Straight Arrow
Well-known member
No ... you have to watch YELLOWSTONE to see the real Montana - Wyoming!
Questions regarding WY towns
- Thread starter bwalden123
- Start date
Sad, I know a doctor there very well and she is great. No need to throw them all under the bus. Ivinson has saved many a life in Laramie.
Yes specialists will be out of state just like many small towns across the country.
PrairieHunter
Well-known member
I never said anything about the doctors at Ivinson. Never said they didn't save lives either. My intent was never aimed at any specific doctors, just general statements about the states doctors in general. My apologies if you took it as if it I was singling out specific doctors at Ivinson. I said that based on my knowledge of the hospital I would try to get to Ft Collins if something happened. That's about the whole hospital system, not the doctors specifically.
What I said about doctors in general in the state is true. There is no medical school so kids have to leave to get degrees. Many do not come back. So you end up with some "challenges" when it comes to finding doctors to work in Wyoming. The end results is a healthcare system that is not as capable as those in surrounding states.
Wyoming has challenges that most small towns across the country do not face. I get that you are proud of Wyoming, rightfully so, but at some point you have to be realistic about the situation.
The same thing is true when it comes to mental health care in Wyoming. PBS just did a special on this crisis.
Anyone who is older, has health issues, high needs, etc needs to think about this before moving to Wyoming.
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JM77
Well-known member
What exactly does the quality of doctors have to do with where Wyoming Med students get their degree? Some of the advise given on this thread about Wyoming healthcare is laughable and more what you'd expect on social media like Facebook. When my father was in his 70s he had 7 by-passes and a heart valve replacement by one of the country's premier heart surgeons right here in Casper. He lived into his 90s. That surgeon still lives here by the way.
I'm not in any way promoting someone to take up residence here in Casper. The wind blows like hell and this town has already doubled in size in my lifetime; I guess with 35,000 fools who didn't know their lives were in jeopardy with our lack of healthcare.
My daughter is a Chemo nurse at our local oncology clinic which is staffed by extremely competent doctors who weren't Wyoming natives, but chose to move here for whatever reason. Many physicians come to Wyoming because they love hunting and fishing, fancy that! Frankly, if you don't know some specialty healthcare is hours away in a big western city, maybe just don't move anywhere out west. That solves that problem.
Sorry for the rant, Happy New Year!
BuzzH
Well-known member
You bitch about Wyoming more than any resident I've ever seen...shocking you still live here.
Matter of fact, I'd suggest you move if you hate it so bad.
I agree with @wytex and @JM77 there are some great doctors in Laramie, Casper and Cheyenne. I was shocked at the quality of the doctors I had in Cheyenne dealing with my covid induced blood clot issues this past fall. Very good doctors that ran the appropriate tests/blood work and gave great advice. They also told it like it is with my condition, why it likely happened, long term management, etc.
I did a mountain of research on my condition as well as the doctors treating me. Their experience and credentials stacked up with their peers, doubtful I could have found better anywhere else, including Denver. This thing called the internet and email and zoom meetings has really leveled the field in health care. The Doctors in Wyoming have access to other doctors in bigger hospitals at literally light speed, and are NOT one bit afraid to send your happy ass elsewhere if they can't manage your condition. The information age is an amazing thing.
I don't know what more you want?
WildWill
Well-known member
So true I live in a rural town in SE Oklahoma and for anything serious I have to go 2- 2 1/2 hours to Dallas or OKC. A common problem across the rural U.S. not just Wyoming.
Straight Arrow
Well-known member
There is no medical cure or even relief for someone whose glass is always less than half full.
Relocating would merely introduce a new area about which to bitch.
BuzzH
Well-known member
Maybe that's where the mental health care and PBS special fits into the/his equation?
Seriously.
PrairieHunter
Well-known member
The reason what I say bothers you is because it's true.
If you want to believe Wyoming has great doctors medical care, medical facilities, etc.. go for it. I am not here to change your mind.
I am realistic about the situation with medical care and other challenges there are for getting people to work in Wyoming. As I pointed out the same thing is true for TV anchors, weather people, etc... Same is true for rural teachers, those jobs are hard to fill in WY. If UW had a medical school it would help, but they don't. There is a reason 47 states do have at least 1 medical school. This is part of why Wyoming is ranked #44 in healthcare access by US news.
The video PBS did on mental health is Wyoming looks at some of the same issues the medical field faces. When you have close to or the worst rates of suicide the data is clear. Mental health is a challenge in Wyoming. One interesting part of that show was the elevation part, apparantely there is a correlation between eloevation and mental health issues.
You can get mad because what I said is true, change the subject, and go personal if that makes you feel better but it won't change the challenges the state faces when it comes to hiring certain professions including for healthcare.
PrairieHunter
Well-known member
Notice how the data supports my opinion and all you can do is change the subject to personal chatter.
Lets just stay on topic and see who was actually right.
Doctor Shortage in Wyoming; “Almost Impossible to Recruit”
Wyo Hospital Assoc. President: Federal changes makes it almost impossible for us to be competitive and for us to recruit especially family practice physicians in these rural areas where theyre needed the most.
cowboystatedaily.com
Doctor Shortage in Wyoming; “Almost Impossible to Recruit”
Published on June 6, 2019October 14, 2020 in News/Health careWyo Hospital Assoc. President: Federal changes makes it almost impossible for us to be competitive and for us to recruit especially family practice physicians in these rural areas where they’re needed the most.
