Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Medicine
Got a question for all of you.
Is there a problem in the states with the safety of health care workers? By that, I mean do many doctors and nurses go to work fearful of being hit, beaten, or injured by patients in the States?
The reason I ask is that it is a major problem here in the UK. There are signs up in doctors offices saying "we don't have to take this" and constant stories of this or that doctor or nurse going into the hospital themselves after being injured by a patient. Now, I never really heard anything about this in the States and it surprised me when I came over here. Sadly, though, if this is not a trend in the States, there is one conclusion that comes to mind.
The difference in the States medicine and the UK is that everyone is able to get medical care and see a doctor regardless of money in the UK where as in the States only those who can afford it can. Now what this says to me is that the only difference in the two equations is the inclusion of the poor, ethnic minorities, etc. that are denied healthcare in the States that are the impetus for the violence carried out on medical workers. This seems very odd and horrible to me, but if anyone else has an idea, I would love to hear it. This was a problem with NAtional Healthcare that I hadn't thought of.
Thoughts?
Is there a problem in the states with the safety of health care workers? By that, I mean do many doctors and nurses go to work fearful of being hit, beaten, or injured by patients in the States?
The reason I ask is that it is a major problem here in the UK. There are signs up in doctors offices saying "we don't have to take this" and constant stories of this or that doctor or nurse going into the hospital themselves after being injured by a patient. Now, I never really heard anything about this in the States and it surprised me when I came over here. Sadly, though, if this is not a trend in the States, there is one conclusion that comes to mind.
The difference in the States medicine and the UK is that everyone is able to get medical care and see a doctor regardless of money in the UK where as in the States only those who can afford it can. Now what this says to me is that the only difference in the two equations is the inclusion of the poor, ethnic minorities, etc. that are denied healthcare in the States that are the impetus for the violence carried out on medical workers. This seems very odd and horrible to me, but if anyone else has an idea, I would love to hear it. This was a problem with NAtional Healthcare that I hadn't thought of.
Thoughts?
# posted by Christopher @ 10:27 PM 
Comments:
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That's probably the right idea. The gun crime is HUGE over here as opposed the the utopia that is the States...I'm just glad that in the States we have such a low crime rate...
well i'm NO expert by any means, but you asked, so here goes.
i think you're completely right on. i'm seeing the divide (strange as it is) while working in the public school system.
i teach at a school that is about 75% african american/various sundry minorities--but mostly african american (we have a very low hispanic population, at least immigrant-wise--we don't have an ESL program). we are located in a pretty rough area of town (we're just on this side of the raleigh city limits--the other side is durham. durham is scary.) my good friend heather works at a public school in a very well off area of town--predominately white with very few minorities. whereas my school is about 75% african american, i'd say heather's is about 75% rich little white kids. again, no ESL program.
the behavior of the students at my school is atrocious. cussing at teachers, being physically violent--i have a class where at least 1/2 of the kids are active in some gang (the bloods, i think.) a good number of our students are on free/reduced lunch programs. i have kids that are truant more times than not because they have to take care of their younger siblings/kids/parents/cousins/insert-your-own familial relation here. heather has kids who can't stay for after school academic assistance because they have a SERIOUS date at the mall with a pair of shoes.
it may sound like i'm exaggerating or sterotyping, but i'm NOT. at all. heather's kids are content to wait for what they want because they know they're entitled--either that or just buy it. my kids just take it, and pardon me--but f*ck whoever stands in their way.
so, to make a long analogy short--i think you're right on. and i hate it. but you could very well have be onto a theory that sucks, but speaks very much to the way our society (societies) is (are) today.
take it for what you will.
i think you're completely right on. i'm seeing the divide (strange as it is) while working in the public school system.
i teach at a school that is about 75% african american/various sundry minorities--but mostly african american (we have a very low hispanic population, at least immigrant-wise--we don't have an ESL program). we are located in a pretty rough area of town (we're just on this side of the raleigh city limits--the other side is durham. durham is scary.) my good friend heather works at a public school in a very well off area of town--predominately white with very few minorities. whereas my school is about 75% african american, i'd say heather's is about 75% rich little white kids. again, no ESL program.
the behavior of the students at my school is atrocious. cussing at teachers, being physically violent--i have a class where at least 1/2 of the kids are active in some gang (the bloods, i think.) a good number of our students are on free/reduced lunch programs. i have kids that are truant more times than not because they have to take care of their younger siblings/kids/parents/cousins/insert-your-own familial relation here. heather has kids who can't stay for after school academic assistance because they have a SERIOUS date at the mall with a pair of shoes.
it may sound like i'm exaggerating or sterotyping, but i'm NOT. at all. heather's kids are content to wait for what they want because they know they're entitled--either that or just buy it. my kids just take it, and pardon me--but f*ck whoever stands in their way.
so, to make a long analogy short--i think you're right on. and i hate it. but you could very well have be onto a theory that sucks, but speaks very much to the way our society (societies) is (are) today.
take it for what you will.
# posted by 
: 3:42 AM
: 3:42 AM
Hmm. First, this issue probably deserves a little more research into the matter than merely what we've each "heard of." That being said, I accept your premise. It's valid and equally observable to say that lower-class citizens of any society--being unable to lash out directly at the system that keeps them down (i.e., "the Man," local government, and police officers)--lash out indirectly at individuals seen as representative of but not given authority by said system (i.e., educators, doctors I guess, and the guy behind the counter of the 7-11 who gets robbed at gunpoint five times a week).
Well, lashing out is generally horizontal in the States(they attack each other, more than they attack someone "higher-up" in the system).
~Brian
~Brian
# posted by : 11:43 PM
: 11:43 PM
I think you may be right. However, there is violence in our hospitals, especially those that serve the lower socioeconomic class. I don't think it's prevalent because it mainly happens in community clinics and hospitals, those that take Medicare, Medicaid, and state health plans. I work at the University of Washington Medical Center and I had to take an orientation class on protecting myself in order not to be sued if I ended up harming the violent person. I also had to take a test on the procedures of contacting security. I think the knowledge about violence in US hospitals is swept under the rug because those in charge in the US believe it's a certain population that has issues. I bet the US would be similar if we did have universal health care.
Does your health care cover medications and stuff?
Also, hey Christopher! Late congradulations on your marriage:)
Niki.
Does your health care cover medications and stuff?
Also, hey Christopher! Late congradulations on your marriage:)
Niki.
# posted by : 4:23 AM
: 4:23 AM
The answer to your question lies in your previous post. Your newfound homeland celebrates Guy Fawkes.
And maybe, just maybe, if you add me to your friends list, I'll add you to mine (ooooh! ahhh!). I even wished you Happy Birthday on my LJ. Isn't that nice?
And maybe, just maybe, if you add me to your friends list, I'll add you to mine (ooooh! ahhh!). I even wished you Happy Birthday on my LJ. Isn't that nice?
# posted by : 4:28 PM
: 4:28 PM
RAGGY.
I'm (jenna) going to UT now, and leaving Marian behind in our dorm room. We were reminiscing of our times with that disgusting winthrop and how you shoudl have dropped kicked him to the face.
Anyways, we thought AWWW RAGGY. So... We wanted to message you. Hope all's well with you and your wifey. Have an awesome christmas, man!!!
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I'm (jenna) going to UT now, and leaving Marian behind in our dorm room. We were reminiscing of our times with that disgusting winthrop and how you shoudl have dropped kicked him to the face.
Anyways, we thought AWWW RAGGY. So... We wanted to message you. Hope all's well with you and your wifey. Have an awesome christmas, man!!!
# posted by : 4:15 AM
: 4:15 AM << Home
