It is the short story of Dr.Popescu (fake name) Hereinafter Dr.P.
Dr.P works in a public hospital. Sadly, Dr.P is under paid by the state, and to earn the difference he would bare the shame and accept envelopes with some “gratitude” from his patients.
One day, Dr. P hears of an opportunity at one of the private medical providers. One of those who sells ABONAMENTE to the public. The offer is to transfer part of his activities and time and work at the clinic of the private provider.
Dr. P is also unofficially required to 'bring' some of his patients with him. He agrees and it becomes a part of the deal.
That new arrangement will now improve his income. The private provider has a doctor to cover the demand of the patients and everyone is happy... only there is one more thing... there is also a patient involved... you and I... us.
Dr. P offers to the patients he sees at the hospital 'additional care' at the private clinic. The offer is served by some promises of a better environment and equipment. Dr.P has taken the liberty to mobilize his patient to another medical institution.
However, this is not where it stops.
At the clinic, there will be patients who are now newly known to Dr. P. They are the patients of the medical providers. All of the sudden, they will be 'sent' to the Hospital.
"Come over to see me at my department in the hospital where I have better equipment and some of the countries famous specialists. Prices there are much cheaper as it is a state institution".
Innocent is it? actually, why not?
Then.... NOT.
No because of the mistake is the issue of the "ownership'' over the patients. Patients are mobilised for non valid reasons and often the economic gain of the stations involved become the reasons of this mobility.
In my years of work in the realm of medical- care I have learnt of the hardships of the medical personnel. Indeed they are underpaid, and underpayment is very often a source of evil and corruption.
When Dr. P decides to leave that very private medical institution many of his patients will leave together with him. They will not be loyal to the BRAND, but to the Doctor. At that point, we whiteness the breakage of the trust between the trio... the medical institution lost the Doctor with some of his patients. The provider lost the patients the doctor brought, and also some of their own who developed loyalty to Dr.P. The patients will have to be mobilized again, and the state hospital will have to accept, or dismiss patients for reasons that are all but medical.
All in all, loyalty is missing. Patients are moving between medical providers, and doctors are in a conflict between their loyalties to their double employment.
Some countries do not allow doctors who work in the state institutions to work in a private one at the same time. The doctor must choose. I am not sure this is the right answer, but for sure it is another sign, one of many. Life without without private health insurance. The private medical insurance policy would pay the full amount for the patient. The private institution
would be able to be an attractive place to work for, and the mobility of patients reduces. One day we shall all reach this conclusion.
It is still a long way. I cannot say it is imminent. But as the Chinese say - "even the longest way starts with one step"
http://www1.agerpres.ro/opinia-specialistilor/2013/11/26/scurta-povestire-a-doctorului-p.
