My view from a different university

My name is Adam and I was asked by Rachel to comment on this blog concerning outpatient and primary care. I am currently a student at Argosy University in Eagan, MN, working toward a degree in Vascular Ultrasound.

Health care reform is a major topic in today's society. With the rise of insurance premiums and the loss of jobs across the country, outpatient clinics are being utilized more often than ever. A major reform that needs to happen in my opinion is reduction of costs. We all know that health care is not cheap, and it is getting more expensive. As people lose employment and subsequently lose their insurance, the cost of any care that is required is often passed onto those who have health insurance in the form of higher premiums. Both the hospital setting and the outpatient clinics need to be able to offer affordable care to those who need it.

As I have been learning in my studies at Argosy, insurance companies are reimbursing less and less to the hospitals for exams performed, such as ultrasounds or stress tests. In order to earn enough money, more and more exams are being crammed into normal work days. I have learned that an ultrasound technician in a busy hospital can perform twenty or more exams in a given day! What does this mean for patients and for health care workers? Health care providers are having to having to work faster and harder, while patients are getting less time with the providers or technicians.

Reimbursing is also becoming less for primary doctors. Doctors are spending much less time with their patients then ever before because they cannot afford to spend too long with one person. The doctors get the same amount of money per visit, regardless if it is then minutes or an hour. It is unfortunate that our health care system has become more about the money than it is about how well we care for our friends, family, any who put their trust in us.

Another major reform that needs to be made in my mind is the elimination of referrals. In my studies, we have learned that many health care clinics require a written referral from a primary doctor in order to have specific exams completed. This forces people to have to make multiple appointments and pay multiple co-pays in order to get the test they want or to see a specialist. Many people need to see specialists multiple times, and in doing so they have to see their regular doctors time and time again when it really isn't necessary. Outpatient clinics help with the increased speed of some exams, but more change is necessary.

Finally, with the increased in computer technology, computerized charts are a must. Many health care facilities are switching from the paper chart to an electronic one, but this needs to happen on a national level. Electronic charts make the transfer of information from one provider to another so much quicker and more efficient. Providers, doctors, technicians, anyone who is involved with the care of a patient has instant access to all the patients information, allowing them to make better decisions concerning the patients plan of care. Outpatient clinics and hospitals can all be linked together and create a great environment for care giving.

Health care reform is no small task. It requires not only changes from the administrations, but also from those of us who are physically working with the patients. We need to be efficient with our time so we can care for as many people as possible, but we also need to take the time to make sure people are happy with our care giving. I have learned that patient interaction is so important to the success of care giving, and we as health care providers need to focus on making each patients visit as pleasant and efficient as possible.