As a student, I am very aware of the money I spend on Health Care. I am in a situation where my parents own their own business, so they must buy private health insurance. Since the deductibles are so high, we usually only go to the doctor when absolutely necessary. However, when I do go to the doctor, technology is a huge part of deciding on the hospital I want to go do.
After reading the reform proposals, I am at an agreement with the authors of this blog. Technology is definitely something that deserves major funding. For example, I think having all health care records electronic is not only cost effective in the long run, but extremely efficient. I have spent way too much time at the doctor’s office filling out endless sheets of past medical history, most of which I don’t remember. I am actually more comfortable with all my information in a computer, rather than on a piece of paper floating around the doctor’s office. This may be a generation opinion since my generation tends to be more comfortable and trusting of technology versus the older population.
I also agree with the authors that preventative medicine should be pushed and rewarded. I spend a semester in Ireland, and though my experience I have realized that preventive medicine should be a priority for Americans. Technology plays a huge rule in preventative medicine. It offers the ability for early detection of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other life threatening diseases.
Like I said, I don’t go to the doctor much, but when I do, I expect the technology to be up to date and reliable. Just a few months ago, my sister had her first baby and she picked her hospital, out of all the hospitals in the Green Bay and Appleton area, primarily because it had a Neonatal Intensive Unit that could provide the best care for her baby. She wasn’t expecting any problems or a premature birth, but just having the technology available is extremely comforting. I know that if I or anyone in my family had a life threatening disease, I would make sure to go the hospital with the best technology to treat that disease, despite of the high costs. I know many people would do the same thing.
I will say that the health care system problem is complex. It is hard to find the perfect program, which might not even exist, but we should look for better solutions and try to implement them. I understand that the main objective for proposing a health care reform care propose is to cut down on costs, but I strong agree with the authors that technology is not an area where costs should be cut.
- Ross E.
I definitely agree on your statement about electronic medical records. It will be beneficial and cost effective in the future. When transferring to UWL I had to fill out papers on immunization and past medical history, but it took so long because of the many hospitals my parents used and us moving around when I was a child. It's also so time consuming when you visit the doctor's office just to tell the receptionist, nurse, and physician all the same thing. Thanks for your input, I definitely agree with you ideas.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with this guest author. If anybody in my family ever had a disease, I would pay any price to make sure they got the best care provided.
ReplyDeleteMy one concern with this statement is that I feel that costs should be contained at some degree. Don't you think that some technology is unnecessary and overpriced.
I agree with this guest author as well. I feel very comfortable having electronic records everywhere. I do not go to the hosptal very often, however, I can see for someone who moves around a lot, it would be very convenient to have electronic records. Imagine if you had a serious medical condition and you needed to know immediately what kind of care to be given and it couldn't be simply due to records not being available.
ReplyDeleteYou're right Pam, technology costs can easily get out of hand if not contained. I believe that at every hospital, each department should have to present their ideas to a review board before implementing any new systems. This way the review board can discuss whether the new technology is necessary and if it would be a good investment for the hospital. I believe a system like this is already in place, but I'm not sure. I would assume that hospitals do a good amount of research on each technological investment, especially because most cost several million dollars.
ReplyDeleteRoss makes a good point the role technology plays in preventative care. Without this technology, consider the rise in incidence of breast cancer because there were no mammograms. Or consider not checking the progress of a pregnancy because there was no ultrasound.
ReplyDeleteI experienced the same situation as Pakou. I go to school in a different state from where I'm from. It is a hastle to worry about getting all your information from point A to point B. An electronic system would really help in this case. Also, I agree with Ross when he said that our generation trusts electronics more than older generations. I would be totally comfortable will all my medical information in some sort of computer system.
ReplyDeleteIt's a scary thought to think that technology costs could be reduced. My whole life I've thought of America as the country with great developments, especially with healthcare. I've heard many stories where people come from Australia, Canada, Europe...ect. to get care in the United States because it is so advanced. If funds for new technology is cut-- what country will we all fall back on?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ross on these topics. I have 2 children and they rarely go to the hospital. I could count on two hands the times I have had to take them to the hospital besides for vaccinations. Even with these circumstances I do not believe that technology is the aspect that needs budget cuts. This aspect plays such a large role in health care and if we cut costs, the quality of care will only be affected.
ReplyDeleteThanks for contributing to this class blog; I appreciate the important points you offered in your post. Please feel welcome to comment on any other part of this blog.
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