- Joined
- Oct 16, 2002
- Messages
- 1,950
- Reaction score
- 53
Your disdain for "menial tasks" does not elevate the relevance or importance of your skill set above them, it just happens to coincide with the disdain others have for paying you what you're worth. Listen I don't think us out here in the trenches LIKE to do billing and other tedious "non advanced tasks"...but it's requisite to understanding the whole billing process [which, like it or not, is just as important in your department as it is mine, I just happen to have responsibility in that regard]...and it puts things into far greater perspective when you realize there is a price tag attached to your actions, both in terms of your livelihood and your impact on patients.
I don't care how happy people say they are in academics. What I care about is people pushing the idea that academics is great because one can kick back, ignore all the details and implications behind their work, yuck it up with other high minded folks over a beer at some insignificant international conference on the classification of ganglion cysts, and let the world burn around them because they're safe inside the walls of the tower.
I think the general idea is those of us who prefer academia are in it for the actual work; not the billing, practicality, financial strategies, etc. we actually collaborate about the science, develop better diagnostic criteria and treatment-based solutions, and try to expand the central scientific core of the field. The financial aspects are peripherally important but not even in the top 20 (or top 50) reasons I went into Pathology. I understand it’s important for you to do tedious (to me) tasks like billing; but it isn’t to me. In fact I have 0 interest in billing or insurance. Why? I am salaried and non-RVU based on purpose and happily am in this system for a reason because I want to concentrate on my diagnoses, my work, my research or investigative thoughts.
So let’s reinforce this point is that private practice Pathology is a MINORITY of the workforce in this country. The fact that some of you keep stating that your opinions are somehow the most realistic or relevant are wrong. Yes they are relevant to you but not necessarily to the rest of the Path workforce.
For all the ranting and raving I see here about finances, reimbursement, future projections; I haven’t seen any of you making a positive change in the Pathology lobby to fight the downward trend in reimbursements. Are you? Or do you just wish to complain and be sad and feel like a victim. Do something about it. I would gladly and happily support you if you did.
I am doing something about what *I* care about. Medical education, my subspecialty practice, and getting Pathologists more engaged in clinical aspects of medicine. If you feel strongly about the direction of path do something about it. Stand up and make your voice heard. I would gladly have your back. We are on the same side. Despite me ridiculing your passions for billing and you ridiculing my passions for discussing science; we are in fact supposed to be on the same side.