| I have a love-hate relationship with the healthcare | | | | recommendations are and what alternatives to |
| profession. On the one hand, it's gratifying beyond | | | | this procedure or drug that exist WITHOUT |
| words to be able to help people improve their | | | | injecting any bias the doctor may have. Possible |
| health and their lives. On the other hand, the | | | | solution: Doctor's should take time to get to know |
| business of healthcare may be doing more harm | | | | their patients. Ask probing questions and give |
| than good, in some cases. | | | | honest answers. Be honest about their lack of |
| In my own practice as a chiropractor, I often | | | | knowledge when it exists, especially about less |
| hear someone say,"This is awesome! I never | | | | aggressive alternatives. |
| thought I could feel this good again". | | | | * Too anxious to be too invasive - Sometimes as |
| Unfortunately, I often hear those same people | | | | doctors, there's the urge to DO SOMETHING now! |
| say something like, "Why haven't I heard about | | | | The haste to act now, can make things worse |
| this before now?" or "Why did I have to suffer | | | | than if nothing were done, at all. Possible solution: |
| so long when this has always been available?" or | | | | One of the safest and most valuable tools in the |
| worse yet, "I don't guess my doctor was telling | | | | doctor's bag of tricks is something we call |
| me the truth about what you do." | | | | "watchful waiting", where you give your body |
| But, not all the bad I hear is about medicine or | | | | time to resolve a potential problem on its own |
| medical doctors. Sometimes it's something like "I | | | | without aggressive treatment. |
| went to one of you guys once. And, I know the | | | | * OOPS! - Sometimes, health care providers |
| adjustments helped. But, the guy ran up a huge bill | | | | make mistakes. Unfortunately, too many times |
| and then quit seeing me when the insurance | | | | the problem is covered to prevent lawsuits or |
| payments stopped" or "I just don't think I can | | | | unwanted exposure. Possible solution: I heard |
| afford it right now. My insurance doesn't cover it." | | | | someone say once, "Sunlight is the best antibiotic". |
| I'm an advocate of allowing the free market to | | | | It's best to simply tell the truth. The cover-up will |
| resolve the problems with health care. However, | | | | always cause more problems than the problem |
| the free market is not allowed to express itself | | | | being covered up. |
| fully in the business of health care in America. | | | | * Just too expensive - Because of third party |
| Here are some specific problems I have with the | | | | reimbursement, health care in America hassimply |
| business of healthcare and some different ways | | | | gotten too expensive. Possible solution: Providers |
| of dealing with them: | | | | should be allowed to compete on a variety of |
| * The Money Grub - There's a practice called | | | | different levels, including price, form of payment, |
| "exhaustion of benefits" in the healthcare business | | | | type of service provided, etc. |
| that spans every specialty. The provider asks for | | | | Because the economics of healthcare are |
| your insurance card to verify benefits. Not | | | | distorted by Government controls and |
| surprisingly, their recommendations for care tend | | | | intervention, as well as third party reimbursement, |
| to coincide with what your insurance carrier says | | | | the free market is not allowed to properly |
| they'll pay. Possible solution: Verify your own | | | | regulate the business. As a result, doctors, |
| benefits and get your provider's recommendation | | | | hospitals and drug makers have an extra duty to |
| BEFORE verifying coverage OR see what their | | | | "do no harm" to those who must rely on their |
| recommendations are if you paid cash at the time | | | | relative power in the marketplace. The Internet |
| you received the service. | | | | now makes information too easily available to |
| * Fear-mongering - This is where you're told "You | | | | continue the imbalance of power between patient |
| MUST have this procedure or take this drug or | | | | and provider. |
| you'll die!" This is using pure power on the doctor's | | | | I urge healthcare providers to always do the right |
| part and the patient's ignorance to almost force | | | | thing. Make sure your patients are fully informed |
| them to do what the doctor tells them. Possible | | | | and involved in their care. Give them exceptional |
| solution: Patient's deserve to be told the truth in | | | | value. Empower them to make better choices. As |
| rational, unemotional terms what their specific | | | | for patients and the public at large, take charge of |
| problem is and what the doctor's | | | | your health and your life. Inform yourself of your |
| recommendations are. | | | | alternatives. Ask questions. And continue asking |
| * (Not so) Full disclosure - There's a tendency in | | | | until you're satisfied that you've gotten the right |
| health care to tell folks to "Sign these forms so | | | | information and ALL the information you need to |
| we can get started". You have a right to know | | | | make fully informed choices regarding your own |
| exactly what the doctor has found, what his/her | | | | health. After all, it IS your responsibility. |
| recommendations are, what the risks of those | | | | |