How frustratingly horrible for your family. I ry to avoid emergence care ( hopeful not to need it) at all costs for the reasons you describe. Scary and we can do better. How can we make that a priority most people will rally around?
This continually breaks my heart. The system I entered in 1972 as a medical student - that just exuded competence, compassion, and joy (but required incredibly intense work) - is nowhere to be seen. As a (now retired) Pediatrician, I have been examined multiple times and have been asked Med Hx questions in a way that would have earned that examiner an F when I was taught basic exam skills. The commitment to continuity and the understanding of what constitutes excellence is simply gone.
More upsetting is that because the institutional knowledge has dissipated, the newbies have no idea what it was like.
The pandemic has broken the system's back by accelerating the person-power loss. RNs, PAs, NPs and MDs are leaving in droves - and the extraordinary push of deniers to question the basic value of expertise has meant that years of hard-won study and knowledge are treated with contempt. My colleagues and I are simply gob-smacked when people who hardly know high school biology claim to have more information and insight than we.
We currently live 1/2-time in Mexico, and the quality of devotion and care is quite superior to the U.S. Here, physicians make house calls. (!) If you are injured or sick, they meet you at the E.R. They are reasonably well trained. And the costs are remarkably low. For example, the cost of a CT scan here is about $250. That is the COPAY for a CT under Medicare....
I wish I could offer reassurance....but I can't see how it will get better when there is no longer a shared commitment to truth and science.
I am so sorry for what your family experienced; unfortunately, it is a story that is being repeated over and over. I personally waited 8-1/2 hours in the ER to have a CT Scan for a severe, painful bout of diverticulitis. There were many empty rooms in the ER, but they just don't have the staff. All medical people seem to be very discouraged. Michael Moore had it right in Fahrenheit 911 many years ago; we need a single payer system. Our healthcare system is broken and is being run by insurance companies who only look at their profits.
OMG. What a story. It's both shocking and not at all surprising. Our health care system reminds me of the NYS Democratic Party -- sclerotic and dysfunctional. (I don't blame the doctors and nurses at all. It's structural.) I'm glad that Mj finally got treatment they should have gotten initially.
What a horrible experience for the 3 of you especially MJ. You are right the healthcare system is in need of a major renovation. I’m relieved to read that they are doing okay. As a mother I know how frightening it is to see our children in pain. It’s our job to protect them.
I don’t know anybody who hasn’t experienced something similar to what your family just went through. Our healthcare system is very broken. I hope Mj recovers quickly and fully.
Recently had a similar nightmare experience in an ER. Waited 3 days for a hospital room due to overcrowding. Some of it in a cold tent. Some in a hallway on a gurney and 2 nights in a make shift area made of dividers with no access to a bathroom, just a commode. This was in an affluent community that Im sure has no idea this is going on.
That is a shocking story, even though I have had similar long waits in the ER with my husband. I can't imagine having to wait that long-- in vain-- with a child whose injury was so severe. I'm glad it worked out once you got them to the urgent care center, but you're right, you were luckier than a lot of people living in places where hospitals are few and far between, and a long wait to be seen could be a matter of life or death. Our system really is broken. It needs urgent care!
Devastating. Brought tears to my eyes. So grateful that MJ finally got the proper care. And so sorry that you and your family had to endure this (often at times of most need) dehumanizing health care system here in the US. Demoralizing.
Jessica - so sorry that Mj had to experience this trauma and that you & your husband had to try to manage the situation. For a relatively simple medical event! If it’s this bad for people with access and insurance, imagine what a nightmare it is for those without those benefits. Our system is broken - it’s up to us to make noise and get it changed. I hope that Mj heals quickly.
I had a similar injury years ago and the pain is stunning!! I remember it too well and ache for them. I shake my fist at this. Unnecessary suffering, truly abhorrent.
Previous commenters have said it all so I’ll just send love to you and your family and a thank you for sharing this story.
Thank you!
How frustratingly horrible for your family. I ry to avoid emergence care ( hopeful not to need it) at all costs for the reasons you describe. Scary and we can do better. How can we make that a priority most people will rally around?
I am doing research now. Stay tuned.
This continually breaks my heart. The system I entered in 1972 as a medical student - that just exuded competence, compassion, and joy (but required incredibly intense work) - is nowhere to be seen. As a (now retired) Pediatrician, I have been examined multiple times and have been asked Med Hx questions in a way that would have earned that examiner an F when I was taught basic exam skills. The commitment to continuity and the understanding of what constitutes excellence is simply gone.
