For BLOG #3, discuss the ethical issues presented in the PBS Frontline Documentary, "Sick Around America." You can access the documentary at:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundamerica/
Before I made the decision to have my gallbladder removed on February 19, 2013, I had to consider financial factors. I know the operation was necessary and although I do have health insurance through my employer, I knew there was going to be some out of pocket expense. Thankfully, my out of pocket expense was affordable which in turn makes me extremely grateful for the awesome health insurance my employer offers me. However, I know this is not the case for everyone and If I was uninsured, I probably would not have been able to afford the operation which was medically needed to relieve my awful gallbladder attacks. My aunt who also suffers from gallbladder disease, it unable to get the operation done because she is uninsured. The expense for such an operation is quite expensive and it is really unfortunate to have to see people in this country suffer medically because they are unable to afford health insurance/care.
After watching "Sick Around America", my thoughts about our broken health care system was absolutely intensified. People in our country are dying because they are unable to afford health care services. These big time health insurance companies are violating many ethical lines that need to be stopped. These companies should not deny people health care coverage because they have pre-existing conditions. They should not constantly be monitoring people's health insurance claims/records and then telling them that their services will not be covered and that they are officially dropped from the policy. The insured and uninsured individual should not be subjected to such things, we should not have to suffer medically because health care costs are through the roof.
These companies cross the line everyday and they even provide bonuses to their employers that save them the most money by finding a reason to drop the individuals they cover. In essence, ethically the lines are being crossed as our health care coverages are being denied due to pre-existing conditions, our security and privacy of health information is being violated, and intentional "mistakes" are causing people their lives. I think everyone should stop fighting the health care reform our country is currently trying to implement as we evidently need the change before it is too late.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
Blog #2
For BLOG #2, discuss your thoughts on the end-of-life issues such as death and euthanasia presented in the PBS Frontline Documentary, "Facing Death." You can access the documentary at:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/facing-death/
When you work in emergency services, you are bound to be face to face with near death or death situations. After a while, you learn to deflect the emotions attached with such situations in an attempt to protect yourself. Unfortunately, there are times where you inevitably get emotionally involved with certain patients and that in itself can be a difficult experience to navigate. After watching the documentary, "Facing Death", I was overloaded with powerful emotions that made me think about what I would do if i was faced with death.
I think what surprised me the most about this documentary was that fact that every single patient that was featured had extreme perseverance. They wanted to survive and they wanted to test every possible outlet available to them and that in itself is very powerful. Then you come across individuals who want to end the pain and suffering and you can't help but to feel compassion in both scenarios. As mentioned in the documentary, " no one wants to die, no one wants to die horribly". I agree with that statement 100 percent and I think a large part of the medical community, patients, and family believe in that statement as well. Everyone involved in end-of-life issues go through a difficult time. Doctors have to tell patients and their families that they have either come to the end of the road or that they have to end life sustaining treatments. Doctors are faced with the burden of the "unknown" because patients can either improve or not after treatment is stopped. Families are burdened with making life and death decisions for their loved one's if they are unable to communicate. The patient is burdened with the "what if" situations if they don't try a treatment that could potentially save their lives.
In essence, the documentary was very powerful and I definitely had strong emotions (and tears). Ultimately, I think the patient has the right to choose when to die as I think it is an extension of the patients autonomy. I think the patient has the right because he/she is the one going through the pain and suffering. I also back up patients who want to go through every possible available outlet to prolong their life. Even though these type of situations are extremely sad, at the end of the day , i believe the patients wishes should be respected and honored.
When you work in emergency services, you are bound to be face to face with near death or death situations. After a while, you learn to deflect the emotions attached with such situations in an attempt to protect yourself. Unfortunately, there are times where you inevitably get emotionally involved with certain patients and that in itself can be a difficult experience to navigate. After watching the documentary, "Facing Death", I was overloaded with powerful emotions that made me think about what I would do if i was faced with death.
I think what surprised me the most about this documentary was that fact that every single patient that was featured had extreme perseverance. They wanted to survive and they wanted to test every possible outlet available to them and that in itself is very powerful. Then you come across individuals who want to end the pain and suffering and you can't help but to feel compassion in both scenarios. As mentioned in the documentary, " no one wants to die, no one wants to die horribly". I agree with that statement 100 percent and I think a large part of the medical community, patients, and family believe in that statement as well. Everyone involved in end-of-life issues go through a difficult time. Doctors have to tell patients and their families that they have either come to the end of the road or that they have to end life sustaining treatments. Doctors are faced with the burden of the "unknown" because patients can either improve or not after treatment is stopped. Families are burdened with making life and death decisions for their loved one's if they are unable to communicate. The patient is burdened with the "what if" situations if they don't try a treatment that could potentially save their lives.
In essence, the documentary was very powerful and I definitely had strong emotions (and tears). Ultimately, I think the patient has the right to choose when to die as I think it is an extension of the patients autonomy. I think the patient has the right because he/she is the one going through the pain and suffering. I also back up patients who want to go through every possible available outlet to prolong their life. Even though these type of situations are extremely sad, at the end of the day , i believe the patients wishes should be respected and honored.
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