That’s Quite a Healthcare System You’ve Got There

Our modern healthcare system is just that. A system.

Driven by business concerns and a lot like a visit to Las Vegas. The operation of the system favors the system itself, not the participant.

Okay. Probably not news to any of us.

As users of healthcare, we can be content with what we get, try to change the system, or use the system to our own advantage.

There is always a choice..

Checking In

Hollywood had a good idea years ago when they made the movie “The Doctor”. Working through the character of a modern medical doctor, the story explored the impersonal nature of western healthcare and the idea that improvements are possible.

I recently had the opportunity to experience our healthcare system as a patient. While I am more accustomed to being in the role of the physician, the role change to medical patient was an uneasy one.

My experience was eye opening, to say the least. Modern medical care has changed a lot since my last visit and while my own bedside manner has not changed a lot over the years of practice, medicine has.

Admittedly, my experiences were not as dramatic as William Hurt’s character (my life is thankfully rarely as dramatic as a movie), I did discover some surprising changes to the modern medical experience.

Takeaways

In taking up a criticism of our healthcare system, my issues lie squarely with the business structure, not the workers. There is a multitude of caring professionals operating in a generally uncaring environment. Without their unwavering (and often unrecognized) dedication to helping others, the system would cease to function.

While likely not a comprehensive listing (your mileage may vary), here are a few observations that stood out for me.

• No one is in charge. The anonymous medical corporations set out rules and lots of employees are used to enforce them.
• Everyone is your doctor. From clerical staff to computer bots, I was (am) regularly pitched for consumption of the latest medication without consideration of my medical history. “Is this medication appropriate (or even safe!) for me to take?”, does not appear to be a consideration.
• What is Informed Consent and where did diagnosis go? Consistent with everyone being my doctor, the absence of informed consent (where the pros and cons of any given intervention is provided) is glaringly absent. Everything appears to be working from an algorithm (this test result equals that medication/procedure). I really miss have conversations with my doctor where they shared their informed opinions.
• Limited patient education. “Do you have any questions?” comprised the majority of many a medical conversation. Small bits of advice were obtained through the “Everyone is your doctor” method but they lacked coherence with my situation (How do I follow advice to exercise when I already exercise 5 days a week?) I learned little.
• Time is the top priority. Wear a mask and hurry up – moving the patient through appears to be the reason for existence.
• Do you have our app? Instead of supplementing patient interactions, technology is used to replace conversations. Do not expect a lot of coherence with your concerns about care. You are interacting with computers and not trained people.

Managing Expectations

In full disclosure, I am truly a poor patient. Most healthcare people are. We know more than the average patient and sometimes think that patient compliance is intended for someone else.

Ego is obviously a factor.

I have always prided myself on following a healthful lifestyle and therefore exempting my body from the consequences of poor lifestyle choices.

Then Nature reminds me of who is really in charge.

Experiencing an aging body and the associated Health setbacks is truly humbling. (So is confronting one’s mortality but I will save that for another post.) As a mostly healthy person submitting my body to this modern healthcare system for evaluation and treatment, the struggle is real.

I have never been anti-allopathic healthcare. I am rarely anti-anything. The modern medical machine most certainly has its uses but the tools at its disposal are not always a good match for all conditions that patients present.

The right tool for the right job, please.

Using the Healthcare System

Our actual Health care need is for healing, not engaging the business.

Just because the healthcare system is based upon a business model, does not mean that it lacks usefulness to us, the consumers. We just need to adjust our game.

1. Be your own healthcare advocate. As I have written about advocating for others, the system demands that we also advocate for ourselves. Ask those questions about your diagnosis and care that bug you. Do not be shy. The medical folks are not always going to volunteer helpful information. Remember that the healthcare system is selling service and products, not trying to improve your quality of life.
2. Reframe the problem and use the system. We all see how healthcare works. Instead of begging help from this bureaucracy, use it to meet your own goals. Healthcare can be in service to our needs and wants. Like any sales pitch we receive, respond in ways that best serve your desires.
3. Be happy. Ask loads of question until you understand your situation. Cooperate with care when you agree. Say no when you think it appropriate.

Be an empowered healthcare consumer. Trust when you choose to trust.

Above all, be Heathy.

“…things are never as complicated as they seem. It is only our arrogance that prompts us to find unnecessarily complicated answers to simple problems.”

― Muhammad Yunus