Photo illustrated by Ky Olson
Last year I heard a commencement speaker tell the graduates not to be afraid to ask the stupid question. He then shared how a reporter, by asking that stupid question, won a Pulitzer Prize for an article inspired by the response to a stupid question.
Many times I have felt that to question the unavailability of alternative healthcare options was not only perceived as stupid, but also tended to isolate me from those with differing views. Based upon recent information about healthcare procedures and practices by the medical fraternity, maybe my concerns are not stupid. At least that’s what new studies are indicating.
Recently, the media has published two articles – “Americans get too much healthcare, their docs say,” by Frederik Joelving and “Much U.S. health care is unnecessary, say many primary-care doctors,” by Susan Perry. These articles were based on reports from a survey published September 26th in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Joelving’s opening comment in his article was, “Here is a diagnosis of what’s wrong with health care in America, straight from the horse’s mouth: There’s too much.” In the article, Joelving related the incident of the man with a morphine pump as told by his physician, Dr. Bale. Dr. Bale recounted that his patient had an intractable pain after falling on an icy driveway. The patient had several tests at the hospital, but these tests revealed nothing. During these procedures, the man’s wife keep telling the doctors that her husband had a morphine pump in his back to treat chronic pain and that he’d fallen on the pump. But no one listened.
Dr. Bale’s prescription? Listen to your patient.
It appears past time for healthcare providers to start listening to the patient. Allow the individual seeking health care to use and explore alternative methods without labeling him stupid because it doesn’t fit someone’s preconceived system, however well intended. One very underrated system of health care is the use of prayer and spirituality. Recent surveys reveal that 70% of patients pray about their health and 99% of the physicians believe in the healing power of prayer. Yet, the federal government doesn’t appear to be listening. Currently, the approved benefit list does not include alternatives such as spiritual care as an option in the mandated insurance policies beginning 2014.
Is anyone listening? It’s not a stupid question.
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Our customers often ask stupid questions but it makes us rethink of the public’s view and how to answer and inform so the questions are not stupid after all. Thanks for the blog!
Thank you for this blog. Not sure why the government is not listening, but they need to. There are many alternatives to conventional medicine and I have found prayer to be the best one for me. We live in a democracy or at least that is what I am told. If this is true, we all should have a choice in what kind of health care we wish to practice. No one should dictate to another individual what is best for them, because what is right for one person may not be right for another. Even Doctors agree with that. So…I agree with Dr. Bale’s perscription about listening to your patient or in this case to the Federal and State Government “LISTEN TO YOUR PEOPLE” all your people, not just those you agree with and make sure everyone is given a choice.
I agree, it’s not a stupid question! I appreciate the links to the articles you referenced. I read them both!
As these kinds of articles continue to be published, it gives the public strength to stand up for what they believe is the best health care for them. It’s arrogant for “the powers that be” to force everyone into the same mold.
People are listening and praying and participating in this ongoing debate. In a democracy, it’s vital that we all hear the legitimate concerns of our national citizens, when it comes to choices in health care.
That’s what freedom is, and the United States of America is the land that has always upheld it.
I recall that there was a time in the health reform debate provision for Christian Science that indicated “the government was listening,” but then there was a concerted public outcry against it that seemed to cause it to disappear.
We need to continue to pray diligently that Christian Science cannot be ignored and shoved aside by any opposing force, for our cause is just and is based upon God’s Law.
“99% of the physicians believe in the healing power of prayer.” I like that statistic, as well as your beautifully written article!
Have a great weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let’s hear more about those 99% of doctors who believe in the healing power of prayer!
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