Oblivious? Well, just maybe

"Let them eat cake."   Marie Antoinette or some other member of the French royal family may or may not have uttered these words, but doubtless the saying reflects how unaware or uncaring or both that the privileged were of the plight of the poor.  The poor are ever with us, you'd think most people would be conscious of today. The doctor, treating a sick child who is presently homeless, has been informed of the child's status, for payment purposes since the health insurance is pending.   He deems the child patient not seriously ill, strep test negative, and advises a plan of treatment.  He tells the temporary guardian that she may be given Tylenol, and tea with honey and lemon for her sore throat.  Not bad advice certainly, but for a child who has been sleeping on the floor with only blankets (no sleeping bag), in 4 different locations over the last 4 weeks, a cup of tea with or without honey and lemon is about as unrealistic a scenario as telling  the starving French to substitute  brioche for bread. Whenever I hear of a quicker or more comprehensive discovery that will improve physicians'  access to a patient's medical history, I think what a waste of time and money. As a patient myself, I have been in a doctor's office where I have filled out a multiple page information sheet about my medical history, but when I entered the examining room, the nurse asked a few questions, and jotted the information on a small note pad, just a few lines.  When I remarked that I had already filled out the extensive form, she answered that the doctor didn't have time to read those forms.  Big surprise, huh?