By James Chilton, Cowboy State DailyCHEYENNE – When it comes to sheer numbers, Wyoming’s doctor shortage isn’t all that bad, on paper at least. Just two dozen additional full-time outpatient physicians would be enough to meet the primary care needs of the nearly 188,000 Wyomingites living in federally-designated Health Professional Shortage Areas, or HPSAs.
“The population of designated HPSAs in Wyoming for primary care is 187,903, and only 53.81 percent of that population’s need is met,” said Keri Wagner, of the Wyoming Health Department’s Office of Rural Health. “The practitioners needed to remove that designation is 24 for the entire state.”
While it might not sound like much, getting those 24 full-time doctors into the state, getting them to the communities where they’re needed most, and offering them the compensation and quality of life needed to keep them here have proven uniquely difficult in the Cowboy State. Federal and state programs have made some headway in the effort to bring more doctors, dentists and psychiatrists to all corners of Wyoming. But while the state’s reputation for wide-open natural splendor brings in the tourists and outdoorsmen, it’s not necessarily what most doctors are seeking when looking to relocate.
“It really takes a specific type of person, someone who grew up in these frontier communities that really wants to get back to practicing someplace where they’re relatively isolated. If they’re outdoorsmen or like cross-country skiing or hunting, sure; but there are long distances to get to any other type of entertainment,” Wagner said. “We’re surrounded by states with larger population centers, more enrichment opportunities and educational opportunities, so it can be a really tough sell for some communities that don’t even have a supermarket.”
The HPSA designation seeks to help with this by grading facilities, geographic regions and specific populations on criteria like patient-to-provider ratio, percentage of the population living below the federal poverty level and travel time to the nearest source of care. From this, hospitals, clinics and geographic areas are scored, with higher scores getting the most attention from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.
“If they have the HPSA designation for any of the three disciplines (primary care, dental or mental health services) it opens up the opportunity to participate in the National Health Service Corps,” Wagner said. “We have roughly 30 corps participants every year.”
The National Health Service Corps tries to get practitioners to where the need is by offering scholarships and loan repayment programs to fledgling doctors in exchange for an agreement to work in a designated HPSA for at least two years. Physicians working in geographic HPSAs can also obtain additional bonus quarterly payments from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
BuzzH
Well-known member
Your mindless/worthless opinion doesn't bother me a bit. I'm happy with the healthcare in Wyoming and can be in Denver very quickly if need be.
I'll agree that living in the West with very specialized conditions probably not the best option for the .000001 percent of the population that suffers from rare conditions.
But even then, the information age has really changed things. Many times local doctors can provide the level of care a patient needs under the remote guidance of a doctor in a bigger place.
You're grossly exaggerating the lack of quality health care for 99.9999% of conditions that are easily treated by local, competent doctors, of which we have plenty of.
Carry on with your ranting...and when are you moving to a better state to live in?
If you need help loading the Uhaul, I'll gladly lend a hand...maybe even fill the tank for you.
Carl 9.3x62
Well-known member
Fact is, people have good and bad experiences with health care in Wyoming, just like everywhere else. I've heard a lot of people complaining about the hospital and Gem City Bone and Joint here in Laramie, but I have used both places and have no complaints.
Straight Arrow
Well-known member
And just like everywhere else, there is a shortage of healthcare professionals, doctors in particular.
It's not a matter of who is right or wrong on this thread; it is a real national crisis, particularly in an era of spreading ailments.
The western states physician educational system and the inception of a new medical doctor training facility in Great Falls, MT, fills the glass to an improved level.
JM77
Well-known member
Compared to what? I'd be careful betting all you know on news articles.
Just so you know, I spent the last 10 years on a healthcare center board in Casper, 6 of those years as Chair. I have a pretty good grasp of the healthcare situation in central Wyoming.
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Djfan
Well-known member
It's amazing.
I'm in Wy and think all of those towns have great stuff to offer. We tried to get to Sheridan a few years back, but couldn't get work. You won't go wrong in any of them.
D
Deleted member 18333
Guest
Over the years I have heard lots of downsides to living in Wyo. Low end production values of local news is a new one.
No kidding. My wife grew up here and we have been coming out for 27 years fly fishing, camping and hunting before retiring and moving here, so we knew what to expect. I can say without reservation that near or below zero temps and 40-60 mph winds for days or weeks on end can be maddening.
I have a buddy that had to sell his house and build a concrete house as his wife couldn't take the sound of the intense wind here... and they have lived here many years.
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Ha! I quit watching the news since living here. If I want to hear lies I would go to the local bar and converse with hunters and fishermen.
WY medical is fine for 99.99% of people. Between casper and sheridan you've got good docs.
If something off the wall happens you may need to go to Denver. Same as anywhere, if you aren't near a trauma center or teaching hospital you have to go there for rare stuff
Our WY docs have handled bp issues, shoulder surgery etc. At times better than nh, WY docs are more apt to actually listen and talk to you.
As for weather, wifecand I are in NH playing with the grandkids. Man it feels cold here, and it's 25. Feels MUCH colder than in WY due to humidity
If something off the wall happens you may need to go to Denver. Same as anywhere, if you aren't near a trauma center or teaching hospital you have to go there for rare stuff
Our WY docs have handled bp issues, shoulder surgery etc. At times better than nh, WY docs are more apt to actually listen and talk to you.
As for weather, wifecand I are in NH playing with the grandkids. Man it feels cold here, and it's 25. Feels MUCH colder than in WY due to humidity
