What is a “guarded condition”?
It has been suggested to me that the term “guarded condition” might refer to prisoners who are surrounded by guards while hospitalized. Although this is technically correct, I doubt that this is the true definition of the term. I have concluded that “guarded condition” cannot be defined medically, and perhaps, should not be used.
Do doctors who are capitated recommend more specialist care?
Similarly, doctors who are capitated – making a fixed amount of revenue, rather than being paid based on the number of patients or services they render – may be more likely to recommend patients see a specialist as well. "I think the overall shortage and geographic maldistribution of primaries is a bigger factor than the financial," Sager says.
Should I ask the doctor who dismissed me for a referral?
Don't ask the doctor who is dismissing you for a referral. Your better bet is to find someone on your own, someone who is independent of the doctor who has fired you. Don't complain about the old doctor. It does not move you forward and may give your new doctor a reason not to engage with you as a patient.
Are primary care doctors becoming less familiar with specialists?
However, primary physicians' familiarity with specialists' prowess may be decreasing, some experts say, as care is segregated and primary care doctors are less likely to round, or even have privileges, at hospitals, or work with specialists there.
What does it mean when a doctor says your condition is guarded?
* Serious (also poor or guarded): The patient is acutely ill with questionable outlook. Vital signs may be unstable or not within normal limits. A chance for improved outlook.
Does guarded prognosis mean dying?
The prognosis is guarded.” A family member hearing these words is unlikely to understand the provider's likely meaning: that the patient is in the dying process and that aggressive treatments are likely to do more harm than good.
What does it mean when a medical prognosis is guarded?
A “guarded” prognosis is when the person formulating the opinion simply does not have enough information to know or to foretell what the outcome may be. For example, suppose an evaluee has undergone a recent surgery and the recovery period has not been completed. This could lead to a guarded prognosis.
Why do doctors get defensive?
Defensive medicine takes place when doctors prescribe unnecessary tests, procedures or specialist visits (positive defensive medicine), or avoid high risk patients or procedures (negative defensive medicine). Doctors practice defensive medicine in order to reduce their exposure to medical malpractice litigation.
What does guarded mean in psychiatry?
Guarded: A mental health professional may use this term when they don't have enough information to predict the outcome.
How serious is critical condition?
Critical: Vital signs are unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may be unconscious. Indicators are unfavorable. Those guidelines also tell hospitals to only communicate their patients' condition, so it's unlikely that anyone will ever say any more than that.
What are the levels of prognosis?
A prognosis may be described as excellent, good, fair, poor, or even hopeless. Prognosis for a disease or condition is largely dependent on the risk factors and indicators that are present in the patient.
What does poor prognosis mean?
A poor prognosis refers to an estimation that there is a low chance of recovery from a disease. For example, if a person's cancer is an aggressive type or has already metastasized to other areas, a doctor may give them a poor prognosis. 1.
What are examples of defensive medicine?
A powerful example of negative defensive medicine can be found in the field of neurosurgery where many hospitals refuse to treat closed head injuries given the high risk of medical liability involved.
Is defensive medicine good or bad?
In conclusion, practicing defensive medicine is not good for patients or physicians. The adverse effects of defensive medicine are not limited to the increased cost of healthcare, but also affect the overall quality of the healthcare system.
Is defensive medicine ethical?
Defensive practice is therefore unethical and unprofessional, and should be viewed as a challenge for medical ethics and professionalism.
Where can a doctor treat the elderly?
These doctors care for the elderly. They can treat people in their homes, doctors' offices, nursing homes, assisted-living centers, and hospitals.
What kind of doctor can prescribe glasses?
You call them eye doctors. They can prescribe glasses or contact lenses and diagnose and treat diseases like glaucoma. Unlike optometrists, they’re medical doctors who can treat every kind of eye condition as well as operate on the eyes. Osteopaths.
What is an internist?
Internists. These primary-care doctors treat both common and complex illnesses, usually only in adults. You’ll likely visit them or your family doctor first for any condition. Internists often have advanced training in a host of subspecialties, like heart disease, cancer, or adolescent or sleep medicine.
What is a DO doctor?
Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO) are fully licensed medical doctors just like MDs. Their training stresses a “whole body” approach. Osteopaths use the latest medical technology but also the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
What is the job of a family doctor?
Their job is to save lives and to avoid or lower the chances of disability. Family Physicians. They care for the whole family, including children, adults, and the elderly. They do routine checkups and screening tests, give you flu and immunization shots, and manage diabetes and other ongoing medical conditions.
What is the name of the doctor who treats glaucoma?
