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How dermatology became the 'it' job in medicine

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48 points bookofjoe | 9 comments | 18 Nov 24 12:56 UTC | HN request time: 1.063s | source | bottom
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f6v ◴[18 Nov 24 14:06 UTC] No.42172363[source]▶
Tried getting an appointment in Denmark. “We don’t take any new patients”. A familiar story when trying to reach many specialists in European countries (Germany, Belgium). Except I doubt they’re getting 500k.
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shdh ◴[18 Nov 24 14:08 UTC] No.42172380[source]▶
Guessing you also need a referral to see a specialist in Denmark?

In USA, with PPO insurance, you can see specialists without a referral. Direct specialist appointments without seeing your primary doctor for a referral.

replies(1): >>42172490 #
1. paulddraper ◴[18 Nov 24 14:20 UTC] No.42172490[source]▶
No, it's not a matter of referral.

It's a matter of "current patients have filled the schedule indefinitely."

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2. Cumpiler69 ◴[18 Nov 24 14:25 UTC] No.42172527[source]▶
That's pretty crazy considering Denmark is touted as a socialist utopia where the taxes are high but it's worth it because the government supposedly takes care of everything for you. I'd expect them to have figured out the doctors' shortage but this problem seems endemic in every country.
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3. nextos ◴[18 Nov 24 14:42 UTC] No.42172682[source]▶
In EU, there is a severe shortage of MDs. Part of the problem is that the number of students is not sufficient to satisfy MD demand. In some countries, this is a deliberate policy imposed by MD lobbies, who act like a cartel. In other countries, the job is simply not attractive due to relatively low salaries and high workload. So students choose other degrees, or they immigrate after graduation. Furthermore, an aged population and lack of adequate policy planning does not help.
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4. triceratops ◴[18 Nov 24 18:05 UTC] No.42175065{3}[source]▶
Sounds like it's a problem in most of the developed world.
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5. paulddraper ◴[18 Nov 24 19:58 UTC] No.42176254[source]▶
A. This is exactly what is to be expected.

If high-skill jobs are compensated (relatively) less, workers are less incentivized to pursue those jobs, or they move to other markets.

B. Capitalist countries like the U.S. are not completely immune to his phenomenon either.

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6. shdh ◴[18 Nov 24 20:28 UTC] No.42176582{3}[source]▶
Are doctors in USA emigrating to other countries? Or do you mean across state lines?
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7. paulddraper ◴[19 Nov 24 03:55 UTC] No.42179976{4}[source]▶
Sorry, I mean that USA has doctor (particularly specialists) shortages as well.
8. getwiththeprog ◴[19 Nov 24 08:54 UTC] No.42181292{4}[source]▶
It sounds like it, but no evidence has been provided.
9. qgin ◴[19 Nov 24 12:32 UTC] No.42182724{3}[source]▶
This is the thing, even in the US with salaries 2/3/4x those in Europe, people in much of the country can get appointments for the better part of a year.