As you know only too well, this is typical of most interactions with US healthcare - the feeling that you're getting pulled through ... something on a conveyor belt (my metaphor is a car wash), spit out the other end with little, or no, information yielded about what just happened. Occasionally with a largely unhelpful printout "visit summary" (if you're lucky), but paperwork is usually just an emailed receipt for your copay.
We can, and should, do better. In the 2+ decades that I've been paying close attention to the American healthcare system, that's been a universal call to action that hasn't delivered much in the way of actual *action*. Mostly just a repeating chorus of "this could be so much better."
Cui bono?
Complexity preserves system autonomy, and therefore system revenue. Innovating somebody out of their piece of the pie isn't a great way to get them to support change. Hedge funds/private equity taking over chunks of the healthcare industrial complex has been a feature of the last decade or so in the US system. That's not a great signal for end users of that system, either patients or front-line clinical folks.
Thanks for coming to my TED talk 🤣 - fixing this thorny set of problems is gonna take political will and focused determination. Not sure enough people with power/money GAF about this to the level they can actually drive change. Status quo serves up too much shareholder value 🙄
And to one of your biggest points, what can we do to drive more action for change? I love how Dr. Patty Gabow always drove us to look at the inefficiencies as one way to bring about change in health care e.g. https://www.wbur.org/news/2010/10/29/health-costs
But yes, we need major political will as we are up against a giant who is less than willing to change (and has little incentive to).
It's amazing how brazenly the system supports industry. Your experience was terrible and also the new normal. Patients are an input, and many providers behave like AI chatbots. The little bright spots of humanity keep me hopeful, but it is an enormous machine... I always enjoy your reflections!
Thank you for the comment and encouragement! A mentor once always taught me that the moment we prioritize transactions over relationships we are doomed in health care. My hope is found in the next generation who will push for the relational aspects to be front and center.
I guess if you want same day service you have to go to the ER. Then you only have one co-pay, but your insure will have a $15,000 bill. Is this another example of misaligned incentives (by design)?
As you know only too well, this is typical of most interactions with US healthcare - the feeling that you're getting pulled through ... something on a conveyor belt (my metaphor is a car wash), spit out the other end with little, or no, information yielded about what just happened. Occasionally with a largely unhelpful printout "visit summary" (if you're lucky), but paperwork is usually just an emailed receipt for your copay.
We can, and should, do better. In the 2+ decades that I've been paying close attention to the American healthcare system, that's been a universal call to action that hasn't delivered much in the way of actual *action*. Mostly just a repeating chorus of "this could be so much better."
Cui bono?
Complexity preserves system autonomy, and therefore system revenue. Innovating somebody out of their piece of the pie isn't a great way to get them to support change. Hedge funds/private equity taking over chunks of the healthcare industrial complex has been a feature of the last decade or so in the US system. That's not a great signal for end users of that system, either patients or front-line clinical folks.
Thanks for coming to my TED talk 🤣 - fixing this thorny set of problems is gonna take political will and focused determination. Not sure enough people with power/money GAF about this to the level they can actually drive change. Status quo serves up too much shareholder value 🙄
Casey, you give the best Ted Talks!
And to one of your biggest points, what can we do to drive more action for change? I love how Dr. Patty Gabow always drove us to look at the inefficiencies as one way to bring about change in health care e.g. https://www.wbur.org/news/2010/10/29/health-costs
But yes, we need major political will as we are up against a giant who is less than willing to change (and has little incentive to).
Certainly wishing you the best in your recovery!
It's amazing how brazenly the system supports industry. Your experience was terrible and also the new normal. Patients are an input, and many providers behave like AI chatbots. The little bright spots of humanity keep me hopeful, but it is an enormous machine... I always enjoy your reflections!
Thank you for the comment and encouragement! A mentor once always taught me that the moment we prioritize transactions over relationships we are doomed in health care. My hope is found in the next generation who will push for the relational aspects to be front and center.
I guess if you want same day service you have to go to the ER. Then you only have one co-pay, but your insure will have a $15,000 bill. Is this another example of misaligned incentives (by design)?
Exactly! We get exactly what we get based on the design.