You call them eyedoctors. They can prescribe glasses or contact lensesand diagnose and treat diseases like glaucoma. Unlike optometrists, they’re medical doctors who can treat every kind of eyecondition as well as operate on the eyes.
What does a genetic counselor do?
They diagnose and treat hereditary disorders passed down from parents to children. These doctors may also offer genetic counselingand screening tests.
What does "referring to other doctors" mean?
In the most ideal sense, doctors refer to other physicians they've gotten to know over the years, who they trust. But experts say referring out of convenience may also simply involve selecting from a list of names, such as doctors covered by a particular patient's insurance network, which hardly guarantees quality.
Why are anti-kickback laws important?
Anti-kickback laws keep doctors from paying other doctors directly for referrals. But in an effort to ensure hospitals, doctors' groups and other health providers better coordinate patient care, the Affordable Care Act makes allowances for keeping it in the medical family, so to speak.
What does Andereck say about referrals?
Andereck says given all that goes into a referral, patients have a right to know the reasons why they're being referred to a particular provider – and that they should inquire about that if it's not made clear , including insisting on transparency about any financial or cost-related reasons for a referral.
What is primary care doctor?
Your primary care doctor refers you to see a specialist. You get a name – or, ideally, multiple names – of doctors recommended to you. Understandably, you assume these are the best possible doctors to follow-up on medical questions your doctor couldn't answer, and perhaps to perform a procedure that could significantly affect your health.
Do primary care doctors have privileges?
However, primary physicians' familiarity with specialists' prowess may be decreasing, some experts say, as care is segregated and primary care doctors are less likely to round, or even have privileges, at hospitals, or work with specialists there. "Primary care doctors vary enormously in their knowledge of specialists' competence, and that knowledge has probably diminished over the years, as more and more primary care doctors cease to admit [patients to] hospitals," Sager says. "So there's reason to fear a kind of disintegration – reduced integration – of primaries with specialists, which impairs their ability to refer."
Can a HMO patient be referred to a surgeon?
He says a patient with an HMO, or health care maintenance organization, plan may be referred to a surgeon because that doctor, who is under contract with that patient's plan, performs a procedure at a lower cost – "no longer making the distinction based on skill, but based on price," he says.
Is 21st century medicine convoluted?
That may well be the case. However, experts say the reality is often convoluted by many underlying factors and fractured forces that dictate how 21st century American medicine is practiced.
What is the role of a periodontist?
But did you know there's a whole specialty related to the care of the structures surrounding your teeth? Periodontists study and treat conditions that affect the teeth's stability. The bone, gum tissue, and ligaments in your mouth all play vital roles in holding your teeth in place, so they must be protected. When you get gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, it can advance to a stage that requires surgery. That's where periodontists come in! They also complete root planing and scaling procedures and manage dental implants, as noted by the American Academy of Periodontology.
What is an oral surgeon?
Oral surgeons are tooth extraction specialists. While this may not be your favorite specialist to visit, they perform vital functions! They focus on implants and facial surgeries, devise treatment plans, and create prostheses for patients who lose parts of their mouth, head, neck, or jaw.
What do dental specialists do?
While this grouping of specialists sounds like a mouthful, what they do for your smile is more straightforward. They assess and diagnose diseases that occur in the face, mouth, and neck. They also create and complete treatment plans for these diseases. Three significant concentrations within the field of oral and maxillofacial dental professionals include:
What do orthodontists do?
Orthodontists work to align your jaw and straighten your teeth to improve their function and longevity. You may have already visited one as a child to get that beautiful smile with straight teeth you have now! These specialists aid in the growth of your mouth and jaw through various orthopedic devices. They specialize in braces, retainers, aligners, and headgear. Many of us see an orthodontist for a few years when we need to straighten our teeth, whether as kids or adults.
What is the goal of dentistry?
Their goal is to collaborate, research, and advance the art and science of dentistry. And above all, they know that preventing disease and improving your oral health is the most important work they can do.
Is a dental exam a substitute for professional advice?
It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
Do pediatric dentists decorate their offices?
They're like general dentists in that they provide the same type of services, like checkups and cleanings, but for kids. To keep their visitors engaged and happy through their dental experience, pediatric dentists usually decorat e their offices in fun and playful ways. Maybe we should ask our general dentists to get back to the fun decorations too!
Is it likely that many other physicians are similarly unaware?
Since I was unaware of the definitions stated in these guides, it is likely that many other physicians are similarly unaware . Both guides are similar, so I will combine and summarize them here.
Is patient discomfort good or bad?
Fair—Same as good, but patient is uncomfortable. Indicators are favorable.
