Taking another break
japra | Aug 19, 2008 | Comments 15
Sunset clouds in England, August 14, 2008.Joni at Cote de Texas has an interesting post up today about the Kennedy house, which is on the market. The house is located in McLean, Virginia not too far from Washington DC. We lived in Falls Church, VA for six months back in the mid 1990s. I never knew we were so close to all that Kennedy history.
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I took Roxi to the doctor for a check up today. It was our first experience with the national health system here in England. Very interesting… The doctor said that she couldn’t understand why American doctors order so many tests and said that the doctors “there” tend to over-examine everything. Yikes! That of course made me wonder if maybe they don’t look into things enough here. Somewhere there is a middle ground.
Tomorrow we’re headed into London to visit with one of Mr. DJ’s cousins who is here overnight. Thursday back to the city for an afternoon and a musical with our good friends S and Y. Friday, Mama DJ is going to try to come for a visit. If she makes it, she and Roxi will go see another musical. If she doesn’t, Roxi and her dad will have a date in the city.
That being said, I think I’m going to take a week off from blogging. We have a three day weekend coming–another bank holiday on Monday. School registration is on Tuesday and then school begins on the 27th. So I’ll see you next Wednesday, for sure! Meanwhile, if you’re looking for something to do, why don’t you visit Gresham College’s website for a free online lecture? I am interested in watching the one called Making Art in Tudor Britain, but there are a whole bunch of them available to read, listen to or watch.
Have a great week!
Filed Under: Blog
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
Spectacular photo!
I absolutely love your ‘Sunset Clouds’, frameable art. You’re so talented.
My doctor tends to order a lot of tests too. Interesting. Maybe it’s just this doctor’s style.
See you next week.
Hi!!!!! – THANKS For the shout out! That’s so sweet of you to mention it!! I owe you one!!!!
Have a great break – see you in a few days.
And thanks again so much!!!!
Joni
Willow Decor–Thanks! And thanks for stopping by :-)
Christine–You’re so sweet. Thank you!
Joni–No need to reciprocate, I enjoyed your post today. It’s hard to imagine the family would let go of that property. Kind of sad.
Beautiful photo! That would be a little worrisome to have the doctor say that. It makes you wonder if they are checking things out enough over there. I hope Roxi is ok.
Have fun on your break!
Busy, busy! Have fun!!!
Laurie–Will do, thanks :-)
Alyson–Roxi is fine. Just a check up :-)
> The doctor said that she couldn't understand why American doctors order so many tests and said that the doctors "there" tend to over-examine everything. Yikes! That of course made me wonder if maybe they don't look into things enough here.
There is a difference in economic imperatives here, I think, which explain the difference between US approaches to tests, and those in the UK.
In the US it is in the interest of those in the medical industry to part you from your money. The more tests they can recommend you have, the richer all sectors of their industry become.
In the UK healthcare is served out from a common pot. Therefore there is no incentive for doctors to recommend unnecessary — or at least, marginal — tests; to do so would not benefit themselves individually, and indeed would diminish the common pot. Here in the UK we all become poorer, the more wasteful medicine is indulged in.
A secondary reason is that in the UK doctors are, I believe, less in danger of being sued for malpractice: it rarely happens. In the US there seems to be far more a culture of litigation; in consequence doctors attempt to cover themselves by prescribing tests simply to provide legal evidence that they took all due care and attention, even though the tests were not strictly necessary.
Which system is better? Well, neither is perfect. Mortality rates are similar in both countries, as are indices of 'customer satisfaction'. But in the US an average life expectancy of 70 years is achieved by the spending of 12% of its GDP. In the UK the same life expectancy (in fact, a marginally better one) is achieved by the spending of only 6% of its GDP, suggesting that the UK has a more economical, less wasteful system.
(I can provide statistics for the above, if anyone wishes to see them.)
P.S. Wonderful photo! And really good blog!
Howard–Thanks for your thoughtful comment! By the way, the UK/US forum that your name is linked to looks very interesting. I’m going to check it out right now :-)
We’ve had good experiences with the National Health although it has its ups and downs. I wish the USA could offer universal coverage. I hope you are enjoying your break. Lovely sunset!
Sarah–Actually, beside from the kind of funny comment, we had a nice visit with the doctor.
The sunset clouds are so striking. I’m glad to know that you are getting enough sun to make a picture of that sort!
As for the NHS, I’ll never forget moving here when I was 7.5 months pregnant and being handed a plastic cup “to keep” for my urine sample. Low-tech, but sensible in some ways.
What day does Roxi start school? It is so hot here that we are feeling “endless summer” and not quite comprehending how close round the corner are the back-to-school days.
Those clouds are positively Turner-esque! Incredible! Yes, the doctoring is different over there. No doubt, we Americans could use more sense, and the Brits could use more sensibility. Mimsy
Bee–When I first read your comment, I thought you were going to say that they wanted a sample to make sure your were pregant! Haha!
School starts today. Where did the summer go? Hope you’re enjoying your last days of freedom.
Mimsy–You’re such a clever girl ;-)