Not sure if steemit does these AMAs or not but I'm gonna open up a post for any questions or comments regarding an "inside" view of the US system of healthcare or at least one RNs opinion of it.
This is mainly for non-medical people as any Dr, Nurse, PA, NP, CNA, PT, OT etc. will know deep down what I am talking about. They exist in the system knowing this information sometimes fully embracing it, sometimes in spite of it.
So... MOST medical professionals are "indoctrinated" in their system of education. You are not really taught to think for yourself. You are not really taught to educate yourself on every option available to patients or for optimal health. You are taught the "system" of healthcare and profitable "treatments" and pharma drugs. Many of the treatments are inferior to more natural or lifestyle based solutions. This is partly because it gives the patient (customer) what they want (an easy solution) as well as ignorance and indoctrination of the medical professionals themselves who are bought into these treatments as the best option.
Most of the medical model is based on algorithmic thinking. What this means is your Dr or otherwise really doesn't know exactly what's going on initially they just recognize symptoms and use their trained algorithm to try to treat what would be the most likely cause. Many times they're right, sometimes they're wrong. Shows like Greys Anatomy and Dr. House are frankly bullshit as physicians don't really operate like that.
Ok, so onto the healthcare "system". Many patients don't know the healthcare system until they are in it. When you enter a hospital you are assigned a physician and nurse and both of those professionals are given way to many people to take care of well. Hospitals and healthcare businesses used to be run by medical professionals but now it is run by MBA business people. So when those business management pros came onto the scene they had the brilliant idea that they could make more money if they hired less nurses and docs and gave them more patients.
The problem is that people are not widgets and you can't increase production when it comes to humans. Reimbursement is largely based on patient satisfaction as well which is mainly the responsibility of the docs and nurses.
Basically the system of healthcare has been ransacked and destroyed by business administrators as well as a system of education that indoctrinates the caretakers that inferior but extremely profitable treatments are the best solution. Most in this system are so bought in by the time they graduate will never question it. They will never truly fight to change a system that pays them well for taking part. They are legally bound to NOT tell their patients other options or even the truth. You could lose your license if you actually had an honest conversation about some options for a patient instead of what big pharma and your corporate masters want you to do.
This is why I do not work as a nurse anymore. You can't truly care for people while running ragged and you can't keep lying to people about treatments if you don't really believe in them anymore. They won't teach about options for improving your diabetic condition. It's just the way it is right now, so take your insulin and shut up!
Any questions or comments are MORE than welcome. Maybe it comes off as a bit of RANT but that's ok. I get angry about the current overpriced shitty quality care system that we have in the US! I just want to share my knowledge after years being in the system for anyone whom it can help.