More upsetting is that because the institutional knowledge has dissipated, the newbies have no idea what it was like.
The pandemic has broken the system's back by accelerating the person-power loss. RNs, PAs, NPs and MDs are leaving in droves - and the extraordinary push of deniers to question the basic value of expertise has meant that years of hard-won study and knowledge are treated with contempt. My colleagues and I are simply gob-smacked when people who hardly know high school biology claim to have more information and insight than we.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2214120
We currently live 1/2-time in Mexico, and the quality of devotion and care is quite superior to the U.S. Here, physicians make house calls. (!) If you are injured or sick, they meet you at the E.R. They are reasonably well trained. And the costs are remarkably low. For example, the cost of a CT scan here is about $250. That is the COPAY for a CT under Medicare....
I wish I could offer reassurance....but I can't see how it will get better when there is no longer a shared commitment to truth and science.
Sobering, indeed. Thank you for a lifetime of service.
My brother spends half-time in Argentina for the same reason and says the same things about their level of care compared to US. Arrgghh!
I am so glad that Mj is feeling better and you were able to finally get the care they needed. I hope that you all get the rest you need tonight.
I am so sorry for what your family experienced; unfortunately, it is a story that is being repeated over and over. I personally waited 8-1/2 hours in the ER to have a CT Scan for a severe, painful bout of diverticulitis. There were many empty rooms in the ER, but they just don't have the staff. All medical people seem to be very discouraged. Michael Moore had it right in Fahrenheit 911 many years ago; we need a single payer system. Our healthcare system is broken and is being run by insurance companies who only look at their profits.
It's true. Totally.
OMG. What a story. It's both shocking and not at all surprising. Our health care system reminds me of the NYS Democratic Party -- sclerotic and dysfunctional. (I don't blame the doctors and nurses at all. It's structural.) I'm glad that Mj finally got treatment they should have gotten initially.
Good description! Thanks for that!
Oh Jess
What a horrible experience for the 3 of you especially MJ. You are right the healthcare system is in need of a major renovation. I’m relieved to read that they are doing okay. As a mother I know how frightening it is to see our children in pain. It’s our job to protect them.
Take care…all of you.
Sincerely
Stephanie Schulman
Thanks, Stephanie.
I don’t know anybody who hasn’t experienced something similar to what your family just went through. Our healthcare system is very broken. I hope Mj recovers quickly and fully.
Thank you!
Recently had a similar nightmare experience in an ER. Waited 3 days for a hospital room due to overcrowding. Some of it in a cold tent. Some in a hallway on a gurney and 2 nights in a make shift area made of dividers with no access to a bathroom, just a commode. This was in an affluent community that Im sure has no idea this is going on.
OMG
I’m so so sorry and sadly not surprised. We are broken by our profit-driven system.
Exactly.
That is a shocking story, even though I have had similar long waits in the ER with my husband. I can't imagine having to wait that long-- in vain-- with a child whose injury was so severe. I'm glad it worked out once you got them to the urgent care center, but you're right, you were luckier than a lot of people living in places where hospitals are few and far between, and a long wait to be seen could be a matter of life or death. Our system really is broken. It needs urgent care!
It does!
I’m so so sorry!! My heart goes out to you and your family❤️
Devastating. Brought tears to my eyes. So grateful that MJ finally got the proper care. And so sorry that you and your family had to endure this (often at times of most need) dehumanizing health care system here in the US. Demoralizing.
Yep.
I'm sorry you experienced the situation in the ER. Yes, our healthcare system is broken. Unfortunately, it has been for some time.
UGH. Sorry. Stories like this and worse all over the country.
Indeed.
Jessica - so sorry that Mj had to experience this trauma and that you & your husband had to try to manage the situation. For a relatively simple medical event! If it’s this bad for people with access and insurance, imagine what a nightmare it is for those without those benefits. Our system is broken - it’s up to us to make noise and get it changed. I hope that Mj heals quickly.
I had a similar injury years ago and the pain is stunning!! I remember it too well and ache for them. I shake my fist at this. Unnecessary suffering, truly abhorrent.
Thank you, Laurie.
Thank you Janie. And I agree!
So grateful Mj, and mom and dad, are ok.Thank you for sharing this painful ,on so many levels, experience.
On another day I’ll share about an org trying to change it all…
Sending 💙 and healing thoughts.
Oh, I would very much like to hear about that
https://pnhp.org/