Who would have thought that self-advocacy for one’s own healthcare would become such an essential part of caring for ourselves and loved ones? But it is.
Maybe the pandemic experience accelerated the process, but the resulting impersonal characteristics of the healthcare machine have become very visible. Where caring for one’s health was something that could be trusted to the professionals and institutions whose job is to care for us, there has been a change. There has been a loss of trust in the system.
Often the only person with our own wellness in mind is ourselves.
Let’s run with that idea.
Where IS the Science?
In recent years, gaming of our language has been taking place. Embracing a common term and changing the definition without a consensus of participants, has created a lot of confusion and vulnerable emotional states (the likely purpose behind the exercise).
Add to the confused communications a strong financial objective inherent in selling goods and services, and it is no wonder that the “business” of healthcare has become a feature of the situation, rather than a bug.
As I have shared here before, Science is a tool of exploring and trying to make sense of our world. It is not and never has been a noun indicating a law of the land. Science has authority unto itself as a process, but it is not a conclusion used as a cudgel to direct others.
When Science goes quiet because it is no longer data driven but steered by market and/or ideological pressures instead, it is no longer Science. It is only an opinion.
As a consumer of scientific literature, I find it frustrating to read research that, coincidentally of course, supports particular political views of the moment. The supporting data usually has several areas that do not stand up well to critical thought. Whenever information is omitted or ignored, it is no longer a scientific inquiry.
Reliable scientific information does still exist but I am more skeptical than in the past.
Trust but verify.
Building Resilience
What better way to respond to a process designed to weaken than to strengthen one’s ability to respond?
Choosing to hand over our healthcare responsibilities to others is one option. A person can trust that all they are told is true and correct. That is one way to live a life. My experience of life is such that I have not found this to be true, but it is a choice.
Choosing to build strength in response to change is also an option. It takes some personal courage but the results will come from informed choice.
Self-Advocating for Healthcare
With a healthcare system pursuing its own interests over those of patients, we have this choice. To go with the system or become our own decision maker. My preference is to advocate for the use of the system and all of its available resources to make our own informed healthcare decisions.
I likely stunned a healthcare provider recently when I thanked them for being a part of my personal healthcare team. I told them that I valued the information they provided me in making my healthcare decisions.
Their silent response was remarkable but they will get over it.
Modern healthcare produces immense amounts of information. Information on the current status of your body. Information on what may help (or hurt) the functioning of your body.
Use that available information and decide what direction you want the care of your health to go. Ask questions until you understand. Gather additional professional opinions as needed.
Above all else, become knowledgeable. The payoff for taking charge is your health.
“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny.”― Aristotle
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