PGY 39, Day # 86
Medicine by the Numbers is Painting an Unacceptable Picture … Strike that
Medicine by the Numbers: Painting an Ugly and Unacceptable Picture of Money and Profit Over Patient Care
These are not new thoughts for me, but, rather recurrent thoughts … triggered bymy observationson the front lines of patient care… and the picture gets worse …and worse with every passing day. With every passing day, itgets harder and harder for the front line providers togive the best possible care. It is a struggle to say the least, and the bottom line is this: The Business of MedicineDOES NOT equalThe Profession of Medicine andThe Art of Medicine,and therein lies the problem. Business guys want to earn money, and Doctorswant to … and are obliged BY OATH to take care of patients.So, asI see it, theProfession ofMedicine … the Doctor Patient Relationship …has been hijacked by the Business of Medicine, so patient care providers are only valued in so much as they can generate $$$ for the business. In other words, the Business Guys are riding on the backs of patients and providers(AKAthe Doctor-Patient Relationship), driving the Doctor-Patient Relationship towardthe MONEY, skimming off the top (30-60%) and Patients are falling through the cracks, because their health care needs are not being met. It is Ugly, Unacceptable, Unethical, Immoral and probably, if notillegal, on the edge of legality.
But these Business Guysdo have excuses for their bad behavior, and they are protected by corporate structure from the bad outcomes that they produce in the process of driving the line toward greater “productivity” and pushing providers into situations that result in cutting corners and lowering quality. What do Business Guysknow about quality patient care? Nothing! Do they care about patient care? No! They care about the bottom line, profits, bonuses, money in their pocketsand corporate profits… that is their business.
I have posted aTop Ten Target (TTnT™©)SolutionList in the past, and I will post it again in my new blog, but for now,Iwill share the piece postedon my website blog … in November 2008. As you review this post, keep in mind one simple fact: The Business of Medicine DOES NOT EQUAL The Profession, Practice and Art of Medicine. Therefore, The Business of Medicine DOES NOT & CAN NOTPROVIDE for optimal patient care.