When I was just starting out in the work day world many years ago, I tried my hand in the sawbones racket. Oh sorry, I mean I tried working in hospitals.
I found then that working around pain, suffering and death has an effect on you after a while. It tends to get you down and is not conducive to your well-being and happiness.
I felt so much better when I left that environment and went on to work in construction.
Hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices are all places of business, and as a business, each one would like more bodies in the shop.
Even though it's a healthcare industry, they are rewarded for treating illness rather than keeping people healthy. So, the incentive is toward treatment with drugs and surgery: more medical care.
There are other therapies for seeking better health such as exercise, nutrition and chiropractic, but medical institutions tend to ignore or look skeptically toward them.
As an auto mechanic in a shop can almost always find something to repair or replace in your car, the medicos with their modern diagnostic equipment can just as easily find something to check or treat for your body. It's business after all. And if insurance covers it, why not?
"You're doing quite well Mrs. Smith. Continue with what you're doing but we would like to see you again in two weeks so as to monitor your condition and to ensure your health and safety".
Pharmacies and clinics promote and back each other up in somewhat of a symbiotic relationship, And big pharma salesmen get in on the act with their advocating more drugs.
Meanwhile, the poor patient rarely has a chance to be independent and self-determined. He or she is often on a treadmill of meds, doctor's appointments and anxiety over their deteriorating physical condition.
Back a few years ago I had a friend who had Parkinsons. I helped transport her to medical appointments. She was fearful of her worsening condition and was a firm believer in modern medicine.
Because of this, she bought medical insurance to cover everything that Medicare did not. Needless to say, the clinics loved her, gave her the works and had her coming back over and over. And I was kept busy transporting her.
She was getting wound care at a major hospital. I was taking her for weekly appointments there. Even after a year, they still continued.
Finally, I declined to take her any longer. I wanted to help her but I realized I was instead helping them use and abuse her.
She was quite upset with me when I told her I felt as though I was aiding and abetting a malpractice scam and would no longer do so.
I had quite similar misgivings about helping some of my senior friends by picking up their meds at the pharmacy. It occurred to me that I was becoming more like a drug runner than that of a good Samaritan.
These conclusions brought to mind my realization from many years back when I left the medical scene for more constructive work.
I think that people may be well advised to keep a safe distance from doctors and hospitals when at all possible.
I know this may seem like a strong, bold statement but I've found it to be true on many occasions. There's an old saying about the cure being worse than the ailment.
Care, maintenance and treatment of the body seem to be turning into something like a religious ritual in our present society. For example, just look at TV ads and media promotions of drugs and medical care.
Doctors, drugs and surgery are expressed as solutions for all your ills and problems. This tends to portray you as a helpless victim and dependent on them.
I definitely agree that medical treatment is helpful to mend a broken leg or to deliver a baby. And hospitals and clinics serve some needs in our community.
I know the medics and the ER are there if I really need them and I am glad of that.
Also, the auto repair shop is there should I need it in the event my car breaks down. But I know better than to take my auto back for regular check-ups every couple of weeks at astronomical cost.
However, as a disclaimer, all of the above is my opinion only and should not be taken as medical advice. I'm not a mechanic or a medical practitioner. But my uncle used to shoe horses for a veterinarian.
So, there's my qualification.
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