[enko]

While I'm by no means a fan of the US health care system, it seems pretty wasteful for high-value doctors to be wasting their precious time travelling to see patients.

Perhaps videoconferencing could be a good option for simple cases (viagra, sleeping pills) while a medical pick-up system could be instituted for patients requiring in-person consultations, but lacking mobility or the urgency required for an ambulance.

[GFischer]

It's usually not "high-value doctors".

Here in Uruguay, the lowest rung of doctors (which are the ones you get on call) are paid about U$ 1500/month. And they did at least 7 years of studies (which are tuition-free in Uruguay).

A lot of them are emigrating to Brazil of course.

[mistermann]

> they did at least 7 years of studies (which are tuition-free in Uruguay).

It's not their wage that is important, it is the value of their skills and time. If two people must meet face to face, it is most efficient use of resources to have the least skilled person spend their time traveling.

[redblacktree]

So if I'm say, a top-tier nuclear physicist, the doc should come to me? Who makes the determination?

[tagold]

Price. That's in market based economy, of cause.