Why Doctors Need To Redefine Their Mission

[tex]

Hi All,

It appears that doctors and the medical establishment in general (especially including the insurance companies) are in desperate need of reassessing their methods and their goals. Otherwise they are going to be left out of a rapidly-growing trend toward prevention, rather than treatment after the fact.

ZURICH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to findings from an online survey of 1,200 people living in New York City, Munich and New Delhi, most would readily trade premium medical care for access to healthier living options, such as more nutritious food, health education, exercise and innovative healthcare technologies, and say that they are willing to pay for improved health and well-being—underpinning an important shift in mindset away from health ‘care’ and toward ‘prevention’ that is hastening demand for salutary products and services and creating significant business opportunities around the world

New Bain & Company Survey Finds ‘Health is the New Wealth;’ Consumers Increasingly Health-Obsessed, Preferring Health ‘Prevention’ over Health ‘Care’ and Showing Willingness to Spend for It

Tex

[Deb]

Deb

[DJ]

Medicaid Managed Care is the new kid in town. Providers will be paid for efficiency and positive outcomes. The problem is that our country goes through the costly process of setting up new systems and processes and providers suffer the growing pains of compliance then providers and consumers find ways to abuse the system. When folks abuse the system, it's time to clamp down. Once we clamp down, innocent people are denied services. Then it's time to find ANOTHER process. I'm tired just thinking about it

[Leah]

Until most people stop eating all the processed, sugar laden, GMO , and hormone ingested foods, we will not be able to prevent most illnesses.

Leah

[Polly]

Yes, Tex!!!!!

I couldn't agree more. And thanks to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), we will finally be seeing a major shift in this country toward prevention. Check this out:

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1008560

(The NEJM is probably the journal most respected by docs in the U.S.).

Polly

[JFR]

It's hard to be against prevention but I have serious doubts about the ability of the medical profession to dole out helpful nutritional advice.

Jean

[wmonique2]

Tex,

Long overdue.

Great article Polly. Thanks for posting. Obama did for healthcare what FDR did for social security and the poor. He vowed that no American should go hungry because they are old or poor. And there is no nobler cause.

And a personal note: during the last 3 years I went to a community clinic because I had no insurance. I was astounded about the care they gave me. They made sure that I got all my tests and shots: colorectal, pneumonia, flu, hepatitis, A1c, complete blood count every 3 months, free insulin etc...I have to say that I got the best care I EVER had without paying the exorbitant fees my doctors want. All of it was preventive. I liked them so much that now that I do have insurance, I am remaining with them.

Monique

[tex]

Jean,

I would assume that some new training courses will be set up for physicians, and there may be some changes in med school courses. Doctors might opt to keep a full time nutritionist or dietitian on staff, and link appointments so that patients would have an opportunity to consult with them during regular doctor appointments.

Of course, I see your point — if that advice is based on the misinformation that has traditionally been promoted (whole grains, high fiber, no red meat or animal fats, etc.), it will be worse than useless. But hopefully, one of these days their ducks may accidentally wander into a row formation.


Polly,

Thanks for the link. My doctor probably hasn't read that yet. At my last appointment, during a follow-up on a CBC, he checked my breathing, and other than a nurse checking my temperature, BP, and heart rate, that was it.

Tex

[DJ]

Yes, prevention is an excellent focus. My son and his family have a "grandfathered" insurance plan that does not cover physicals or any routine care So upsetting.