Quote from: y_jack_lok on May 12, 2026, 05:44:52 PMQuote from: WUPHF on May 12, 2026, 01:25:21 PMA part of me wishes the primary care industry would be disrupted because I have far too many examples, including three of my own, of a PCP pushing statins and scoffing at the idea of using diet and exercises to manage metabolic health, but this is probably the farthest I have ever been off topic, lol...
Yes, we are definitely getting off topic. I was just trying to point out the distinction between "traditional" medicine as taught at places such as Wash U Med School vs Osteopathic Medicine which is what Dubuque is undertaking. As for statins, I resisted them for years, but finally caved about three years ago. I have, for decades, eaten a healthy diet that seems unlikely to contribute to increased blood cholesterol. My cholesterol numbers weren't alarming, but always just high enough to get the attention of any doctor I saw. One doctor said that some people just have high cholesterol for which there is no explanation. Statins definitely work to lower cholesterol readings and I have not experienced any side effects. Whether or not they can be the reason why I haven't had a stroke or heart attack since starting them is unprovable. There seems to be better evidence that they are beneficial for those who have already experienced one of those traumatic events.
Anyway, let's hope Dubuque's new med school is a success and that the institution remains in D3. (How's that for getting back on topic?)
Quote from: WUPHF on May 12, 2026, 02:46:00 PMUD already has a physician assistant program which will move from the main campus to the new med school building.Quote from: Ralph Turner on May 12, 2026, 01:46:33 PMYou are right that the human aspect of the care delivery cannot be replicated, but one may not always need 7-13 years of post-bacclaureate credentialing to handle most clinical problems.
I could not agree more with the latter part of that statement.
If Iowa needs more doctors, they should work with Loras to open a physician assistant or accelerated doctor of nursing practice program.
My sister and brother-in-law are retired medical doctors. My brother-in-law thought the Osteopathic route was the way to go as that would move doctors into the field at a faster rate than a traditional medical school. He also mentioned he had great experiences with the DO's he worked with over the years.
It was also mentioned Drake would be an option, but the Des Moines area already has the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine. With med schools in Dubuque, Iowa City, and Des Moines, I would think a school like Morningside in Sioux City would be the next best option in the state.