What does an insurance lawyer do during a deposition?
During a deposition of the treating doctor, the insurance defense lawyer on cross-examination will review the history and physical doctor notes, and go painstakingly through every detail. The lawyer will try and be clever, however, as they will only pick out the tests, body parts, diagnostic studies and any comments that are helpful to their goals and the issues that have absolutely nothing to do with the injured body part hurt in the wreck. They will ask the most mundane questions about unrelated tests and body parts that were unaffected by the trauma to your patient. They’ll ask you if a test is negative, and follow up with the statement, “And that’s a good thing, isn’t it doctor?”
Is it a good thing to not be knocked unconscious?
A: It is a good thing to not be knocked unconscious, yes sir.
What is hypervigilance in mental health?
Hypervigilance is a state of increased alertness. You're constantly aware of your environment, and you may fear that someone (or something) will hurt you. A person in this state will take extra precautions to protect themselves against a perceived threat. If you're in a state of hypervigilance, you're extremely sensitive to your surroundings. It can make you feel like you're alert to any hidden dangers, whether from other people or the environment. Hypervigilance can severely impact a person's mental health. It's a common symptom of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the mental health condition that affects millions of Americans. In addition to PTSD, other mental health conditions could also be why someone is experiencing hypervigilance. For example, those with anxiety disorders can be sensitive to their surroundings. A highly anxious individual, for example, may be hyper-aware of what's going on around them. Some people with anxiety disorders are conditioned to believe that there's an imminent threat to their safety. Hypervigilance can vary in severity depending on the mental health condition. For example, a person with bipolar disorder may be hyper-aware of their surroundings to a great extent during a manic episode or psychosis. Doctors treat people with bipolar disorder using antipsychotics during mania, and these medications can help the symptoms of hypervigilance. When hypervigilance actions impact your mental health, it's crucial to get help. Please consult with your doctor or primary care physician before considering any medication options.
Why is overestimation important?
The ongoing overestimation of threats can make us feel as though we need to avoid any situation or place that can possibly put us at risk again. For example, a serious car accident can lead you to drive excessively slowly, frequently check your mirrors, or even stop driving altogether. Whether it’s making escape plans or closely reading people’s body language, hypervigilance keeps us ready for a threat that may not exist.
What is hypervigilance in the body?
Hypervigilance means being in a state of high alert for any threats in your environment. Though this is a way our body protects us in potentially dangerous situations, like walking through a dark alley alone at night, anxiety and trauma can keep alertness in overdrive even in our day-to-day lives. Chronic hypervigilance is often caused by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after going through an intensely painful experience. Severe accidents, military combat, assault, and ongoing abuse can trigger and maintain our body’s “flight or fight” response to guard against a repeat of the trauma.
How does hypervigilance affect PTSD?
The overstimulation caused by hypervigilance can also cause us to avoid social situations, isolating us from loved ones and other sources of support. When we’re left on our own with troubling thoughts, negative emotions and perception of threats can seem even more powerful. Isolation can also make you feel like you’re alone in your struggle. But according to the National Center for PTSD, 7 or 8 out of every 100 people will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. Reaching out to others who know what you are going through, whether through support groups or group therapy, can help you navigate the way to recovery.
Is hypervigilance a mental disorder?
Hypervigilance isn't (in itself) a mental disorder. However, it's a symptom of many common mental health conditions. Psychologists who have medically reviewed hypervigilance have found that it's linked to PTSD. People experiencing hypervigilance may be worried that there's something "wrong" with them. That’s understandable, but it’s important to remember that if you find yourself on guard and frightened, there's nothing wrong with you. You're not defective; you're experiencing hypervigilance. When traumatic events happen, they impact our mind and body. Sometimes the reason people experience hypervigilance is because there's something in their environment that reminds them of previous trauma. That's where exposure therapy or EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) can help. Trauma therapy is an important step that you can take to heal. Whether you see a therapist online or in your local area, it's something that you can use to help your health from your emotional wounds.
What does it mean when a doctor closes their practice?
If the doctor's practice is closing: Just like the rest of us, doctors close their practices. They may sell them, or retire from practice, they may die, or just close their doors.
Why are healthcare providers firing patients?
A relatively new reason for dismissal seems to be based on the type of insurance a patient has. In recent years, patients report their healthcare providers are firing them for no apparent reason (at least they are not told what the reason is). The one thing these patients have in common is that their payers are those that reimburse providers at very low rates.
What is the dismissal protocol for a patient?
However, in most cases, the dismissal protocol is based more on ethics and responsibility to the patient than what the law may or may not tell them they must do. These guidelines are mostly intended to keep the healthcare provider out of hot water (at least) or to help avoid a lawsuit.
