I recently viewed the documentary "Sicko" by left-winged Michael Moore. Many feel this movie is unfair, biased and lacks a lot of beneficial facts about the health care system in America. However, I felt it truly represented what a lot of middle to low class families experience every day with their medical bills and hospital visits: frustration and overwhelming sadness. Much needs to be done to reform our health care system, including push from our new president. However, as much as President Obama wants to see new proposals and change in our system, he said that most of the legislation and ideas will need to come from Congress.
But what can be done within the health care workforce? For one, those that currently work in health care, and those, like myself, and many of my peers are going to school for right now, need to maintain an open mind about a health care overhaul that needs to take place immediately. A proposal that most likely will be introduced is that workers in the health care system may need to take a pay cut in order to accomodate all of those who need care, yet keep the care at a high quality rate. This is a small price to pay so that people can receive equal health care around the clock and not have to worry about going bankrupt. This is also something that can happen while still being able to use the great technology that our country has. However, if you examine the current programs in countries such as Canada, Switzerland, Great Britain and Germany, the U.S. clearly does not need the latest and greatest technology right away.
Another thing that workers can do is model after the British in preventive medicine and care. As documnted in the PBS Frontline special, "Sick Around the World," Great Britain is leading the world in preventive care. Not only would an increase in this kind of care reduce hospital visits and cost for medications, but it would allow workers to build better relationships with the patients. By thoroughly communicating with patients about proper hygiene, safe sex and drug use, dental care, and other daily health activities, workers will be doing their job, and not feel the consequences of overcrowded clinics and hospitals. This will ultimately result is less stress, overtime hours and worker and patient dissatisfaction.
Citations:
Reinhardt, Uwe E. Defining ‘Health Care Reform’. 27 March 2009. Economix Blog. The New York Times. Retrieved online 30 March 2009. <http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/defining-health-care-reform/>.
Moore, Michael. Sicko. Dog Eat Dog Films. 2007. Retrieved online 30 March 2009. <http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=6646340600856118396&ei=-ybRSdfeJ5DQ-AGZ1J2SAg&q=sicko>.
Sick Around the World. Frontline. 15 April 2008. PBS. Retrieved online 30 March 2009. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/video/flv/generic.html?s=frol02p101&continuous=1>.
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I agree. I think a lot of health care workers including doctors are stuck in their ways and are not open to changes in the system. If they would give they changes a try they may see that they like the way things could be.
ReplyDeleteIt is tough to understand how the health force would take a pay cut because many of them are putting in long hours that they would probable feel they are being under paid for the work they do. On the other hand many specialist are being over paid for their services. If there was a way to charge (tax more) the people having unnecessary sugeries, such as plastic surgery, that money could go to programs to serve those that need basic madical attention. It wouldn't be the cure to health system problems, but I think every little bit can help.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that we need to follow steps other countries have taken in order to make our health care system better. I cannot believe that the richest country in the world has people going without health insurance, or health insurance companies dropping people because they pose too much of a threat for losses to that company. It is, however, hard to understand how a paycut will affect the quality of care given to patients.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned watching the movie Sicko. Do you think extremist views like this are helpful to the cause, or just make people like Michael Moore seem too crazy to listen to?! I know there are many people that don't believe a word he says!
ReplyDeleteI agree that more of an emphasis on public health, and prevention is a step in the right direction. It is a really valid point and an often overlooked point in our system. I'm not sure how I feel about the physician and technology point though. We have long been known as leaders in a technological aspect of healthcare, and I believe we should try to stay that way. More than this, I believe that with reform in other areas (i.g. health insurance) we can do so while still cutting costs.
ReplyDeleteI also have to wonder if extreme left wing views like those of Michael Moore are helpful or are they just a sort of scare tactic for people who are not in the loop on what is going on with healthcare in the united states.
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