By
Dr Neil Flanagan
Submitted On November 18, 2015
We're being overserviced by the health system and its providers,
and we're the ones who can put a halt to that. It's up to us to say, 'No
thanks!' Yet there's a reluctance to say, 'No!' that seems to increase
with age. Hospitals and Medicos are similar to other business operators:
they need to generate fees.
In a recent Quarterly Essay, 'Dear Life: On Caring For The Elderly', Karen Hitchcock told a story of a farmer friend of hers who needed to renew his heavy-vehicle licence so he could harvest his crop. His GP referred the farmer to a private cardiologist for a 'check-up'. Despite this man being at the peak of health with no risk factors for heart disease, the cardiologist booked the farmer for an angiogram, According to Hitchcock, the cardiologist's fee for that exercise would be somewhere between $2,000 and $3,000. The procedure would take approximately 15 minutes. The farmer was given the thumbs-up, so he went home, got his licence, and harvested his crop. A seemingly straightforward check became a costly exercise. The farmer was overserviced, paid the price, and never contemplated saying, 'No' to any of the service providers.
Most of us can quote similar stories where we know someone who has been overserviced, and never contemplated saying, 'No'. (If you'd like a free article on 'How to say No', just let me know and a copy will be with you, pronto.)
Few people want to live for ever, but wouldn't say no to living an extra hour, day, or year. This is hardly new news. Seneca told us 2,000 years ago that there isn't anyone who, given the chance, would not want to live an extra day. And medical research and practices continue to be a big help in making that happen. But somewhere along the way, we've vacated the driver's seat of our lives: someone else is driving our bus. It's time to say, 'No thanks', if I want to stay in control of decisions that affect my life.'
There's no need to push the Panic Button, but these three bits of wisdom are worth heeding.
In a recent Quarterly Essay, 'Dear Life: On Caring For The Elderly', Karen Hitchcock told a story of a farmer friend of hers who needed to renew his heavy-vehicle licence so he could harvest his crop. His GP referred the farmer to a private cardiologist for a 'check-up'. Despite this man being at the peak of health with no risk factors for heart disease, the cardiologist booked the farmer for an angiogram, According to Hitchcock, the cardiologist's fee for that exercise would be somewhere between $2,000 and $3,000. The procedure would take approximately 15 minutes. The farmer was given the thumbs-up, so he went home, got his licence, and harvested his crop. A seemingly straightforward check became a costly exercise. The farmer was overserviced, paid the price, and never contemplated saying, 'No' to any of the service providers.
Most of us can quote similar stories where we know someone who has been overserviced, and never contemplated saying, 'No'. (If you'd like a free article on 'How to say No', just let me know and a copy will be with you, pronto.)
Few people want to live for ever, but wouldn't say no to living an extra hour, day, or year. This is hardly new news. Seneca told us 2,000 years ago that there isn't anyone who, given the chance, would not want to live an extra day. And medical research and practices continue to be a big help in making that happen. But somewhere along the way, we've vacated the driver's seat of our lives: someone else is driving our bus. It's time to say, 'No thanks', if I want to stay in control of decisions that affect my life.'
There's no need to push the Panic Button, but these three bits of wisdom are worth heeding.
- When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully. (William Dodd).
- Once upon a time never comes again. (Frank Sinatra).
- Growing old is something you do if you're lucky. (Grouch Marx).
You can comment on anything in this article at http://www.neil.com.au or contact Neil Flanagan at neil@neil.com.au to get your free copy.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dr_Neil_Flanagan/238005
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