December 31, 1964

Foreign-Born Doctors See Need Of Medical Aid

Those readers who lie awake nights worrying about "gaposis" will be pleased to learn that one symptom of this widespread malady has been conquered.

Back in ancient days, when the zipper was still a novelty, the only "gap" of concern to Americans was that between the fastenings of a woman's skirt and her slip. To alert us to that dread new problem, some advertising genius coined the word which dramatized many other heretofore unrecognized crises — the missile, economic, submarine, steel and engineer being just a few.

The shortage that we are happy to report has been eliminated is that of medical doctors.

Ten years ago there seemed a real possibility that we would run out of doctors along about now. Two developments, however, saved the day — discovery of penicillin-type wonder drugs and immigration of foreign doctors to the United States.

I suddenly realized the so-called "medical gap" was closed during a pleasant party over the holidays. Present was a most interesting assemblage of doctors. Three were born and educated in Greece, one in Italy, one in Turkey, one in the Philippines and one in Spain.

Their views on American gaposis, medical and otherwise, were refreshing and perceptive.

Their consensus on the present state of the medical art in the U.S. is that we lead the world in technical progress but lag in imparting knowledge to prospective doctors.

"You don't have to be a genius to be a doctor," they say candidly, "yet you make it difficult for a young man or woman interested in medicine to get an education in this field."

The doctors point out that entrance standards to medical schools are stiff and the costs high. Undoubtedly, the inadequate number of medical schools has contributed to this situation. When all who wish to study medicine cannot be accommodated, then only the best and/or wealthiest will be accepted.

"The lack of competition between medical schools is further compounded in the profession after the new doctors are graduated," they say. "A high demand and few doctors inevitably runs up the fees. As a result, most doctors get rich but work harder than they should. Americans pay ever-increasing hospital and medical costs that they can meet only with government assistance."

It is agreed that construction of new medical schools, such as that recently approved for Toledo by the Ohio legislature, will help relieve the pressure on the profession. However, still more schools are needed (how about Akron?) and also more scholarships for smart but poor students.

My own observation is that the United States has benefited from the medical gap despite the admitted evils of scarcity. Without exception, the foreign-born doctors I met that evening were competent, dedicated physicians and enthusiastic Americans. The citizenry and the profession has been enriched by their assimilation into this nation.

On the subject of medicare and socialized medicine, the doctors had mixed feelings.

"Where we come from there are many, many more poor people than in America," they say. "We want very much to help the poor and see that they have every opportunity to better themselves. Yet we know, from sad experience, that government intervention in their lives eventually makes them worse off."

Medicare, they are quick to note, is very limited as proposed but quickly would grow to include a full program of socialized medicine.

"When the government pays the bills it sets the terms," they contend. "Already it has set up conditions which must be met by hospitals and nursing homes if they wish to participate in medicare payments."

"Where the English and Swedish socialized medicine plans break down is in the relatively routine health needs — for pregnancies, colds, broken bones, aging eyes and teeth, appendicitis, tonsillitis and similar frequent but inexpensive disorders. These cases take up 90 percent of a doctor's time and generally are not a hardship on a patient's income.

"What is really needed is full government assistance on the major medical problems of cancer, disabling heart injuries, brain damage and other bankrupting conditions.

They evidenced much interest in Congressman Frank T. Bow's medical bill which he has been pushing for several years. The Bow proposal would provide $125 annually to the aged for the express purpose of purchasing health insurance from private companies. This amount would provide more health care than the Medicare bill at less cost and without a new government bureau. The patient would choose the insurance company and the doctor.

In line with the doctors' concern for the really big medical cost, Congressman Bow or some other politician might do a great service for the country by adding public major medical assistance to some form of private selection of doctors for the day-to-day illnesses.

The doctors pointed up one more unusual medical problem that could do with some sensible solution — that of legal liability of doctors. Apparently, doctors are the target of some rather vicious suits. They frequently are asked to participate in hiking the claims for injury against insurance companies.

Doctors also are liable in Ohio for the life of an auto accident victim. Should they stop to render first aid and the injured party dies, the doctor may be sued for malpractice.  As a result, Ohio doctors generally do not carry identifying medical tags on their cars and are loathe to give unsolicited aid in accident cases.

New York has passed a "Good Samaritan" law giving doctors some protection in these situations. Perhaps a similar law is needed in this state.

On with the war against gaposis!

Author: Lindsey Williams