Me – A Chance I Was Willing To Take
I was 11 when I decided I wanted to become a doctor. It was crucial for me because there was someone I wanted to use my special acquired knowledge to heal. It was a goal, a vision that I saw to fruition. So when it came time to go to medical school I had to do what a lot of American medical students do – borrow the funds to pay for my education. Coming out of medical school with $150,000 of medical educational debt was a lot of money – but it was an investment in myself that I was willing to make and a chance on me that I was willing to take.
Near Completely Cooked
Doctors are generally highly conscientious personalities that like the feeling of being approved of. We have generally been high achievers all of our lives and we enjoy receiving credit for doing the right things and doing them right. For many years, physicians enjoyed a certain type of moral high ground that was also associated with the ability to make a better than average living in America. Our patients loved us (for the most part) and we generally got along with administrators of various business genres. Somewhere along the way however, the business of medicine slowly began to degrade the medical profession to a series of steps, procedures and itemized costs and convert our patients into widgets and gadgets with itemized dollar signs. Before we knew it – we were enmeshed in a system that was altogether out of physician control with exponentially costly care, diminishing face time with our patients and a level of detachment that has become a norm and caused patients to challenge and question our motives. Somehow, over the years – physicians became acclimated to the concept of chasing dollars (pharmaceutical, insurance and government) as we provided medical care for our patients. Somewhere along the way, physicians found themselves entangled in the financial interests of the pharmaceutical companies and health systems that have come to acquire profits of epic proportions. If physicians were the frogs – then the healthcare system became the water that was heated gradually to the point that we are now near completely cooked.
The Hidden Curriculum
After a while, in a sacred space of reflection and enlightenment, most physicians can feel that something about the healthcare system is not right. They can know that this is not what they envisioned when they signed up to be doctors. They can look back and ponder that “perhaps I made a wrong turn back there somewhere”. Was it medical school when they didn’t stand up and speak up to residents and attendings who seemed to directly conflict in their manner, flow and attitude toward patients and health? Or was it during residencies and fellowships when they just needed to get the work done – by any means necessary – sleep deprived and all? They had a written curriculum that clearly delineated what they were aiming to be – but they yielded to a hidden curriculum that dictated what they would become. For heavens sake, our grades depended on it! Our approval within the “system” depended on it. Our ability to find the best jobs and other stellar practice opportunities depended on it. We came to accept – even expect this of each other. Doctor leaders and teachers proudly stand in sanctified judgment when the written professional curriculum is failed by one who is being taught – while at the same time, being pious miserable examples – because they are simply overwhelmed and near blindly separated from what they believed they would become.
The Fight To Rescue American Health Care
Escape Fire, the movie documentary that promotes the “definitive conversation on American Healthcare”, is a work study activity for every American who needs or may need healthcare one day in the future. Meet the doctors and other healthcare personnel who represent thousands who have decided enough is enough. It doesn’t have to be this way. Health costs don’t have to be so ridiculously out of proportion to health outcomes. Profits don’t have to be placed before people. Politics don’t have to drive the climate for what should be a basic human right to receive effective health care. People can step up and take more control and responsibility for their health. Sacred doctor-patient relationships can be restored. Our children can reclaim the health expectation that they will live longer than their parents.
Beautiful Dreamer
I dream an America where citizens place their health as priority and value good health as a crucial form of wealth. Where they live their best, most productive and full lives then die prepared and peaceful deaths. Where they value aging and appreciate the beauty therein. Where they suffer no health disparities due to their socioeconomic status. Where they are an enlightened example for others to follow.
You might say that I’m a dreamer – but I’m not the only one.
Love, Laughter, Light, Peace, Prosperity and Health to you.
Dr. Pamela Ross, MD
