Healthcare: Are You Satisfied?

 I've been thinking about the healthcare system lately, and to sum it up in a word, I feel it is inadequate.  Not because we don't have highly trained doctors, most of whom care about their patients, but because of the system.  Patients experience long wait times to even get in to see a doctor, short office visits (10-12 minutes is what they schedule), and often time much of that time is not with the doctor, but a nurse or technician.  Our system prioritizes efficiency, not care.  There is a heavy reliance on checklists and protocols.  

Most healthcare in the U.S. is for profit.  This means that the goal is to make money.  Most doctors are great at ordering tests and medications, yet lack the required time, continuity and personalization needed to help many patients.  

Here's an example from my life.  I have significant arthritis in my lower back, causing me extreme pain.  I had this six years ago, was treated with 2 epidural injections, and felt great for many years.  Now, the pain is back and worse than ever.  In order to get the epidural injections, I must first have several weeks of P.T., when that doesn't help, have an MRI, then I can see the doctor.  All that takes weeks, weeks that I am suffering!  I finally see the doctor and miraculously I only have to wait a few days for the injection.  Then, I wait two weeks to see results.  If the results aren't good, you schedule another shot, which is just what I did.  Luckily, the results have been better.

After each injection, I had a Zoom follow up with my doctor.  She asked how I was feeling, and told me that if the next injection didn't work, I should consider surgery.  The Zoom appointment was less than 5 minutes.  No other alternatives, or lifestyle changes were suggested.  

Aging patients are often the most harmed by the weaknesses of modern healthcare, not because their needs are extreme, but because the system is poorly designed for complex, slow-moving, interconnected problems.

Seniors usually have more than one problem at a time, which means going to multiple specialists, often getting conflicting information.  Seniors may take numerous medications, and reviewing them can take time, time the doctor does not have.  Doctors often minimize the complaints of seniors, saying things like "Let's just watch it,"  or  "That's normal for your age.

There are numerous other factors that affect the healthcare that seniors receive.  Our system is designed to treat disease, manage emergencies and follow protocols.  Aging patients need systems that manage complexity, preserve function, protect dignity and prioritize quality of life.  That mismatch is why care so often feels inadequate.