Today, everyone expects the “Amazon treatment” meaning they want health care immediately!
The delivery of health care is no longer the general practitioner in your community who has been there for years caring for patients ranging in age from birth through their geriatric years.
There are same day clinics and pharmacies that see patients, there are walk-in clinics at hospitals and urgent care centers literally every mile or 2. You can even get a same day telehealth appointment with a provider.
Unfortunately, with this quicker, faster health care system things do not get accurately diagnosed and treatment is based on symptoms rather than diagnostic determination to find the correct cause of the ailment. More mistakes are possible.
Now, would you think this makes for good patient care?
I think this “McDonald’s” way of medical care with patients not being properly diagnosed in a timely manner will lead to more medical malpractice claims against health care providers.
We have an “Amazon” type practice of medicine because almost every health care provider is required to see a certain number of patients each hour. To get to a specialist or a proper worked up for a problem, it can take some time to see a specialist, even take a test and get the correct diagnosis and prescribed the requisite remedy treatment.
And, obviously, the more rushed the diagnosis and treatment, the greater the chance for error with the patient paying the price. This impacts nursing as well as patients want things now. We will see what the future holds and if this model of healthcare will continue.
Sunshine says
First, I want to say how much I appreciate you and your thought provoking topics. I love that you share nurse news and champion for us. On this article I must present a different view.
Though there is something magical about seeing the same primary care provider throughout a lifetime, the reality is different. Primary care often can’t schedule appointments for minor acute concerns and conditions like a UTI or URI aren’t severe enough for the ER. The working poor can’t take time from their j.o.b. to seek care during traditional clinic hours. Walk in clinics make healthcare accessible.
In my experience, guidelines are followed. Tests are ordered appropriately and referrals are made when needed. Antibiotic stewardship is taken seriously, sexual health concerns can be quickly and easily addressed and narcotics aren’t ever prescribed in the model in which I’m familiar. We even send a care summary to the patient’s primary care.
Access is so important and there are many people who are not established with a primary care. These visits also present opportunities to encourage primary care management, immunizations, smoking cessation and dietary education to name a few. While there are benefits to seeing the same primary care provider through a lifetime, and this is the ideal situation, access to care is also very important. Not to mention, in my region, the primary care providers seem to go to a new job every few years.
It is also important to refer to these clinics with esteem rather than comparing them to cheap empty calories and inferior products. Can you rush in and get what you order because Dr Google says that’s what you need? No. Can you rush in and get quality health care conveniently? Yes. Referring to established clinics that provide people a resource as anything lesser is an offense against the clinic and nurses who staff them, and insults the people who use them. Our healthcare system is broken, these models are a small part of the solution.
Dr. Deborah C. Karas, APN-BC says
Another on point article Lori! You have definitely called it as it is. In the name of PROFITS, healthcare is often rushed in too many situations. As Peter Jennings said years ago on the nightly news one night, “The mafia does not need to instill violent crimes to make money. They just need to go into healthcare”. It is my professional opinion, in too many cases, “healthcare” is a very sad situation like Peter Jennings said. Thank you Lori for all the work you do for others.
Dr. Deborah C. Karas, APN-BC says
Another note and comment regarding this excellent article. Nurses and healthcare providers need to pay more attention to the bottom line on cost sheets that are publicly available and required to be filed annually with the state and federal governments. Providers need to know where the money actually goes and the bonus that are paid our to executives rather than paying enough providers and caregivers to provide the care necessary and per the standard of care. No longer is it acceptable to hear and be told, “we (facilities / owners) don’t get paid enough”. “We can not afford more caregivers.”