Originally Posted by
GeorgeBMac
As a travelling nurse I saw that all too frequently and it is often a manifestation of our fragmented health care system: a person with diabetes often has multiple issues (heart, BP, cholesterol, kidney, etc...) and sees multiple physicians and/or is in and out of the hospital. And, every time she sees a physician she complains of something else and so he prescribes yet another pill...
Actually, the worst culprit were the hospitals: the patient would come out of there with new or changed meds that their family physician knew nothing about and would not have prescribed.
A big part of my job was coordinating all those different physicians and their treatments; The conversation went something like:
"Hey, Dr. X, I'm a nurse working with this patient: Dr Y (or hospital Y) prescribed this and this and this. Do want her taking this stuff?" The answer was almost always: "Hell No!".
My patients were fortunate to have a nurse who knew the conditions and the treatments.
Otherwise they would have to do that by themselves and most people either don't have the inclination or assume: "the doctor always knows what's right"...
Healthcare needs to be a partnership. People need to watch out for their own medical care just as they would their house when they have multiple contractors coming in and out of it... But, the typical patient just doesn't have the knowledge to challenge the physician. So that is why the best physicians welcome a knowledgeable patient who participates in his own health care and asks questions. It makes his job a lot easier and it makes your life a lot better and longer...
Most physicians WANT you to be healthy. But they know they can't do it alone. They do their best work when they have an interested, involved partner in your health -- not just a passive pill-taker... (And, if your physician wants you to be just a passive pill-taker, I would recommend finding another physician).
From experience with different hospitals and medical providers in multiple states and being in a position to hear them talk informally I can not diagree with you more. The current medical system is designed to put the patient at a significant disadvantage. Most doctors I have encountered do not want patients to be fully responsible. Oh they say they do. They have reams of paperwork saying they do. But, all that is set up in such a way the lay patient has no way of actually understanding what is being presented, let alone make a meaningful contribution. I guess what the head nurse of one section of a hospital told me is actually true: "We don't get paid for treating patients. We get paid for what the patients bring to us. If we could just eliminate the patients we'd be much happier. Patients are such a pain". Lest you think she is unique; my experience indicates she is not.
In the past few years I've acted as my own advocate and for others. Finding a medical professional who is actually interested enough in the patient rather than the money the patient brings is extremely rare. I've found some pretty good mechanics. The neurosurgeon who worked on me was outstanding. But, he was the exception. And then, I'm not sure that everyone got the same treatment. He and I are similar personality and intellectual types so things were obviously a bit difference. To sidetrack: At one hospital when I asked to speak to the attending I was told: "I'll see if the doctor wants to talk to you. She normally doesn't speak to others." When I informed them I was the HIPPA designee they complied, but it was obvious it was being doing under duress. Why all this? Fact is the medical industry is just that, an industry. It clearly knows who it customers are. They are not the patients. The customers are the insurance company or government agency that sets the standards and pays the bills.
Mix this with the over specialization that is currently the fad and asking a sick person to find the energy and skill to wend their way through and find good treatment is asking too much.
That doctors are heavily focused on income is illustrated by all the non-prescription health supplements now on sale in their offices while their union simultaneously lobbies for their elimination by regulation.
If you find a competent, patient oriented health professional do not tell anyone else. Hoard the knowledge because you have found gold.