General Medical issues thread

[RooFlyer]

He is using an A1 tool that records the conversation and provides a real time summary in medical lingo of my ramblings.
I am puzzled as to how this is legal or ethical..but I sure lots of high powered lawyers have approved the process.

About two months ago my GP said that he was using something like you described and asked was I okay with it. If not he would turn it off. At the end he showed me what the screen said. I don’t think it’s AI. It’s just a summary of what’s been said made by the machine

He also said that the summary is not kept but he makes his consultation notes from it, then deletes it.

i’m fine with all of that - better than him just relying on his memory of all the back-and-forth between us during the consultation. But you must be told that it’s being used.

 

[Brissy1]

Fair point though some Review articles says differently

That's great that some research has been done. Unfortunately it seems that the environment is left up to the individual, and as that paper concludes, it is sometimes -ve.

Having worked in high stress environment requiring problem solving (1 problem is easy, simultaneous multiple issues with interacting affects is when it gets interesting which I presume an op theatre can get), I cannot imagine how any non-relevant stimulus could help.

And "stress", it can be a good thing! Keeps the mind sharp (granted, not for the patient!)

I wonder what pilots think of having captain's choice of music in the coughpit playing while landing Top Gun theme or de-stress music.

 

[prozac]

Yes, I agree, but imo, there can't be too much testing for prostate, it's a fairly simple test isn't it?

When I think back to my younger days using compressed air to clean brakes on cars, asbestos used then, working for the local parks and gardens here in Canberra, spraying 245T and using Chlordane and other nasty carcinogenics without giving a great deal of thought about my health and definitely no concern for my longevity, who want's to be old!
Then I'd bring my work clothes covered in poisons and insecticides home for mum to put them through the washing machine, the things we did.

Then using leaded petrol to clean bitumen based mastic sealant of my skin for about 7 years, plus breathing in the fumes as sometimes it was also an enclosed space, guess I'm really lucky to seemingly not have the C gene, expect for a few BCC's, I blame my mother for those, she was a red head and smoked when she was pregnant with us kids.....

Now I think I will go and have a few bevies in memory of all those friends that have gone far too early, I forgot to mention, my friend Jules was only 62.....

Annual PSA is sufficient imo. Mine is currently 1.2 and doc suggesting maybe next year we won't include it in my annual bloods. Pigs 4rse you won't!

My occupational exposure throughout my professional career had me certain it was cause of my chest cancer, I've been waiting for this like, forever. After the weekend passed and the specialists came back to work they told me it was not the cause. Then I thought about the repeated skin exposure to carbon tetra-chloride, a known carcinogen. Nope, not that either. Then I think about what MrsProzac reckons ... if you live long enough you will get cancer. Statistically they say one in 4 of us will get cancer.

My cousin died from prostate cancer in 2015. In the end he had himself euthanised such was the pain throughout his body. It had spread everywhere. In around 2010 I suggested he and my other cousins think about testing. They all scoffed at me. It was sad to see this huge 6'7" man reduced to a walking skeleton. Testing these days is so easy compared to years ago and you can combine a physical check when you have your colonoscopy when you are asleep.

Get checked down there, front and back. Simply too much trouble when you don't.

EDIT: Was talking with an old friend last week. His 40yo daughter had bowel cancer which was successfully treated. However she has satellites in her lungs and this will likely kill her unless a US study can eliminate these. Some things just aren't fair.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Annual PSA is sufficient imo. Mine is currently 1.2 and doc suggesting maybe next year we won't include it in my annual bloods. Pigs 4rse you won't!

My occupational exposure throughout my professional career had me certain it was cause of my chest cancer, I've been waiting for this like, forever. After the weekend passed and the specialists came back to work they told me it was not the cause. Then I thought about the repeated skin exposure to carbon tetra-chloride, a known carcinogen. Nope, not that either. Then I think about what MrsProzac reckons ... if you live long enough you will get cancer. Statistically they say one in 4 of us will get cancer.

My cousin died from prostate cancer in 2015. In the end he had himself euthanised such was the pain throughout his body. It had spread everywhere. In around 2010 I suggested he and my other cousins think about testing. They all scoffed at me. It was sad to see this huge 6'7" man reduced to a walking skeleton. Testing these days is so easy compared to years ago and you can combine a physical check when you have your colonoscopy when you are asleep.

Get checked down there, front and back. Simply too much trouble when you don't.

EDIT: Was talking with an old friend last week. His 40yo daughter had bowel cancer which was successfully treated. However she has satellites in her lungs and this will likely kill her unless a US study can eliminate these. Some things just aren't fare.

