What's Wrong with Healthcare?

Thinking inside and outside of the healthcare box. After 41 years of family practice, what's happened to Canada's healthcare system?

Friday, December 21, 2007

Gore Saves Canada's Healthcare System

Is it possible that more than 50% of Canadians have some type of a generalized anxiety disorder, or for that matter, a specific anxiety disorder? With healthcare in Canada failing on any scale we wish to implement, and this having a direct impact on their lives NOW, the majority of Canadians would seem to think global warming should be out number one priority. Without getting into the debate about humans’ contribution to global warming and the various discussions that rage in the MSNM (mostly with the theme that we are in crises mode) I am continually reminded of the patients I have cared for over the years that felt they were in crises for one reason or another. One patient, some thirty years ago, who believed in numerology, was certain she was going to die because “sevens” lined up in a particular way. Well, the day came and went and she is alive and well today. Many patients present with the “feeling” something is terribly wrong and they just can’t put their finger on it. Others have phobias and other groundless worries. One patient scrubbed her shower stall eight times a day to rid it of hidden bacteria; another washed her hands fifty times a day for the same reason. It is estimated that roughly 80% of the office time of family doctors is taken up by 20% of the population, many of their complaints having a strong emotional component.
So my question again is “Has the MSNM and some clever/far-sighted/brilliant/opportunistic group basically yelled “fire” in a crowded building and compiled all these generalized, specific, and vague anxiety disorders into one huge mammoth anxiety disorder specifically pertaining to global warming? Is it further possible, then, that visits to physicians, subsequent investigations for non-existing diseases, and therefore costs, could dramatically drop if Prime Minister Harper addressed global warming to everyone’s satisfaction? He could SAVE our Healthcare System and the planet! That’s it! The MSNM, Al Gore, Suzuki and the boys are saving our Universal Healthcare system. Who would have known; brilliant! Give Al another “Nobel Something” prize.

2 Comments:

Blogger michie said...

This concept reminds me of one of the speeches we had to do in Toastmasters. The objective was to "Make It Persuasive." In 5-7 minutes we were to present a talk that persuades the audience to accept your proposal or viewpoint; to achieve this persuasive effect by appealing to the audience's self-interest, building a logical foundation for agreement, and arousing emotional commitment to your cause.

I distinctly remember that if a speaker didn't have an emotional pull to the speech, there wasn't much of a pull at all. It didn't matter how many rational facts they outlined.

Sound familiar? Looks like Toastmasters was right, you really do need all of those aspects -- logic, self-interest, emotional appeal -- in order to make your argument persuasive!

22/12/07 10:10 PM  
Blogger Al said...

Hahaha! Well, aaahhh, I'm not sure that you're saying I did that, or should have done that, or are suggesting I not write anything more until I know HOW to do that. Hahaha. Good one, kiddo!!! I agree with what you were taught in toastmasters. I'll see if I can work towards that end!!!

23/12/07 4:57 PM  

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