Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief

Anna Gregoline | August 2, 2004
It is only recently that doctors and lawyers have begun to advertise. Do you believe in this practice?

(Sorry for the title, it's Monday)

Scott Horowitz | August 2, 2004
Terrible pun using the word "practice" hehehe

I have more of a problem with drug advertisements than doctors/lawyers advertising. What's worse? Having a kid see Janet Jackson's exposed breast for 1/4 of a second. Or having them watch a 3.5 minute commercial about erectile disfunction??? And how many times do we see commercials about pills and all they tell you is "Ask for the purple pill"?

As for doctors and lawyers, I have no problem with it. Sometimes you might think you have an ailment that is unique, and then you see a doctor talking about the problem. So, you can go get treatment or find out more information about it. And Lawyers, they need to get their name out somehow. My brother-in-law's firm does advertising on TV, and it has doubled their clients.

Melissa Erin | August 2, 2004
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Anthony Lewis | August 3, 2004
I don't have a problem with it.

Well, I could have done without the drug ads that warned of "occasional oily discharge" as a side-effect.

Anna Gregoline | August 3, 2004
Why do you think drug advertising has taken off in this country?

Jackie Mason | August 3, 2004
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Scott Horowitz | August 3, 2004
Imagine if Dr. Kevorkian advertised...

Melissa Erin | August 3, 2004
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Scott Hardie | August 4, 2004
Yes. And Morgan looks eeriely like Jeb Bush.

To my knowledge, drugs ads started appearing because legislation eased up. Originally prescription drugs couldn't be advertised at all, then a few years ago it was decided they could be advertised if the fine print was stated aloud (which is why so many of the commercials are a minute or more in length). Recently it was decided that they didn't have to state the fine print if they did not say what the drug treated, which accounts for the weird ones where they tell you to ask your doctor what it does. Those seem pointless to me, advertising a product and not saying what it does, but they must work; they have an air of mystery to them.

Anna Gregoline | August 4, 2004
I hate drug ads. I'm surprised that people ask their doctor about random drugs - and that doctors must say, sure let's try that.

Jackie Mason | August 5, 2004
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Anna Gregoline | August 5, 2004
Hey who was that lawyer guy in the Peoria area? I can't remember his name, and I used to LOVE him.

Scott Hardie | August 6, 2004
FOR the people (sound).

John Viola | August 6, 2004
Don't like advertising in general, so of course I don't like doctor, lawyer, or drug ads.

But I think the issue is deeper than just whether Morgan, Dr Kevorkian, or the 'purple pill' come into your home via your television during your favorite show.

The real issue I see is that every aspect of American life appears to be going to the profit motive. For example, universities, doctors, and prescription drugs. The university seems to focus more on throughput and making money than any type of true education (not every single professor per say, but the system as a whole).

When I visit the doctor I feel they herd me in and out as quick as possible - like cattle. It appears as if effecient throughput and maximization of profits overrides anything such as bedside manners. Also, which makes better business sense? To 'fix' a patients problem permanently for $4000, or have them treat the symptoms continuously with drugs at $200 a month (list price - which may be subsidized to some extent by a health care plan) for the rest of their lives? In two years you would have made more money, with a steady profit stream to follow.

Anna Gregoline | August 6, 2004
As far as the doctor thing does - the malpractice insurance is going through the roof, so perhaps that's why patients are being sped through - like the beef industry, more cattle means more profit.

But the malpractice insurance is up because Americans sue for every little thing - a different issue.

Melissa Erin | August 6, 2004
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