U.S. Healthcare is Maggie:
A Girl of the Streets
As fall comes around every year, I always think back to college, where I approached my English and Literature classes with exuberance, eager to explore authors’ word choices, text formats, and literary devices to infer themes. My approach to analyzing and writing about healthcare is deeply influenced by this experience. I remain the same person I was 20 years ago when I fully embraced my liberal arts education, where we weren’t afraid to discuss what truly mattered.
This week, I posted about how two individuals in their 70s had their day ruined at the doctor’s office due to scheduling issues caused by insurance constraints. Please read my post here.
A connection on LinkedIn wrote to me: “I am very curious, as I feel the same way you do, how you maintain optimism and drive after a decade of witnessing events like this. I would love to read anything you recommend. I find myself disheartened quite a bit, particularly in compliance, when I get those ‘So if I just do x, I can bill more?’ questions.“
The big question is: How do we maintain our optimism when we see all the ills of healthcare daily?
We are too aware to ignore what is going on. Angela Gamalski, shared her frustration: “As an over-educated observer, it is so frustrating to see and hear of these types of casual clinical decisions made without much thought to the real-life impact on the people they are serving. In my personal circle, I have observed a number of initial consultations jumping to extreme and potentially life-altering recommendations for newly presenting symptoms (joint replacements, spinal fusion) and splitting up treatments over a week (only for Medicare patients, of course). It’s stomach-churning.”
This brings to mind Stephen Crane’s Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, a novel regarded as the first work of unalloyed naturalism in American fiction. The tragedy of Maggie’s story lies in how the characters are inseparable from their harsh environment, and despite their efforts, they cannot escape their tragic fate. The stark irony of Maggie’s situation—society condemning her while ignoring the systemic issues that led to her downfall—reflects the hypocrisy and judgmental nature of the society depicted in the novel.
Similarly, our healthcare system can feel unescapable, with systemic issues creating barriers that are hard to overcome. At what point do we give up, feeling as trapped as Maggie, or do we find hope and continue working to make things better? Our hope lies in focusing on those who are doing good work and acknowledging that while each individual effort may seem small, together, we can create significant change. This perspective reminds me of a book I read during my freshman year at Rollins College, The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, which highlights how small actions can lead to major impacts.
Maintaining Optimism Amidst Challenges
Amid the pervasive issues in healthcare, maintaining optimism can be challenging but is essential for driving meaningful change. Here’s how we stay motivated:
1- Focusing on Impactful Change: At Advize Health, we are acutely aware of the consequences of inefficiencies and fraud in healthcare. While these issues can be disheartening, we remain motivated by concentrating on the tangible impacts of our work. Each success, whether it’s uncovering fraud or streamlining a process, reaffirms our commitment to making a difference.
2- Celebrating Small Victories: Significant changes often begin with small victories. By acknowledging and celebrating even minor achievements, we reinforce our belief in the possibility of larger-scale transformation. These small wins serve as proof that our efforts are making a difference and encourage us to continue our work.
3- Supporting Each Other: At Advize, we cultivate a culture of support and collaboration. In the face of challenges, we rely on one another for encouragement and shared purpose. This collective strength helps us navigate difficulties and maintain our drive to improve healthcare.
4- Continuous Learning and Adaptation: The healthcare landscape is ever-evolving, and so are we. By staying informed and adaptable, we better address new challenges and seize opportunities for improvement. This proactive approach keeps us optimistic about the future of healthcare.
5- Drawing Inspiration from Literature and Philosophy: Insights from literature and philosophy provide valuable perspectives. They remind us that even in seemingly dire situations, change is possible through perseverance and innovative thinking. Books like The Tipping Point offer examples of how small actions can lead to significant changes, inspiring us to continue our efforts despite the challenges.
Embracing Our Role as Change-Makers
To all who feel disheartened, especially those in compliance, remember that our collective efforts, no matter how small, can create ripples of transformation. We may face an unescapable system with systemic issues, but it is through our resilience and dedication that we can drive meaningful change. By embracing our role as change-makers and recognizing the ripple effects of our efforts, we can build a healthcare system that prioritizes patient well-being over bureaucratic hurdles.
While the challenges in healthcare can be overwhelming, maintaining optimism is about finding purpose in our work and focusing on the positive impacts we can make. By staying committed to our mission and celebrating every step forward, we turn our frustrations into fuel for progress. Together, we can make a difference and build a better healthcare system for everyone.
By Jeanmarie Loria
CEO, Advize Health