Cattle Herding Vs Patient Care
By now it’s clear to us that our mighty and rich health system is lacking, and its priorities are primarily financial and profit oriented. It’s only in our imperfect World where ‘time is money’, that we can hear of a statement like “we herd them like cattle (i.e. speeding the patients in and out of exam rooms) but we don’t treat them like one,” said by a physician working in a busy primary care office to one of his office employees. The office employee who eventually left to work in a different hospital system lamented the predicament of the physician that she once worked with, and the state of the health system that transformed sick and hurting patients into cattle to be herded.
How the beasts groan! The herds of cattle are perplexed because there is no pasture for them; even the flocks of sheep suffer.
Joel 1:18
In today’s health system, patients with wealth who can afford concierge form of medicine, and the fortunate ones who work in successful and well-to-do companies that emphasize wellness, or in higher education institutions that value their students and employees, can still find quality medical and mental care. The above are examples of how medical care ought to be, not just for few fortunate ones but for everyone. It’s the way all physicians and medical providers would yearn to take care of patients.
The rest unfortunately will have to experience varying quality of medical care. Some of us have good health insurances that provide reasonable compensated time with our physicians, useful diagnostic tests, good preventive care and wellness, while others have insurances that provide minimum time, and less tests, health, and wellness. But in general, most of us, the common man including many of the well to do, receive what the health system wants to gives; fast food style of medicine that’s overwhelming to physicians, medical providers, and patients alike.
This speedy, fast food style of medical care is totally ill equipped to deal with the epidemic of mental illness sweeping the nation with the horrific consequences of mass killings, domestic and national violence, broken family units, and addictions. Our large, rich, and profitable- to-few American health system can’t heal the minds and hearts of men, women, soldiers and veterans lost in the dark tunnels of PTSD. The inner turmoil and darkness of a broken heart menaced by PTSD can’t be quietened and its dark cloud can’t be lifted when it’s is herded like cattle.
And so, in our imperfect world where many view money as more important than souls how can the average man, woman, soldier, veteran, boy, and girl ever find physical rebooting, emotional recharging, and healing of their souls?
The answer does not lie in more wealth, success, or power. But is found in the simple things of life that are free to all; hope, faith and love. When we place our hope and faith in God, and begin to embrace His love, our life time journey of rebooting, recharging, and healing begins.
Join me in a rebooting journey of our body, mind, and spirit as I explore in this website a multitude of emotions and challenges that we all face in life.
Advice and recommendations offered here are not meant to replace your medical provider’s individual evaluation, diagnosis and treatment. Please see your medical provider for any physical or emotional concerns.
Views expressed here are only of the author, and do not represent the views of any other organization or entity.
Adel G. Hanna, M.D,
Author: Soldier To Soldier Heart to Heart
A Doctor’s Stories from a Military Camp
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