Our Medical System Needs to Change!

Today I went to the doctors, a normal thing to do for most. Just one of those trips for some new scripts and a flu shot; something I should have done a couple of months ago but was forced when my scripts became out of date. I made an appointment to see the Nurse for the shot and the doctor for the scripts & to take my blood pressure for 11.30am. I arrive 10minuites early (I hate running late), see the nurse who intercoms the doctor about the flu shot, she then tells me I need a Pneumonia shot as well (I had no idea there was such a shot) – one in each arm, then back to the waiting room to see the doctor. A little over two hours later I finally see the doctor who tells me I needed the extra shot as I have had Pneumonia many times previously, the only problem is not one had ever told me this before!

I have been hospitalised 5 times in 3 years due to asthma brought on by infection but no one had thought to tell me that it was Pneumonia. Two of these occasions I would class as relatively serious, the other three not but maybe they were. How would I know I’m not a doctor!

She then asks me how I’m using my particular medication, trick question you may think, no, because three doctors told me three different ways to use it so I had to make the decision on which one to follow. One GP, One Specialist, One Professor not to mention the drug company’s recommendation and I have to make the choice, so far it’s working for me but this is not the point.

I then mention a Cardiologist that had spoken at a Seminar I attended, she googled him as she did not know of him and chose to click on the Radio station he has a segment on totally missing his web site that would have told her exactly who what and where he is. She doesn’t like the Radio Station due to one of their announcers, still trying to work out what this has to do with anything.

We moved on to the natural remedies that have fixed the other problems that I had that she could not fix so back to Google she goes to read the marketing plan of the company bypassing anything to do with production and content or qualification. My only comment was to ask if she thought Drug companies had a marketing strategy or department.

I have known this woman for 20years; our children are the same age and grew up together. We have been to each other’s homes for social gatherings, birthday parties and for many coffees and all of a sudden she has turned into someone I don’t know any more. We have shared many emotional moments over the years (mainly mine) especially when my marriage broke down and my ex-husband became extremely ill.

My best friend has spent the last couple of years trying to get a diagnosis for the symptoms he is suffering but to no avail even after many tests and specialists as each one thinks it’s another specialist’s area. One of my closest girlfriend’s partners was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year after being rushed to hospital. He had been given a clean bill of health the week before from his GP after a mandatory physical for work. After a dozen specialists got involved in his case an argument ensued between these doctors as to which way an operation was to be performed and the decision was left up to my friend and her partner. They chose, and luckily the operation was successful but why should a patient ever be put in this situation when they are having a hard enough time absorbing what the problem is let alone the knowledge to make an informed decision on which professional is correct.

Doctors are human and it’s about time they realise that. The majority of us are not stupid and we hate being treated as such, so let the arrogance go Medicos and work together – we wouldn’t put up with the plumber not fixing a leak or the mechanic not fixing our car and expecting to get paid so tell me why we need to put up with the like from our Health Care Professionals?

Please email me with any experiences and ask everyone you know to as well if you have had a misdiagnosis or incorrect treatments. I have recently contacted the Federal Minister for Health who has hand-balled this back to the state. I need examples in black and white if I’m going to try and make a difference.

Thanks xxx