I got all fired up again recently about my passion for natural family health. This is a broad topic I've been wanting to write about since I began GrowingSlower, and this seems like a good time to start. What refueled the fire was reading what Heather at The EO wrote about her health experiences. You can read Part One in which she underwent tubal ligation during a Cesarean, and her doctor did not warn her of the potential (and not at all minor) side effects and Part Two in which the same doctor tries to blame breastfeeding for the symptoms she is experiencing. If you are considering tubal ligation at anytime in the future, please read this first!
Health care professionals can offer you great advice from a medical-technological perspective. In addition to giving you excellent medical care, that perspective may include several other aspects. (I reference news articles in links throughout the text.)
When offering advice and treatment your health care providers may consider the following:
Anyway, the title of this post may sound a little dramatic. Consider it as a simple reminder that just like you are responsible for feeding, clothing, and otherwise caring for your family, YOU are ultimately responsible for making their health care decisions. The doctor's time as an irrefutable authority figure must come to an end. Here's why...
Health care professionals can offer you great advice from a medical-technological perspective. In addition to giving you excellent medical care, that perspective may include several other aspects. (I reference news articles in links throughout the text.)
When offering advice and treatment your health care providers may consider the following:
- The Party Line: The organizations of medical professionals promote and lobby for the business interests of medical professionals. Some accept money and support from drug companies. Last year they spent $39 million on campaign finance and $59 million lobbying. These same organizations also fund research and set health recommendations and policies that doctors across the nation follow. The many potential conflicts of interests are obvious.
- Fear of Lawsuits: Last month a survey of doctors showed that 96 percent of orthopedic surgeons ordered tests, referrals to specialists, and hospitalizations that were unnecessary except to help them avoid malpractice lawsuits! This behavior causes a shocking monetary waste of $2 billion a year. The more alarming issue to me is the harm done to the health of patients undergoing $2 billion worth of unnecessary procedures. All of these tests and procedures are not without risk. This is just the most recent of findings throughout the medical specialties showing doctors basing decisions on fear of lawsuits. In addition, another February study showed that one-third of doctors did not feel that they needed to share serious medical errors with patients. Fear or recourse also prevents hospital employees from reporting mistakes. Yikes!
- Pharmaceutical Companies: Drug and medical device companies have influence over doctors, medical trade organizations, and policy makers. They make money when you are prescribed lots of medications and tests. Nearly 40% of doctors do not feel the need to disclose their ties to pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Yes, even small perks have been shown to influence doctors prescribing practices. Drug companies make their weight felt at the federal level getting their products pushed through the FDA even though they may not be safe. They also spent a shocking $181 million last year lobbying policy makers.
- Time constraints: Depending on where you look, doctors visits last an average of 13 to 20 minutes . They must diagnose and treat you based on what they see in such a short amount of time. They may not have time to holistically consider your particular case and symptoms or to discuss all of the risks or side effects of treatments.
We all know our healthcare system is broken, and I am afraid I don't see it getting fixed anytime soon. I guess what I'm trying to say is that we mamas (and daddies too) are the ones who have our families' best interests in mind. We love them more than anything and know them better than anyone else. We are willing to do anything for them including making sure they get the best possible healthcare. We are the best advocates for our families' health, and we must exercise our right and responsibility to make informed decisions for them.
How have you advocated for your family's health?
This is the first in a series about natural health. Next up, I'll be posting about the 5 steps I use to make natural health decisions.
This post is linked up with Frugally Sustainable, Sorta Crunchy, and Wellness Wednesday.
Love this, Shannon! Although I'm not yet a mother, I find this topic extremely important, especially to those women who are considering having a child. We're not planning on starting a family in the near future, but I decided to go to the doctor for an overall checkup and other annual tests. I was VERY unhappy with my doctor. She was unwilling to listen to my concerns with my current health. I have high cholesterol (not to the point where I NEED medication) and she insisted I needed to be put on medication! I refused and said, "What if I were to get pregnant?" She says, "It's ok. By the time you found out you were pregnant, you could just get off of them." Umm..no...I don't think so! Needless to say, I'm searching for a new doctor. I'm not one to take medications unless extrememly necessary. And for someone that eats well and exercises, I find my slightly high cholesterol to not be THAT big of deal. I wish that doctors (and insurance companies) would get there act together.
ReplyDeleteJonna, it is so good to hear from you! :) Way to think for yourself and avoid those medications you know you don't need. I hope you're able to find a doctor who isn't so eager to whip out the prescription pad. If you're dealing with cholesterol issues, here is a really interesting article Why I am Never Getting My Cholesterol Levels Checked Again. There's also some great information on what cholesterol is really doing in your body in the book Nourishing Traditions.
DeleteI love your blog :) Thanks for that info! I liked what they had to say
DeleteAlso, I want to keep in touch with you (other than the blog) and I don't know how to since I deleted my Facebook :(
DeleteJust email me at growingslower {at} gmail {dot} com! :)
DeleteThank you for this post! Of course if I break a bone or have an organ about to burst open, I'm not going to treat myself! Doctors do have knowledge and their expertise is valuable. But I get so irked by people who blindly trust their doctor - for the very reasons you cited. Knowlege aside, doctors are still able to be biased!
ReplyDeleteI do see my doctors when something is wrong. Afterall, a diagnosis by a professioanl is key to helping ME decide how I want to treat my issue.
But - - I have had doctors prescribe me meds BEFORE they were done running tests. I have had doctors that have looked at me like I was a nut when I asked if there was an exercise I could do...or a better position I could sleep in...or a food I should stop or start eating to improve my condition.
And I've had doctors get visibly irritated when I've said, "well, I appreciate the information but I'm going to think about this before I proceed with a treatment". Yea. Mad. Because I dare to think twice about accepting their suggested treatment!
Your post is great food for thought - - doctors are smart, yes, but they dont' know it all!
This is a great article. Thank you for linking it up with Wellness Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteI have gone through a LOT of doctors to find one who will listen to me and be my partner. I have hypothyroidism and have had a terrible time to find a doctor to treat it appropriately. It's so import to arm yourself with knowledge before and after your doctors visits. It is also very important to not be timid. Don't stay quiet because your doctor is an MD. If you know something they don't seem to be acknowledging bring it up. Ask for the labs that you want run and tell the doctor why you think it's important!