Jennifer Gamberini
In my opinion, I think a new approach should be taken to reform health care. Measures are already being brought forth in this direction, but I think the aspect of prevention is one that is key. Much money is spent developing new technology, and while I believe that is great, I think it we would be much more productive and able to save a lot more money if preventative measures were increased.
Injuries are a great example of this. When a person gets injured, costs quickly escalate as doctors work to diagnosis it; tests are run, and imaging equipment is used to examine the patient. And as degree of severity has an infinite range, so does reason for injury. Athletic injuries, in particular, can be more frequently prevented with the help of proper training. Beginning in early gym classes, children should be taught proper exercise, stretch and training techniques. If these values can be instilled early on, it will be easier to carry on throughout life and one can incur less injury. For instance, upon developing agility skills, children should be taught appropriate jumping and landing skills, in conjunction with side-to-side motions. Learning and practicing this correctly will reduce the risk of damage, such as tearing a muscle or ligament (ACL).
In addition to athletic injuries are vehicle-induced accidents. Driving limitations, restrictions and revocations should be enforced in full, in particular with regard to drunk driving. Not only should people fear a first offense, but multiple offenders should be unheard-of. Care most definitely should be provided for victims of such a crime, but the cost to provide the care can skyrocket with ambulances, hospital stays, medical exams and potential further rehabilitation. If prevention in this area could be effective, much money could be saved; plus, lives themselves could be saved and protected.
Last, I think lifestyle is a key factor. For many people who have poor health, it is due to their unhealthy lifestyle. Smoking predisposes a person for lung cancer and requires the use and development of equipment and technology to treat it. Obesity predisposes a person to diabetes and requires the use and development of equipment and technology to treat it. Unprotected and multiple-partner sex predisposes a person to STIs and requires the use and development of equipment and technology to treat it. The list continues, but this root lies within lifestyle. If people can be better educated and given better opportunities to make beneficial choices, much disease, injury and cost can be eliminated. The money saved from this unnecessary spending could then be channeled toward more complicated and effective technology and research for things that we don’t have as much control over.
Delivering Health Care In America, Leiyu Shi & Douglas A. Singh
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Great! I totally agree that while our amazing technology is something to be really proud of in this country, funding in health care should be shifted more toward things like preventive care. I am so glad that someone in your group acknowledged that! Great job!
ReplyDeleteSarah UW- Managed Care- Maroon Group
Although many people have poor health due to unhealthy lifestyles, this is not always the case with everyone. Some people can be perfectly healthy, leading a good lifestyle and still be diagnosed with cancer.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think it is great to want to teach people proper ways to move so they do not injure themselves, however, my concern would be with its implementation. I feel that a lot of people know exercising is good for your health, but there are still tons of people who do not exercise. As a CNA, you are taught how to properly lift patients and transfer them from a wheelchair to the bed and vice versa. Personally, even though I was taught how to do this in a way that would minimize the injury to myself, I still catch myself having improper posture and lifting techniques. I think it is possibly due to the idea that for example, it is just more of a habit to bend your back to lift something than it is to sqaut using your knees and keep your back straight. Maybe you are correct that teaching children at a young age would counter this common habit.
Nice Job Jen! You took a different yet effective approach to the proposal. I think that preventative care is very important. Not only educating people on injury prevention is essential, but consistently reinforcing it is important as well.
ReplyDeleteI would put prevention towards the bottom of the list of reforms for health care. I think we have some bigger fish to fry before we try to change people's lifestyle. I don't think children will take gym class "jumping and landing skills" too serious.
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