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This blog is another opportunity to feel grateful. Thank you, Universe, for continuing to bless me with recovery and health.
How awesome, if I visited my doctor even otherwise on a casual note instead of only when ill.
This blog post explores how rewarding doctors for shifting from a doctor to a patient-centric approach can significantly help our society’s well-being.
The current economic model in the healthcare industry is centered on treating illnesses rather than preventing them. Unfortunately, this system generates more revenue when patients are sicker.
A transformation can help the medical system that focuses on a proactive doctor-patient relationship:
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Doctors can insist on guiding patients toward better health choices.
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Patients can be encouraged to make informed decisions and adopt healthier lifestyles.
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Doctors and patients can also agree on preventive measures inviting long-term wellness.
The Current Economic Model
The current economy in healthcare is focused on treating illnesses rather than preventing them. It generates higher financial interest to keep the patient engaged with tests, medicines, and treatments.
It raises unanswered questions about the ethics and sustainability of this system!!
There are many healthcare systems where the traditional fee-for-service model is prevalent. It tends to reward healthcare providers based on the quantity instead of quality of care.
Isn’t it high time? Isn’t there a growing need for a change in this attitude toward value-based care?
The economics of the healthcare industry are complex and demand changes for a healthier society.
My Experience with the Traditional Fee-for-Service (FFS) Model
There are several reasons why it’s scary to be addressed as ‘rare’.
In 2016, I was diagnosed with a rare disease called Isaacs’ Syndrome. Isaacs’ is a neuromuscular health condition that stems from muscle hyperactivity. In the process, I also discovered that I had Lyme disease. Lyme is a bacterial illness that gets transmitted through ticks.
Glaucoma also accompanied me. Glaucoma is an eye-related disease that damages the optic nerves. And Membranous Glomerulonephritis is a progressive kidney disease. I faced tremendous issues with my gut, stomach acid, and digestive enzymes. During my journey, I also developed Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Diabetes, Frozen Shoulder, Eczema and Blood Pressure.
During a hospital visit, my father recollected days when there was only one family doctor called Vaidya. It is a term used for a senior practitioner of medicine. He was trained to take care of all their medical needs. A Vaidya only recommended medicines if required.
Common infections were accepted as a part of life. They were treated through herbal remedies. Most of the tailoring was done by doctors based on their skill sets, intuition, and experience.
I wish there was a world that encouraged doctors to keep their patients healthier. A society where prescriptions had solutions to prevent diseases, improve them, and not only manage health.
Today, where do patients like me stand, who are looking to trust the medical system?
Typically, the life of a rare disease patient starts way before the actual diagnosis, and I was no different. The pre-and post-diagnosis journey was incredibly challenging.
To begin with, I experienced a set of alien symptoms without knowing the underlying cause. I popped open Google to search for the symptoms and the underlying cause, but the results were scary. Also, my health conditions hardly gave me time to think as it deteriorated in a jiffy. Hence, I was left with no options except to seek professional help.
Finding a specialist who knew about my specific rare symptoms was quite a challenge. Therefore, initially, I consulted many healthcare providers.
I had insurance coverage under the FFS model. It meant that each service would be billed separately. In ground reality, I faced several practical problems with this model.
The surprising truth about the silent treatments!!
Today, I raise my voice against these unethical practices while many patients still struggle:
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To begin with, I had rare and chronic diseases. It was customary to pay a visit to different doctors with their set of specialties. The lack of coordination between them resulted in inefficiencies and unnecessary expenses.
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I am sorry to say that almost all my doctors were concerned about their services rather than my health outcome. They were encouraged to perform more tests and treatments.
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My doctors were tempted to travel the road that led to high-cost treatments. They refrained from recommending holistic treatment.
I was surprised to discover that no preventive measures were taken while prescribing medicines as a result, I also developed Diabetes and BP.
A lack of a one-stop destination for my problems only ended up increasing complications.
Need for Change
It is crucial to reevaluate the economics of the healthcare industry.
I feel, instead of focusing solely on expensive treatments, we should recognize the actual need for a patient’s well-being:
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I needed more information about my treatment options, potential risks, and costs. I and my family would have felt more empowered while making crucial decisions.
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Patients like me lacked a basic understanding of my disease. We expected more information as a part of ethics, and cost-conscious care.
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Many a time I was discouraged to seek a second opinion. I feel it could have ensured more trust and a part of informed choice.
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Encourage regular check-ups and lifestyle changes that prevent diseases. Preventive measures can help ailments before they escalate.
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It is important to recognize and extend beyond treating only symptoms. A holistic approach can lead to better health outcomes.
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Taking help from technological advancements can revolutionize and personalize healthcare solutions.
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Reward doctors and health practitioners for promoting preventive care measures. Educating themselves and society can only introduce wellness.
While studying the subject in depth, I felt that ‘Concierge Medicine’ is an Innovative Idea that can Help
Concierge medicine is a promising innovation that strengthens doctor-patient relationships. It promises a reduction in healthcare costs.
This concept reminded me of my Investment Banking days:
An increase in interconnection between global societies led to greater transparency.
With time, my clients demanded transparency within their financial portfolios and asked for less portfolio churning. To bridge this gap innovative minds encouraged a fixed fee. They introduced a performance-based model to reduce unfair means of excessive portfolio churning.
A similar model can be implemented in the Healthcare space. With innovative measures a lot could go better:
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Medical practitioners can be more directional. They can actively take part in their patient’s well-being. An improved quality of health can be linked to financial benefits for the practitioners.
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Treatments and medicines can be more effective. The practitioners can adopt a holistic health approach toward healing.
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Unnecessary clinical tests and procedures can be stopped.
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New innovative payment systems can be introduced.
As it turned out, my experience wasn’t an isolated one!
A family’s financial health is the most affected when a member gets diagnosed with a rare disease.
Over my journey of 8 years, I exchanged dozens of conversations with other rare patients and their families with similar concerns.
It is important to remember that a healthier society benefits everyone.
Conclusion
The idea of the blog is not to doubt the intentions of doctors or medical service providers. Instead about the current system of rewarding doctors for treating illnesses rather than preventing them.
By re-evaluating the incentives in the healthcare industry, we can move towards a system that prioritizes patient well-being and encourages doctors to keep their patients healthy.
It is very difficult to make this cultural shift overnight. However, moving slowly in this direction could change the health system.
Today, with all our technological and scientific pride it wouldn’t be difficult to bring about a change.
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not represent any kind of medical advice.
