Kayla Kinard

Dr. Wanda White

ENGL 1103-018
26 February 2014
Extended Inquiry Proposal
Title: The Benefits of a Physician versus a Patient
Thesis Statement: Physicians are always thought to do whats best for the patient, however this
conclusion has become controversial when considering money as a factor.
Introduction/Background of Topic: Doctors are required to do whats in the patients best interest,
states Don S. Dixon, MD. Physicians are always thought to do whats best for the patient, however this
conclusion has become controversial when considering money as a factor. Because most of their pay
comes from health care programs through a process called fee for service, some doctors are trying to do
whatever they can in order to assure that they are not only getting the pay they want, but also take
advantage of any possible ways of making more money.
Prior Knowledge: As of right now, I am not too familiar with this subject. I do know that doctors are paid
three different ways and the top way is fee for service which basically means that for each service they
complete for a patient, they collect a portion of how much the overall service cost. Although I do not
know much on this topic, I have experienced a real life situation where a doctor completed more
services than needed for a patient and the subject was my mom. I was able to distinguish that this is
what the doctor was doing because my mother used to work for a doctor herself and when she
questioned his extra services, he couldnt really give a legitimate answer to support his actions.
General Questions:
1. How do doctors get paid?
2. Which way pays doctors best?
3. Do they all get paid the same way or is it optional?
4. What percentage are they paid from heath care providers?
5. Can extra services cost a doctor his job?
6. Are there any hidden perks for doctors and their income?
7. On average, how much more money could a doctor make if they dont seek whats best for the
patient?
8. Are doctors encouraged to complete the least amount of services as possible?
9. Are patients allowed to disagree with a doctors suggestion?
10. Are patients benefitting from extra services ordered by their physician?
Primary Questions:
1. On average, how much more money could a doctor make if they dont seek whats best for the
patient?
2. Are patients benefitting from extra services ordered by their physician?
3. How do doctors get paid?
Possible Sources:
1. NY Times Health Section. Past articles that involve health care, Medicaid and physicians.
2. Interviewing someone in the medical field to get their opinion on whether they think some
doctors are in it for the money rather than the patient. Not necessarily a physician.
3. www.pbs.org Their frontline webpage include articles on critical topics in the medical field.
4. www.khanacademy.org Illustrates how doctors get paid and breaks down each way
Anticipated Issues:
Not able to get in contact with anyone in the medical field to get a closely related opinion from
someone who works in close proximity with physicians.
Being able to get all the questions answered to its entirety.
Having gaps in the information from not being able to get proper research.