Dr. Fogoros, a cardiologist, has written a great article describing why the medical system behaves the way it does and more importantly how to best protect yourself from the system.
Here are some of the highlights from his article:
“The fundamental issue with American health care is the rationing problem. This is not a problem of whether to ration - we don't have any choice about that, since we simply can't buy all the health care that might be useful for every individual - but how to do it. And since rationing health care is politically unfeasible (despite the fact that we don't have any choice about it), there is only one answer to the "how" problem: we've got to ration covertly.
Covert rationing means rationing (that is, withholding care) without mentioning it to anybody. And the only way to accomplish that is to have the doctors do it, quietly and whenever possible, subconsciously, at the bedside. Covert rationing requires that doctors, when making decisions about what tests to order and what care to give, must take into account something other than what's best for the individual patient sitting before them. That "something other" might be any of a multitude of factors, such as the regulations promulgated by the feds, personal financial incentives promulgated by health plans, interpreting scientific data with a certain slanted viewpoint, or peer pressure to behave in a certain way for the good of the profession or the specialty or the practice (i.e., protecting turf.) The point being that covert rationing - which, like it or not our society has fully embraced - requires, as a fundamental tenet, the systematic destruction of the doctor-patient relationship.
[This destruction of the doctor-patient relationship] explains all the seemingly bizarre behavior we see taking place every day in the American health care system. While you may be lucky enough to find a doctor who is adept at "gaming" the system, or who will take personal risks to get you what you need, you certainly can't count on that. Especially when you are dealing with a potentially life threatening disorder. You can no longer assume that whatever needs to be done will be done. You can't be passive. You've got to take responsibility for and control over your own health care.”
For the full article see:
Why the Health Care System Behaves the Way It Does
Managing Your Doctor
Managing Your Health Plan
Managing Your Own Health
Welcome
I have suffered from autoimmune disease since the age of 17 and I have several relatives who are also fighting autoimmune diseases. I have been diagnosed with Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH), Lupus, and the Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS). Family members have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dermatomyositis, Grave’s, Hashimoto’s, Vitiligo, and Type I Diabetes.
In the search for my diagnosis, I have seen doctors in six states, from every medical specialty, seven of whom were Rheumatologists. I had an extremely difficult time finding a doctor to take my symptoms seriously because most of my blood work was normal and I did not look sick. I have a Master’s degree in Aerospace engineering and solve puzzles for a living as a systems analyst. I resorted to reading medical journal articles to try to put my own pieces together when the doctors were finished looking. I ended up being a very complicated case and had the unfortunate luck to end up with the rarest and oddest of symptoms, as if all autoimmune symptoms aren’t bizarre enough! It took me 13 years to finally find a doctor who understood my body.
As a result of my search for a diagnosis, I’ve learned a lot about the immune system, doctors, and the medical system. I’ve been asked by numerous people who have heard my story how did I find out certain facts, or how did I find a certain doctor because they also have a friend who the doctors don’t seem to be able to help? Over time, I’ll post all the knowledge I’ve gained over the years, to give someone else having troubles obtaining that elusive diagnosis some other options to consider when you hit a brick wall.
Email: autoimmunediagnosis@gmail.com
In the search for my diagnosis, I have seen doctors in six states, from every medical specialty, seven of whom were Rheumatologists. I had an extremely difficult time finding a doctor to take my symptoms seriously because most of my blood work was normal and I did not look sick. I have a Master’s degree in Aerospace engineering and solve puzzles for a living as a systems analyst. I resorted to reading medical journal articles to try to put my own pieces together when the doctors were finished looking. I ended up being a very complicated case and had the unfortunate luck to end up with the rarest and oddest of symptoms, as if all autoimmune symptoms aren’t bizarre enough! It took me 13 years to finally find a doctor who understood my body.
As a result of my search for a diagnosis, I’ve learned a lot about the immune system, doctors, and the medical system. I’ve been asked by numerous people who have heard my story how did I find out certain facts, or how did I find a certain doctor because they also have a friend who the doctors don’t seem to be able to help? Over time, I’ll post all the knowledge I’ve gained over the years, to give someone else having troubles obtaining that elusive diagnosis some other options to consider when you hit a brick wall.
Email: autoimmunediagnosis@gmail.com
Medical Disclaimer
This website is for informational purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained herein with other sources. Patients should review the information with their professional health care provider. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by physicians. Remember I’m a rocket scientist not a doctor.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
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