Boy,
has it been a turbulent time in health lately. And for all the wrong reasons. Yet
the federal government plough on, resisting communication or negotiation while
they stick to their mantra – their proposed changes for health and necessary
for the good of the country.
I
keep trying to define what can be good for patients in all of this, but can
only see a trail of negativity, a loss of services and values in healthcare for
patients and fears of a diminishing medical workforce if education and health
cuts are passed.
Then
I thought about another way. Try for one or two minutes, just try to see the
government’s point of view. Really, really try, maybe not be so ‘pessimistic’.
Maybe see if it would make sense if I try and apply Dutton’s principles to a
busy medical practice and see if these policies have any merit. Or are they
simply something to apply on a grand scale rather than in a practical situation?
So,
here’s my take on applying these changes to a real world setting;, what doctors
and I work in every day,
A
new world scenario for a busy medical practice:
Imagine
this for a while and see how it fits. Doctors in this busy private practice
hold a meeting behind the staff’s back and announce in unison that the
situation at the practice is worse than anybody imagined. They have had some
external auditors in and had no idea things were this bad when they signed the
lease.
The
principal doctors announce that due to the crisis left by previous tenants,
there will no longer be a tea room, toilet facilities or any basic staff
amenities. The principal doctors agree these measures will be tough but
necessary. They did not appreciate how the previous tenants had left the
premise. Hence they cannot be held accountable for what would be tough but fair
changes for all.
The
principal doctors inform the staff that there will be a 30% reduction in
staffing commencing in 2 weeks. As a gesture of goodwill, the principal doctors
will take a 2% pay cut, because, after all ‘we’ve ALL inherited this MESS’.
There will be limited access to services such as Medicare or the Australian Tax
Office. They were just superfluous services anyway, not really required by a busy
medical practice.
Beginning
in a week’s time, cash registers will be installed at reception and all staff
will instruct patients to pay up before they have any chance of seeing a
doctor. Even if presenting with chest pain, acute shortness of breath or other
life threatening symptoms. The doctors understand that there will be
‘casualties’ due to this blanket measure but nevertheless it will work for the
good of most who need health care. And it’s important for practice staff to
remind patients that each and every dollar raised will go to curing their
health problems via a medical research fund, so they will no longer experience
chest pain or shortness of breath in the future. After all, the new breed
doctors know, there is nothing in this ‘acute health care’ it costs too much and
there is no return on investment.
The
doctors warn the practice staff that this will be a very difficult time, but to
remind patients that it is difficult for all, not just those who have recently
lost their job, have a mental illness,
perhaps a physical disability or find themselves homeless of late. TOUGH. FOR.
ALL. In fact, the principal doctors announce they will spend $250,000 to
rebrand the practice with this telling and sage message. Staff will wear this
logo on their new uniforms and doctors will add it to the business cards. Everybody
will assume their rightful role in where they now fit in the practice and the
greater community. At the bottom.
When
doctors finally get to see their patients, suddenly stricken with low self
esteem and self worth, they will turn off their listening ears and preach to
their heart’s content. They will fail to miss the tidal wave of patients
surging the wrong way out of the practice door (or perhaps the right way),
there will be serenity in the waiting room, but no place for reflection.
At
least these radical but necessary changes will only need to be in place for
three years. After that the practice lease will be up for renewal, and the new
team of doctors can inherit the mess, seeing fit to do with it what they want.
Imagine
this in the real world? What doctor would stand for this on behalf of their
patients or their own professional lives?
Thoughts?
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