Health Care

[coppertop]

A discussion yesterday with a neighbour is the basis for this post. Her husband has had back problems, went to his local doctor who ordered tests. He then was referred to a specialist who ordered the same tests plus a Cat Scan. He had those, went to yet another specialist who ordered the same tests and another Cat Scan, now he is seeing another specialist in two weeks and will likely need more tests.

I am not criticizing the medical profession for requiring adequate tests be done before they make a diagnosis on a patient, however, it seems that there must be a mechanism in place to ensure that tests are not repeated over and over. Doing this only slows down the process for the patient, requires a lot of travelling, which in itself, poses a hardship for many folks, and also drives up the cost of health care.


Comments please.

[wilagro]

Have a neighbour with heart problems. He is getting the same run-around as you describe. Now his heartbeat is down to 35 bpm and he is starting to go into panic mode. They tell him that he will "just have to wait".

He has been to three different "specialists" and he believes that the problem will soon go away when they pack him off to the cemetary.

[perfecho]

Sounds like a great money maker for the private sector....be a doc under the public system, but be a shareholder in the testing/cat Scan clinic! Actually, although I believe in free enterprise, (not monopoly enterprise) it would be a situation like this that worries me, and until our governments can get a handle on such situations, I have a hard time support the push. Please make sure the people involved contact their MLA and even send a quick message to "Steady Eddie."

[coppertop]

One of the biggest mistakes, in my opinion was the formation of the Regional Health Authorities. It added a huge layer of beaurocracy to the system, and a vast portion of their budgets go to administration and boards vs health care professionals on the ground.

I have sent a letter to the Honorable Dave Hancock, Minister of Health indicating my concerns with the duplication of testing, and the run around that people get when waiting for care for sometimes life threatening situations. In the case of my neighbour, he has a huge tumor on a kidney and as of yet has not even seen a specialist that will tell him what they intend to do. He started this process the first part of February, and he won't see another specialist for two weeks. He has already driven to three communities, each a couple of hours from his home, and will no doubt have more travelling over the next few weeks as each specialist sends him to yet another, or to a lab in another community.

It is extremely difficult and stressful for older folks or those who are very ill, when they are required to travel a long distance for doctors visits, tests etc. I guess I should be grateful that I am healthy, and the worst thing I have to generate stress is calving and mud !!

[cowdog]

did it occur to you that a medical condition such as a back problem or a heart condition may progress over time and that observing these progressions is a useful diagnostic tool. In other word those tests and the c-scan that was repeated by each doctor are used to observe chages in the condition and will be use to access treatment that ismost appropreate.

[coppertop]

That may very well be true, but many of the tests are blood tests and X-rays, ordered in a six week period by several different doctors in several communities. Information sharing by the medical community should be fairly simple given the technology available.
My family doctor has told me of instances where patients have waited for appointments, gone for tests, only to have the test results misplaced or lost, and then have to go through the process again two months down the road. Each time this happens people wait for appointments with specialists, etc.

Remember, that most of the time the first appointment with a specialist is only the beginning of a lengthy process. My main concern is that delays, repeated testing, is not helping with a cure, and if the condition happens to be one where time is of the essence, it certainly isn't doing the patient much good.

[perfecho]

If I remember correctly, did not Ralph’s Regime initiate a linked computer system that was meant to be accessible to different docs for exactly this reason. I personally do believe the Health Regions are almost in competition with each other , as to who is most powerful, most needed, ego’s getting in the way, etc. Certainly would be much more beneficial if we could be in a “what is best for our patrons” model instead.
Good job on getting a letter off to Hancock on the issue!

[coppertop]

There is supposed to be computer links for transfer of patient information, within the health regions similar to pharmacies etc.

I do think that Hancock is a good Minister of Health, and he will do his best to bring more effiencies into the system.

[rook]

Article Monday morning in National Post about a private clinic set up in Vancouver. Don't want to wait 6-8 hours at emergency to get a broken bone set? Don't want to wait months for back surgery? If you can't afford a lump sum, they offer a payment plan. The public health care system will be broken until the simple laws of economics are followed: when the price is free, demand is unlimited.

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=2e3ff3d2-9130-45ab-b34a-55eb5c35ff3d

[coppertop]

rook, I tend to agree, however, there are those who cannot afford to pay, and I would never want to see those folks have to accept second class health care.

Having said that, I know people who spend their entire waking life going to one doctor, it's really their social life !!

I choose the alternative health care route most of the time and I pay for that out of my own pocket.

[rook]

I don't pretend to know the answers, but I do think the system is broken. Every year, its budget increases exceed government revenue increases. That is not sustainable and one day something will have to change. I've been blessed with good health thus far, so the system works for me.

I do not want anyone to be refused health care based on ability to pay, but one could argue we already have a two-tier system: public system up here, and the Mayo Clinic and others across the line, or in India, or in China, etc.

[coppertop]

There is always the opion of going out of the province for health care services for those who can afford it. That option has been there for years.

[cropduster]

Coppertop.....you got some better drugs than most?....maybe it`s your glasses?....Statements like not having underprivleged people getting the "best" healthcare indicate your condition to me!!If we`ve got the BEST why all the bitching here???A lot of the modern diagnostic machinery is on a quota(time allotment).It could be used more if you wanted to be taxed more OR if people wanted to pay for it privately.You should reassess your position!

[coppertop]

cropduster, I do not have a clue what in hell you are ranting about.
My opening comments were questioning why the repitition of tests are required within a very short time, when all it seems to be doing is delaying the diagnosis and possible treatment for the individual in question.

I have always said that if people wish to pay for enhanced services out of the province that should be their right, but I would never want to see those who cannot afford such things be given second class health care at home. Now, your comment about drugs is certainly not called for and it would be very enlightening if you could explain the intent behind the comment.

[cropduster]

You are right about one thing CP We DEFINETLY ARE NOT COMMUNICATING!!I am trying to talk about health care as the thread title states.You are trying to solve individual cases.I believe doctors are more qualified than most.Diagnostic machinery in this province is not being utilized to it`s fullest.It could be staffed and run 24/7.I don`t believe that schedule should be kept with taxpayers dollars.After the allowed QUOTA of time has been met why can`t people pay for private care???Some is going on but not to an extent that relieves the system crowding.