Living too long in Singapore makes you Cynical...

Just for fun, i decided to try a sample MCAT paper - to see if i would qualify for a place in the US medical system...the results to one of the questions scared me.. take a look. heh

Verbal Reasoning:

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

There is no doubt that Americans today place a high priority on living a long and disease-free life. It is generally conceded that freedom from pain and debilitation ought to be looked upon as a natural right of all human beings. Achieving this goal is facilitated by the proper selection of health products and services.

Of all consumer goods and services, none is more essential to one's welfare than health care. There are several excellent consumer magazines distributed by product-testing agencies that may be helpful in choosing health care. Yet the array of products and medical facilities is huge, and the claims for the merits of each are confusing. Occasionally, we may visit a physician or dentist and receive specific care or advice, but few of us can afford professional counsel on all health matters.

Not only can we waste a great deal of money on ineffectual products and professionals, but our health, perhaps even our lives, may depend on getting proper treatment for disease and illness. There are times when self-treatment should not even be attempted. For example, some products—such as aspirin, laxatives, and antihistamines—are dangerous when used in excessive amounts, in the presence of certain physical disorders, or in combination with other medicines. In addition to the question of which products to select, there is always the question of whether any product should be selected without the consultation of a physician.

Obviously, people should not run to a physician for every little scrape, bruise, ache, or pain. If they did, our entire system of medical care would be swamped overnight and the doctors would be unable to take care of the more serious problems. How can we know then, which of the hundreds of different symptoms that can develop require the services of a physician? There are several circumstances under which a physician should always be consulted.

1. Severe symptoms. Any type of attack in which the symptoms are severe or alarming—such as severe abdominal or chest pain, or bleeding—should obviously receive prompt medical attention
2. Prolonged symptoms. Any symptoms—such as cough, headache, constipation, or fatigue—that persist day after day should be checked by a physician, even though the symptoms are minor. Serious chronic disorders are often revealed through persistent minor symptoms.
3. Repeated symptoms. Symptoms, even though minor, that recur time after time should be reported to a physician because, like prolonged symptoms, they may indicate a serious problem
4. Unusual symptoms. Any symptoms that seem to be unusual, such as unusual bleeding, mental changes, weight gain or loss, digestive changes, or fatigue, call for a visit to a physician
5. If in doubt, the safest action is to see a physician. If there is a serious problem, it can be corrected in its early stages; if there is no problem, then you have paid a very small price for your piece of mind

1. The focus of this article is:

(A) the importance of selecting quality health care.
(B) determining when and when not to see a physician.
(C) holding down the cost of health care.
(D) maintaining consistency in quality of life.

I initially put B as the answer to the passage - however, on further thought, i changed my answer to C to reflect what i thought was the writers purpose in issuing this statement to the public.

In a Singaporean context, you simply have to be cynical enough to expect our health ministry (it sounded very health promotion boardish) to issue such a piece of text for only one purpose and one purpose alone: cost reduction! That must have subconsciously translated itself into my thought processes, especially since deal was sealed when i saw this statement: Obviously, people should not run to a physician for every little scrape, bruise, ache, or pain. If they did, our entire system of medical care would be swamped overnight and the doctors would be unable to take care of the more serious problems.
to me, it seemed pretty open and shut at that point... *snicker*

wrong.
lets see what the experts say:

1. The correct answer is (B). The author attempts to point out the symptoms that require a visit to the doctor and alludes to those that can be personally treated. Choice (A) is incorrect; while selecting quality health care is very important, there is no effort on the part of the author to deal with this subject. Choice (C) is incorrect; the author alludes to the importance of holding down the cost of health care, but focuses on care for the proper reasons. Choice (D) is incorrect; there is no mention of maintaining consistency in quality of life.

on post-analysis, i skipped ahead of the question, which was the regarding the focus of the article. .. instead, i answered the "purpose" and hence the "true focus" of the article... hai.