Lost in the Healthcare System

Patients are increasingly getting lost in the healthcare system. Stories abound concerning patients who struggled to get a correct diagnosis and/or fought for the treatment they needed. While the healthcare system exists for the benefit of patients, all too often they are dehumanized and used for corporate or governmental agendas.

Many point the finger at doctors who many say don’t listen to them. While I am sure there are plenty of doctors around that have lost their interest in patients,  most truly do care but are being turned into cogs of the system. Current estimates put doctors remaining in private practice around 30%. The vast majority work as employees of others. Office policies, therefore, are not being decided by individual physicians but rather executives. And executives often are driven by the bottom line and productivity. So, while the doctor may want to do the best by their patients, outside forces are driving them to increase revenue. Increased revenue is not generated by improved clinical outcomes but by seeing more patients and doing more procedures.  Doctors often possess no say in practice flow. Patients just keep coming at them and they need to keep pace.  If they speak up, they are labeled disruptive and this can greatly affect their careers. Still, this is no excuse for not listening to patients.

Many of the patients who have told me their stories often feel that doctors are not hearing them. Some were treated by several doctors in the quest to reach a diagnosis. No patient should feel that they own no voice in their own healthcare. Doctors must do a better job of listening, and the system needs to allow this.

Patients often find it difficult to find advocates for them. How often does the doctor prescribe a medication that is not covered by their insurance? Many times the doctor will try to get approval but many times the doctor will just give up and prescribe an alternative medication instead of the one they feel best for the patient. It is not because they don’t care. Rather, they tried so many times in the past and failed to get the authorization that they no longer hope for success. The system is destroying diversity of medication choices for treating diseases.

Patients also get lost in the system when they need diagnostic tests performed. Many tests and procedures these days require prior-authorization, or approval from the insurance company before it is done. Often, these tests get denied and the patient is left in diagnostic limbo. The patient is suffering from some symptoms and does not know what is wrong with them. They are hoping for answers from the healthcare system. Instead of answers, they are left to continue their suffering when the test gets denied and now they are frustrated because they will get no answers.

It is unacceptable for patients to be lost in the system. They are scared and alone.  The system needs to do better. We need to force the system to focus again on patient care and re-humanize patients.

Note: if anyone wants to tell their story of how they were lost in the system, please contact me.

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2016 Linda Girgis, MD, FAAFP