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Posted on June 1, 2005

W. Shoemaker on Nordstrom-quality care

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Wells Shoemaker, M.D., responds on the Nordstrom-quality care proposal by San Diego ‘Volunteers in Medicine’

Wow.

Nordstrom sells a lot of overpriced merchandise to people who don’t need another jacket, dress, hat, or pair of shoes, and then makes them feel comfortable about their choices, if not a little superior to the Chevrolet-driving masses in the process. We have a bit of that in health care, too.

My old question would be—what happens if you get abdominal pain when the cute clinic isn’t open? What happens when the retired professional isn’t up to date, or uses the same practice principles which we know led to legion safety risks, omissions, and misjudgments?

My last dig relates to doctors who go on charity service junkets to third world countries, but who refuse to accept referrals of patients with poorly-reimbursing coverage here in their home communities. These tend to be the best heeled of American specialists, to boot.

You’re right, Don. We need a single, logical system.

Wells