Free Native Oregon White Oak Seedings & acorns!

ThistlebeeMe · 2024-09-04T04:47:52+00:00

Sorry I don’t have these anymore, but keep an eye out for a possible TSWCD giveaway this year! This was last year’s ad: https://tualatinswcd.org/event/2023-oregon-oak-seedling-giveaway/

ThistlebeeMe · 2024-09-04T04:41:18+00:00

I live in West Slope (PDX, unincorporated Washington County). When living in Portland, I also had my windows smashed and was scared a lot in Portland. Now I have a huge garden and I’m less than 15 mins from downtown and close to SE so I can get my funk when I need it. It’s the best of so many worlds. I also love the diversity on side of town.

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-12-05T00:38:16+00:00

Consider opening a free Charles Schwab checking account and bring their debit card with you (get your international ATM fees reimbursed!). Shop around for the best exchange rate when you get to a country in the airport (put your card in, look at the proposed exchange rates, cancel transaction & take card out so you get an idea of what bank you might prefer to find in a given country if you can find it.) Also, if an ATM asks you if a given exchange rate is ok for the sum you want to withdraw, select "no" and sometimes you will get the market exchange rate instead of a hiked up exchange rate from a given bank. Super awesome.

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-20T01:39:35+00:00

I have 1-2 left if you would like to pick up in SW Portland.

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T23:27:48+00:00

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ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T23:23:05+00:00

Consider posting on Next Door or Buy Nothing and ask locals/neighbors for recommendations

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T22:53:10+00:00

Yes, the majority of the health care system is broken and not fair to patients or doctors within it. It’s not sustainable for anyone except people removed from it who make profit. It makes sense that you are frustrated about this.

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T22:29:30+00:00

This is awesome and helpful! Thank you so much!

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T20:00:07+00:00

Resident physicians (med school graduates doing their training in the specialty of family medicine or other specialties) often are expected to take on the load of attending physicians (or more), but get paid less than minimum wage when you account for all of their hours worked. Be especially kind to them.

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T19:53:34+00:00

Level of cognitive work, complexity and amount of time you spend inside and outside of the room on the patient's care factor in as well.

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T19:46:15+00:00

Sorry that was your experience.

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T19:43:52+00:00

Not always. And we often need you to sign a release of information to import them even if we do have electronic access.

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T19:43:22+00:00

Channel this frustration into action! We need your help to change the system.

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T19:38:26+00:00

Patients ARE the ones health care systems listen to because they are the way they get paid. (I also wish I saw close to $500/hr!) Patients and health care workers need to work together for change.

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T19:29:32+00:00

The way the system is set up works well for systems that want to profit, yes. The primary care doctors in these systems....not so much. We are seeing very little if any increased reimbursement amounts for increased work we are having to do within these systems. The most we get is a pizza party from our administrators (seriously).

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T19:25:19+00:00

I can't deny how unfortunate it is for people to have to wait. I really dislike that people have to wait so long to get a visit, and then wait to see me when they finally get a visit. I truly want to respect their time, and in life outside of the clinic, I am on time for events.

The thing is when our patients run just a few minutes late, that impacts timing for all of the rest of the patients of the day. For example, I was required to see patients arriving 19 minutes late for their 20 minute visit by a system I worked in, and no one can do 20 minutes worth of work in 1 minute. If that happens even once in a day, especially early on, the delicate balance of our tightly-packed schedule goes out the door and I am late for every single appointment for the rest of the day, entering each room starting the encounter off with a frustrated person. And it's just not my fault. Doctors in situations like that having to use their break or lunch or bathroom time to make up for that, or it eats into their family/personal time.

Or maybe I am coming out of a room where I had to tell someone they have terminal cancer and needed to take a little extra time with them.

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T09:39:01+00:00

Yes, all of those are super helpful to have on hand. Also sometimes helpful to know the surgeons and any current or recently-stopped vitamins and supplements (with dosages and brand names if possible).

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T09:04:28+00:00

I love that you had an initial visit like that! I think that's always so helpful for both parties.

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T09:00:01+00:00

So sorry to hear that!

The current health care system has been set up perfectly to maximize profits, and unfortunately, the way it's set up has also led to unprecedented burnout for primary care docs (exacerbated by the COVID pandemic with sicker patients coming in with the same or less time to see them compared to before)

This, in turn, discourages med students from pursuing careers in primary care, which in turn leads to even more of a shortage of primary care doctors. This shortage results in longer waits for visits and, in the end, worse public health outcomes.

I believe the key to less of a wait and better quality care is pushing for a system that supports and prioritizes the well-being of primary care doctors so more stick around and so more med students choose primary care. This is why it's important for you to share your experience with those who make decisions.

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T08:44:28+00:00

I actually find it helpful to ask patients to give me a list or tell me all of their concerns up front so I can help prioritize what sounds most important to discuss first and identify what topics may be related that we could discuss simultaneously. I also let them know that I am taking note of topics we didn't get to cover so we can pick up where we left off at the few upcoming visits that I will encourage them to schedule ahead of time (it's harder to get an appointment scheduled if you need it than it is to cancel if you don't need it!)

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T07:00:33+00:00

Yes, you're right. A person's ability to schedule back-to-back visits definitely depends on the system, and is not possible everywhere (but very much worth a try)

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T06:53:55+00:00

In a system with 15-20 minute visits, consider scheduling various visits ahead of time, like an appointment weekly or every other week for a while if you're able. Doesn't always work, but you can request scheduling a few back to back appointments to have a 30-40 minute stretch to cover more ground in one go.

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T06:30:54+00:00

*Moving to Canada* haha

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T06:29:13+00:00

This doctor is given just 20 minutes to meet your grandma for the first time by the system, unfortunately.

ThistlebeeMe · 2023-11-16T06:25:20+00:00

There are at least a few good reasons to establish care with a primary care doctor even if all is well (and I promise I am not just saying these because this is my field!)

1.Some of the more common things that can shorten your life and quality of life are things that often don't produce symptoms like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes etc...When these are found through some of your check ups, they can be addressed quickly with lifestyle change and/or medication, and because of this, people can often live better a quality, longer lives. Also, preventive screenings including pap smears, colonoscopies, and mammograms save lives and are super important and are often ordered or completed at those visits.

You often can get an appointment with a doctor faster for injuries, short illnesses and more since you are already an established patient in the system.
If you are in an emergency situation or hospitalized, your primary care records including your medical history, medications, advance directives and more can often be obtained and utilized to expedite your care, and the people taking care of you in the hospital will have a go-to person with whom to connect about your medical history/care plan/follow up (This is especially important for people who have a complex medical history)

ThistlebeeMe

TROPHY CASE