because they were afraid to have the person in their office. They would tell the patient to go to the pharmacy and pick up the prescription. There is something ironic there, that they did not think it was reasonable for them to be exposed to the patient, but thought it was OK for pharmacy staff to be exposed.
Yes absolutely, and don’t use phone or video to assist them in areas like that. Or they would re prescribe their BP meds and tell them to come to pharmacy to have BP monitored. Turns out it’s sky high after multiple readings so we then have to act as a liaison between doc and patient because the patient won’t pay $14 (MSI doesn’t pay for dose adjustments) for me to increase the dose of their med. And all of this while I get paid hourly regardless of the extra services I provide. Or they will get their patients to call the pharmacy to send a refill request (I hate those god damn refill request forms) because they aren’t keeping accurate records because they are working from home. Or or or or. List goes on. Don’t want to use my real name bc I’m pretty vocal in the pharmacy world and don’t want anymore added stress in my life, but happy to chat here if you have any more questions.
Not to mention if someone wasn’t able to get in touch with their doctor, that problem very quickly became the pharmacy’s problem. We couldn’t in good conscience let someone go without meds, when they are actively trying to get in touch with their prescriber who is MIA. So I assess, check their bloodwork (if they have any lately), re-prescribe their meds, they go on living, I don’t get paid anything extra (corporate takes our clinical revenue) and don’t get a thank you from the patient and get a pissed off fax back from the doctor (tell patient to make appt) when I inform them what I’ve done!
Disappointing to hear all that. I hope it's the minority of docs. Many of us (docs and otherwise) were "scared stupid" during the pandemic and forgot that people have medical needs other than COVID.
Thank you for your honest and frank articles. Very grounded, truthful and courageous. With deep appreciation, the truth will set us free and open eyes better than anything else.
Just in case you haven't seen that: https://www.trillions.biz/news/172602-17-000-Doctors-and-Medical-Scientists-Demand-COVID-Sanity.html
Amazing how the mainstream media gave massive coverage to the 270 "medical professionals" who demanded that Spotify remove Joe Rogan, but not a peep about this or, for that matter, the Great Barrington Declaration, which has over 50,000 doctor signatures, including mine and Chris's. Pants very definitely on fire. ---Julie
I look forward to your articles. So happy to read what seems to me to be common sense and truthful. Why are we still living like this?
Thank you, once again, for insights into the Nova Scotia situation. I've incorporated your excellent information into my latest article.
Way to face the fact dragon, while others cower.
Eye opening!! Another great read!
Well said