Being a hospitalized patient is perhaps one of the most disempowering experiences an individual can face (besides being in war, or a prisoner). Patients face constant uncertainty; having no idea what time their physician will visit, when they will be taken for their tests, or who will suddenly interrupt them again with a demand – perhaps an early morning blood draw, or yet another round of interrogation and uncomfortable examination (by students, trainees, and consultants).
One would imagine that hospitals would feel like safe havens with good-hearted nurses, physicians, and other health care professionals nurturing patients and ensuring their every need is met. One would imagine that, however — despite marketing claims by hospitals — the reality is a lot more complicated. Despite million-dollar lobby makeovers and smiling faces of hospital staff on billboards, patients don’t feel like enough attention is paid.
In many instances patients are correct. The simple truth is that there is a pervasive “profits over patients” ethos in modern medicine that contributes to suboptimal patient care regardless of institution. Health care professionals constantly find themselves overworked and understaffed, and their employers seem to get away with this because despite health care being a heavily regulated industry, there is no oversight of the moment-to-moment management of patients.
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