as part of a research paper on universal health care i need some information from various countries as well as from within the united states. i thought i would focus on the ability to attain specalized care in the field of pain management and figured that the best place to get honest answers is from patients themselves. if you have the time could you please answer the following questions
1)where do you reside
2)how long did it take for you to see a physician who could and was willing to provide adequate long term care
3)how long does it take for approval for procedures (mri, catscan, bone scan, blocks)
4)if for some reason you have to go to the emergency room for care how long does it take to go through the visit process (be taken to a bed, seen by a physician, recieve care, and head home)
5)are there a lot of options to chose from when deciding on a pain specialist
6)did you find it challenging to become a patient of a physician who was willing to provide opiods
7)have you ever traveled to a different country for care, and if so why

thanks in advance
there is a great deal of argument and confusion about the success of universal (social) healthcare in other countries and this uncertainty has a tendency to allow the government to justify the reasoning that it wont work in this country. i live in a fairly small county and a current proposal is to attempt on some level universal care.

I will try and help you the best I can. I have lived in 2 states since this RSD, so I will include both in my answers.

1) North East PA currently
2) It took 6 years to diagnose, I saw over 10 doctors in New Jersey and 8 in PA, after diagnosis I finally found one doctor who reluctantly treats me. No-one is happily treating me and I must constantly research and basically treat myself.
3) Approvals for tests only take 2-3 days that is the quickest thing
4) Emergency rooms are the worst - hours and hours are wasted the last time I was there for 4 hours in the waiting room, 9 hours on a bed and released to a specialist after 2 more hours. YIKES. most ER care in PA took 5-10 hours and in NJ it was quicker 2-5 hours. My husband won't go the the ER even though he works in a hospital.
5) There are very few pain "specialists" in this area and 90% treat only with blocks. I went through them all and my doctor is a rehabilitation expert.
6) It was very challenging, it took over a year and 4 specialists before they believed I truly has RSD and was not drug seeking. I was willing to undergo blood test to prove I was "clean" but it took forever and I am constantly having to prove myself and beg for treatment.
7) I traveled to Morroco and ended up having to see a doctor for an illness. The doctor was amazing, well versed in medicine, very up to date and extremely willing to help. He told me he took courses 4 times a year in France and 2 times in the USA. His whole staff was attentive and willing to help an American who was extremely ill.

good luck with your paper.

1) BC Canada
2) right away for the family doc but 20 months for a chronic pain specialist by fluke.
3) Aproval about a week through WCB, instantly through MSP if I understand the question right
4) 1-4 hours depending on what was wrong with me, buisy days it may be longer (I live in a reletivly small area whose hospital services 3 close towns)
5) Absolutly not.
6) I am not on opiates, I am on pills for the symptoms and I self medicate
7) nope not yeat.

1. Colorado

2. Diagnosed within 6 months after TOS surgery. Family Dr. took care of me while I was trying to find PM Drs. I saw 4 PM Drs. 2 Neurologist, and a Rheumotologist and not one of them were worth a wasting my time on. My PCP just told me he'd do my medical care for the RSD. He felt none of them were any good either.

3. test done with in days. blood test done within a day after ordering unless, something has to be sent off.

4. Emergency room is a joke. In August, I was in there for over 5 hours. Didn't see a Dr. and was freezing so I walked out with their gown on.

5. We have no PM Drs. in the area. Have to go to surrounding towns.

6. My PCP gives me any meds I need including narcotics.

7. No, don't need to.

Ada

Good luck with your research wakegirl.


1/-Northern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria in Australia.

2/-18 months

3/-Same day, no problems since liability accepted by WC.

4/-Depending on how frantic the ER is but usually they are on the phone to my specialist immediately. I have my history at the hospital where I attend the ER if I need to.

5/-Most Pain management teams carry out similar treatments here in Australia so the deciding factor is location and personality.

6/-No problems

7/-No.

Take care
Tayla