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How Changes to the Health Care System Affects You
By Nikki and Anne Heart ♥ August 8, 2024
*Although we wrote this post together, we have chosen to present the following through Mom’s eyes.
What ever happened to the neighbor doctor who knew you and your family?
The doctor’s office you called and spoke directly with someone in the office you have known for years?
A phone number you called to schedule an appointment that day if you were sick and needed to see a medical professional, but not sick enough to go to the emergency room?
These are questions I keep asking over and over again. And I am sure many others ask the same questions.
Changes to the health care system
It seems like the health care system changed overnight.
- When urgent care facilities became the norm for health care
- When a physician assistant started taking the lead role in a patients care rather than a licensed medical doctor
- When the health care professional started heading towards the office door after a couple of minutes with the patient
- When you have to wait months for an appointment for the health care provider to speak with you hopefully more than a couple of minutes
Obviously, these changes didn’t happen overnight.
Changes of course have been made due to insurance companies. Also, requirements to be on the “Top Doctor List” can also be a factor.
Regardless of why these changes have taken place, the concern should be the health care currently being provided.
Is the patient being looked at on a individual basis?
Does the health care provider take the time to treat patients as individuals?
Let’s take a look.
A closer look at the health care system through our journey
Recently, my daughter had a severe outbreak of eczema on both arms. Because of her extreme sensitivities, she tried applying over-the-counter children’s creams but had little relief.
After waiting several weeks for an appointment with a dermatologist on Long Island, the doctor informed my daughter the only treatment she can prescribe was a strong steroid cream. However, due to my daughter’s sensitivities, the dermatologist didn’t feel comfortable to prescribe it.
As the dermatologist quickly started to leave the room, we asked again what my daughter could do to relieve the pain. The advice she gave was to see another dermatologist in New York City.
My daughter did indeed make an appointment with a New York City dermatologist.
Unfortunately, it was another two months for this appointment, two hours of travel time and about a hundred dollars in travel expenses.
Fortunately, once at the appointment, we both felt it was worth it. The doctor listened to my daughter and asked pertinent questions. Told her she had many options for treatment, but she would start by prescribing a mild corticosteroids ointment which should work. She also spoke about a follow up plan.
Applying the cream the next day, my daughter experienced little adverse effects and felt relief almost instantly.
Noting here, the ointment prescribed was FDA approved since 1997.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
- The corticosteroid ointment prescribed was FDA approved since 1997, and not new to the market.
- Why was it necessary to wait for another appointment and travel to the city for treatment that was obviously available?
What can we do about unwanted change in the health care system
There are many stories of people going through the same experience as my daughter. In fact, my daughter has experienced this multiple times previously, and I have numerous times myself.
So, what can we do to get better health care.
In general, there are limitations on how we can change the system.
But what we have the power to do is:
- Walk away from inadequate treatment
- Don’t accept treatment by a non-qualified health care provider
- Ask questions about your treatment
- Get a second or even third opinion
- Be persistent regarding your symptoms
- Vocalize how your medical treatment is going
- Never accept an opinion on treatment if you feel it is the wrong one for you
- Go prepared to your medical appointment with questions
- Do some research, if possible, before your appointment regarding possible treatment plans
- If you cannot research, ask questions about all your treatment options
- Get all the answers to your questions at your appointment
- Be aware that you may not get all the answers
- If need be, call and ask additional questions
Remember, never give up.
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Note: All information in “Nikki’s Story and Mom’s Story” are based on detail journals covering seven years of Nikki’s life on prescription drugs.
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