I think the main issue here is money. We don't have enough money to address the quality of care and it's the money that makes doctors and nurses act the way they do. Because a doctor or nurse is one of the higher paying jobs in the country, many people go into these professions not because they truly care about people, but because they want the money. This results in many hospital professionals not treating their patients the way they deserve to be treated. They are only there to get paid, not to make a difference.
Friday, April 3, 2009
It's all about money
Almost a year and a half ago my mom had to have surgery to remove a tumor that was found in her colon. She had to stay in the hospital for 4 days while she recovered after her surgery. After she got discharged she told us how much she hated it in the hospital because the nurses and doctors made her feel like she was a burden and their service was horrible. I even witnessed it myself. I went to visit her one day in the hospital and she needed the nurse for something so she buzzed for her to come. We were waiting for about 15 minutes and the nurse still hadn't come so my mom asked me to go look for the nurse. When I went out into the lobby I found my mom's nurse busy on the computer...on Myspace. My mom told us that every time she buzzed for the nurses they would take at least 15 minutes to get to her and that her doctor only checked up on her once after the surgery.
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I agree with Diana's comment about the underlying issue being money, but at the same time I'd have to disagree with her claim that a lot of individuals go into the nursing or medical career field just for the money. Maybe there are a few nurses or doctors here and there whose intentions may not be what would be considered ideal, but at the same time there are several people in these professions who truly do care about the well-being of their patients. However, at the same time, the quality of care does start with these individuals so it is important to look at what else can be done in order to provide incentives for them to express more empathy and give better care. Or, alternatively, there can be consequences for poor quality of care as assessed by patients based on a certain set of guidelines.
ReplyDeleteTo answer the question of what constitutes "good" quality of care, I think it is a reflection of the correct exams being done, patients being treated with respect and care, and doctors and nurses doing everything they can to improve an individual's health.