Blogfinger blue cow. She eats blue grass. and her milk goes to make blue cheese. She works part-time for us, but that is udderly ridiculous. We want to breed her to make a turquoise cow.  Blogfinger photo ©

1.   A pocket garden in OG. Another example of brilliant small botanical gardens in our town. Paul Goldfinger photo. ©

2.  Craig’s List scam:  I place an ad to sell something, for example a $200 electronic device.  When setting up the ad, I allow communication by text.

Then I get a text asking if the item is still available.  I respond  “yes.”

Than I get another text saying that the person will buy my device “asap.”   They offer to send a certified check overnight which would allow me to cash it immediately and get my money.  They also offer to send someone to pick up my item the next day.

The problem is that even if you get your cash, some time later , perhaps weeks later, you may hear from the bank that the check has bounced, and you owe the bank the money, even if you already have spent or deposited it.  This is not the same as a  bank check.

I saw through this and sent a text back saying that if the buyer is willing to close the deal by giving me cash, we can complete the sale.  I never heard back from him/her.

3.  

Key To Medical Group’s Success: Letting Doctors Be Doctors

Physicians in the Privia Medical Group—an AMA group member—are not called upon to be typists or secretaries, says Keith Fernandez, MD, chief clinical officer for the management company, Privia Health. Their role is to listen to patients and provide care. Read more at AMA Wire®.

Blogfinger medical commentary: by Paul Goldfinger, MD, FACC.

In my early articles about Obamacare I predicted that the doctor-patient relationship would be compromised, and that has come true:

a. Doctors fussing with computers instead of interacting with patients

b. Abusive use of physician extenders who are allowed to substitute for physicians, and that spells malpractice and incompetence if used in that way.  These health workers are not doctors, and it does make a difference!

c.  Shortened time for visits and increased use of needless routine tests in order to increase revenues in the face of reduced reimbursements.

d. Difficulty reaching your doctor by phone.  Practices have built walls manned by medical assistants who are inadequately prepared to assess a patients complaints over the phone and who may even attempt to take a medical history such as asking you to describe your pain.  If you leave a message for the doctor to call back, you may not hear from the physician.

e. If you are sick and you call the office, they may tell you to go to the ER or come in next week without running it by a doctor. This is a violation of medical ethics.

f. Office policies and procedures are created by efficiency experts and not doctors.  Quality care may be adversely affected due to sloppy and inaccurate care related to bottom line and time management oriented priorities.

g. Doctors tend to be employees these days, and as such, their ability to take proper care of patients may be compromised.

h. And I have other complaints as well, but enough whining for now.  As predicted, it is not uncommon for doctor-patient relationships to be compromised.  You would think that malpractice lawyers would be very busy.    (ps I may sound overcritical, but during my career, I was never sued for malpractice.)

SONG OF THE WEEK :  Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge   (Live):