PSA is not that diagnostic in fact. And in doubt, get a prostate MRI before they get enthusiastic about biopsy. And genomic testing if results are concerning is not a bad idea to find out if you have an aggressive mutation in the dna. Many, dare I say most, these days are well diagnosed and treated by watchful waiting, followed by prostectomy via robot or focal procedures such as radiotherapy beads, NanoKnife etc. There are very good resources available if you are concerned such as Dr. Geoff Coughlin - Australia's most experienced robotic surgeon and Background - Dr Phillip Stricker

A number of us in AFF have been through procedures so ask via pm if you have concerns.

 

[prozac]

A number of us in AFF have been through procedures so ask via pm if you have concerns.

Not concerned at all. I might be falling apart but my PSA is wonderful. Advocate for annual PSA testing and periodic physical check

 

[Pushka]

On PSA testing. MrP repeats the annual test. The one before last had risen slightly so a 6 month check done and it was down again. He was telling his friend about doing the test and friend was surprised he was having them, however he thought that he should too. Of course, we know where this is going. High PSA test. Lots of tests later, don't know the details and he is 9 months post surgery. His friend is very grateful.

 

[Brissy1]

There are very good resources available if you are concerned such as Dr. Geoff Coughlin - Australia's most experienced robotic surgeon and

Coughlin "did" me robotically over 10 years ago... I'm still here!

 

[TheRealTMA]

Coughlin "did" me robotically over 10 years ago... I'm still here!

Sometimes can be just lucky I guess.

He is a very good specialist, and his suits rival Paul Keating.

A good bloke who’s very competent no BS with good bedside manner.

Recommend.

 

[Quickstatus]

I cannot imagine how any non-relevant stimulus could help.

One fellow now retired was the complete opposite. Even turning or rustling the page on a paper file or opening a drawer drew an andmonition to be quiet. Everyone was on edge to not make any noise. The phone is disconnected. It was more stressful than Bob Dylan through a speaker.

The inevitable outcome was that he was usually the only one making any noise and being a distraction to himself - whenever he complains.

 

[Cossie]

Ophthalmologist said this result isn't uncommon in people that have had Lasik in the past, which I did 30 years ago. So, new insertion of a Sulcus lens, not guaranteed to fix it, but hopefully it does as to be honest I would rather wear reading glasses than long distance ones.
Fingers crossed....
Forgot to mention, he will only charge the Medicare fee, Medibank cover the hospital, so I will probably only have to cover the gap for the Anesthetist.

 

[Pushka]

Ophthalmologist said this result isn't uncommon in people that have had Lasik in the past, which I did 30 years ago. So, new insertion of a Sulcus lens, not guaranteed to fix it, but hopefully it does as to be honest I would rather wear reading glasses than long distance ones.
Fingers crossed....
Forgot to mention, he will only charge the Medicare fee, Medibank cover the hospital, so I will probably only have to cover the gap for the Anesthetist.

You'd think there'd be consistency as to how people are charged. Had no gaps for mine.

 

[RooFlyer]

You'd think there'd be consistency as to how people are charged. Had no gaps for mine.

It would depend on what the individual charges, wouldn't it? If they charge a motza, in excess of Medicare/Medibank coverage, then you'll have to pay balance.

 

[Quickstatus]

You'd think there'd be consistency as to how people are charged

Like petrol prices or the price of bananas?

The most consistent price is zero at the public hospitals which are by and large excellent in Australia

 

[tgh]

by and large..

All a matter of perspective but I respectfully choose to differ...

 

[Quickstatus]

but I respectfully choose to differ

Yes, never can be 100%. But the other point is the price at all Public hospitals are the same irrespective of any differences/

 

[Pushka]

by and large..

All a matter of perspective but I respectfully choose to differ...

Elective surgery has been stopped in SA in Public Hopsitals for a few months now. Waiting lists for such surgery would be years.

 

[Quickstatus]

Elective surgery has been stopped in SA in Public Hopsitals for a few months now

When is the next state election?

 

[Cossie]

Guess it depends on the doctor, when the boss had her left knee redone, the surgeon didn't charge a gap, however the anesthetist said we don't do that and did charge the gap.
As an aside, a couple of friends visited from Brisbane a few weeks, he has now retired but was an anesthetist, and he said it was normal for him not to charge a gap, if the surgeon wasn't.

 

[Quickstatus]

he said it was normal for him not to charge a gap, if the surgeon wasn't.

That is common practice.

 

[Pushka]

When is the next state election?

2026. But worse, ramping, the platform on which they came to power, is at its worst ever. The new Royal Adelaide Hospital never had enough beds, coupled with a floor (or the size of one of the suburban hospitals) being occupied by aged care who aren't sick enough to be in hospital but waiting on an aged care placement. The number of ambulance crew has increased substantially, but trouble is, they haven't fixed the bed shortage issue. Recently one was ramped for 13 hours. That means, patient and crew were stuck in the Ambulance for that long.

Other than that, we quite like the current government as they are quite switched on about most things that bother us.