What are the complaints that doctors have about patients?
Complaints doctors have about patients include everything from non-adherence to obnoxious behavior to missed appointments. When the complaints about one patient are just too much, a doctor may choose to terminate their relationship with that patient for any of those reasons, and for others, too.
What does it mean when a patient doesn't show up for an appointment?
From the provider's perspective, that means a window of no income in addition to the fact that the patient isn't getting the help they need.
Can a doctor dismiss a patient?
Doctors may not dismiss a patient in the midst of ongoing medical care, called " continuity of care.". For example, a person who is pregnant cannot be dismissed by their doctor within a few weeks of delivery. A cancer patient cannot be fired before his chemo or radiation treatments are completed.
Do you have to mention reason for dismissal in healthcare?
Few states oblige the healthcare provider to declare the reason for dismissal. Some guidelines even tell the healthcare provider not to mention the reason for firing in order to avoid an argument from the patient.
Why is being guarded important?
And it’s a great power because you rely only on yourself and don’t put your happiness in someone else’s hands. As long as you are not lonely and too withdrawn from society, being guarded can be a smart approach to dealing with people. After all, you can’t blindly trust and open up to those around you. So a certain degree of caution is always necessary.
Why Do People Become Guarded?
But this is not always the case. Sometimes, you become guarded as a result of disappointments and emotional wounds.
What does it mean when someone has a guarded personality?
Someone with a guarded personality won’t waste their time on the wrong people. They are self-sufficient and are doing fine on their own, remember? So hanging out with people who make them feel bored or being in a bad relationship just doesn’t make sense.
What is a guarded personality?
The Guarded Personality and Its 6 Hidden Powers. An individual with a guarded personality struggles with showing their affection to other people. If someone you love is a guarded person, you know exactly what it means. This is not a person who will tell you he or she loves you a dozen times a day.
Can a guarded person be invasive?
A guarded person won’t tolerate invasive people who don’t respect others’ personal boundaries. Such individuals threaten their sacred personal space, so they will just withdraw. You won’t see a guarded personality become a people-pleaser either. They know how to say no and set clear and firm personal boundaries.
Do guarded people tell you they love you?
This is not a person who will tell you he or she loves you a dozen times a day. S/he will hardly ever tell you this. They will not give you compliments or express their affection in any other way. They won’t be using lovey-dovey names either. And of course, they will never talk about their feelings. Sounds familiar? If your loved one behaves in this way, it seems that you are in a relationship with a guarded person.
Is being a guarded person a loner?
Being a guarded person often equals being a loner with a reserved personality. Yes, sometimes, people may be so disappointed and hurt that they don’t let anyone in, even those who deserve the risk.
How to protect yourself from a jaguar?
In a calm meditative state, from your deepest heart , call on the spirit of the jaguar to protect you. Feel her presence enter. Then, visualize this gorgeous, powerful creature patrolling your energy field, encircling it, protecting you, keeping out intruders or any negative forces that want to get through.
How to gain a sense of safety?
To gain a sense of safety, recognize some common factors that contribute to empathy overload. Begin to identify your triggers. Then you can quickly act to remedy a situation. Judith Orloff, MD is the New York Times best-selling author of The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People.
How do empaths protect themselves?
Empaths often suffer in their environment when they absorb the stress in their surroundings. The workplace especially can be noisy and over-stimulating. To protect your energy level in an emotionally demanding or crowded environment surround the outer edge of your space with plants or family or pet photos to create a small psychological barrier. Sacred objects such as a statue of Quan Yin (the goddess of compassion), the Buddha, sacred beads, crystals, or protective stones can set an energetic boundary. Noise cancelling ear buds or headphones are also useful to muffle conversations and sound.
What is shielding visualization?
Shielding Visualization. Shielding is a quick way to protect yourself. Many empaths and sensitive people rely on it to block out toxic energy while allowing the free flow of positivity. Call on it regularly. The minute you’re uncomfortable with a person, place, or situation, put up your shield.
When do you call on the power of the jaguar?
When you need extra protection I recommend this meditation to call on the power of the jaguar to protect you . I use it when there is too much negativity coming at me too fast. The jaguar is a fierce and patient guard who can keep toxic energy and people away.
How to stop empathy overload?
Prevent Empathy Overload. When you’re absorbing the stress or symptoms of others and you need to release the negative energy inhale lavender essential oil or put a few drops midway between your eyebrows (on your third eye) to calm yourself. When you able spend time in nature. Balance your alone time with people time.
