Taking Command of Our Health Decisions

With a full blown healthcare system in our lives, taking command of our health decisions would seem to be an easy job. We have health insurance and doctors of all flavors (specialties) at our disposal. We have surgery available and pharmaceuticals galore. What could possibly be missing? We are all hale and healthy because of this ready access.

Right?

Not the Same Place, Not the Same Thing

Health and healthcare have changed a lot in recent years. Pretty much gone are the days of the family doctor who managed all your household’s aches, pains, and injuries. Today it is specialists, prescriptions, and covered services. Loads of individuals all fulfilling their small part in managing your healthcare.

Managing health, however, is something different.

The business of healthcare has taken charge of most decisions that we once relied upon our doctors and nurses to make. Gone is the blind trust that we could invest in the people who provided our healthcare. What we have now is a team of employees that possess tremendous technical expertise when it comes to caring for the human body using the available tools (drugs & surgery). 

Many of the important health decisions are now up to you.

Engaging the Machinery

I have recently had the opportunity to obtain care through our healthcare system. Being a medically educated patient creates a few awkward moments, but generally things worked out.

Here are just a few observations:

• “I’ll Take ‘Chasing Symptoms’ for 200, Alex”. For every symptom, there does not need to be a corresponding medication, test, or procedure. Since the business of healthcare is based on paying for items and services, such a model meets their limited scope of care for patients, but I think I still like the old diagnostic model where all data was coordinated and analyzed in the creation of a treatment plan. Now we just get algorithms for care.
• Does every event need to be addressed medically?  I know that when you have a hammer (drugs/surgery), every problem looks like a nail. Can we also consider accomplishing goals through lifestyle changes? (I know. Doctors make for terrible patients.) Maybe if we care for ourselves better, there would be less need for lifelong drug prescriptions. Just a thought…
• Not every event constitutes a crisis in need of action. Our bodies respond to changes. Sometimes the changes are significant. Sometimes changes are just the body adapting to new circumstances. (Responses to a prescription drug or other therapeutic actions.) A change may just indicate that the body is healing. Trust in the healing process a bit folks. Our bodies have been doing this much longer than managed care has been around.

The more I reflect on these ideas, the more I realize that since the system is not likely to change anytime soon, we need to adapt.

This may be a tough adjustment.

Health Command

Nature has an uncanny way of disregarding what we want and continuing on its merry way. No amount of wishing or yelling changes that. 

I think our relationship with Nature develops over time. Science gives us insights, but it is our human ability to draw conclusions from complex sources that sets us apart. Perception is a skill to be mastered with wisdom that comes from experience and practiced thought. (Is it Climate Change or just climate change?)

Ignoring for a moment the rather desperate need for attention that our healthcare system places upon us (do we really need so many texts and notices about things you already told me?), there really are few individuals of consequence involved. Everyone seems to be playing their part as a cog in the healthcare machinery.

Who is in command then?

Call to Action

If the healthcare apparatus wants authority (they sure sound like a boss), but decline to take on the responsibility of being in charge, I suggest we step up. The seat is empty and besides, who can we trust better to look out for our best interests than us!

I recently completed a questionnaire for my provider in which I was asked what I thought. I responded that I was happy to have the doctor and his staff on board as part of my healthcare team. They were not my entire team but they are an important part.

The office did not respond but I came to realize that such an empowered approach can produce good results. Relying on others has become more problematic in recent years. Proactively approaching my health is important. 

Why not be in command of your health? Line up a variety of experts whom you trust, gather their learned opinions, then make an informed decision.

Owning life changing health decisions is important. 

Be in command.

“Being in command means making tough decisions. Not being in command means shutting up and doing what you’re told.”
― Eoin Colfer