Conference turris::womannotes-v2

    Well, happy customer stories mean no more (possibly less) than
    unhappy customer stories; but our family has had no complaints
    at all with MTHP in the 5-1/2 years that we've been with them
    (including the last 1-1/2 years, when my wife and daughter have
    been covered at their Milford Family Practice center).  We have
    consistently received prompt, courteous, and satisfactory service.
    
    Incidentally, unless they have they changed their name, it is
    Matthew Thornton Health *Plan*, or MTHP -- it is a big thing
    with them that they are *not* a clinic.
    
    	-Neil

	People's impressions of MTHP seems to vary depending on which clinic
	they're familiar with.  I've heard good things about the Merrimack 
	office, and about *some* of the specialists (pediatricians, allergists) 
	at the Nashua center, and not so good things about others.....

		Helen

    My family and I have had great luck at the Nashua MTHP.  My husband
    has undergone 4 knee surgeries, a back injury, and a vasectomy.  I've
    dealt with them during 2 high-risk pregnancies and C-sections. 
    My OB/GYN is wonderful as well as my GP, and the kids' pediatric
    staff are caring and gentle.  We've also had good luck with responses,
    etc. when we've had problems on the weekends.
    
    We're spoiled with them moneywise, too--in all the years we've been
    going there, we've paid a total of about $35--for crutches and a
    back cushion.  All the surgeries, emergency ambulance, premie care,
    etc. was 100% covered.  Our prescriptions are free, too.
    
    Sorry that some other people haven't been so lucky.
    
    Sue
    

    I've only been to the OB/GYN department, but I was VERY pleased
    with the nurse practitioner that treated me there.  She was patient,
    caring and took time to explain things to me.  I DREAD having gyn
    exams, (doesn't every woman??) but this woman made the exam tolerable
    and was very attentive to my needs.  A friend of mine goes to this
    same woman, and is very pleased with her as well.  I recommend them.

    	While not related to the HMO in question, I thought I might
    offer a little insight into the financial/professional arrangements
    which are the core of many HMO's in Massachusetts (I did a goodly
    amount of consulting in this field about ten years ago and have
    a couple of friends who are still so employed).
    
    	I am not speaking for all HMO's, just the one's I had a
    professaional relation with (contractual arrangements, etc. prevent
    me from naming them).
    
    	The HMO's with which I have been professionally involved base
    the staffing levels for GP's on the premise that as few as 1 in
    8 patients will require visits with GP's (7 of 8 visits will be
    serviced by nurse practioners).  The better HMO I know of bases
    the GP staffing level on half the patient visits requiring the direct
    service of a GP.  The GP's are rated on the ratio of patients who
    see the GP and those who see the nurse practioner.
    
    	GP's are also rated on the amount of time spent with patients
    (ratio of visitors to 'office hours').  A third measurement of GP's
    is the financial cost to the HMO of treating each illness.  (To
    my knowledge, there is no measure of patient satisfaction or quickness
    in correct diagnosis and treatment.)
    
    	Some HMO's are better than others, of course.  Some are much
    worse than others.  In my opinion, the major goal of HMO's is financial
    return and not patient care.  A recent case concerning a major Boston
    based HMO stands as some proof of this:
    
    	A woman member of the HMO in question had a difficult to diagnose
    serious illness.  The doctors at her HMO complained to her that
    she was over using the facility and her illness was nothing more
    than a bad case of hearburn.  In one visit to a provate GP the problem
    was properly diagnosed.  The woman filed suit against the HMO
    but I am unaware of the outcome.
    
    	The above 'case' is VERY common with most HMO's in eastern
    Massachusetts.  It is different only because it was reported on
    by the local media.
    
    Douglas

    Does any one have any opinion on Dr. Faraci?

HOMEWORK has gotten into trouble with negative recommendations. If you have
something good to say about this, or any, professional or institution, feel
free to share it here. If you have a negative recommendation to share, please
only indicate that you have experience with a particular professional or
organization, and are willing to discuss it off-line (email, phone). Thanx.
	Mez

  Check out helpme::parenting notes 1823.1 and 1258.3 for Dr. Faraci.
  There is also a bunch of stuff on OB/GYNs in the Nashua area.
  Searches on GYN, OB and Nashua all have many notes.

  I thought there was one negative statement about Faraci, but I can't
  find it now.

  -Amy