State of the healthcare system in America: Let's discuss why it's failing

I honestly don't understand why there is such an intense pressure on doctors to be infallible. They aren't omnipotent beings, after all. If they make a mistake, sure, there should be accountability, but we have to allow for some margin of error. It’s actually in the best interest of the medical community to have that breathing room; otherwise, patients will constantly be hunting for second opinions, which just ends up clogging up the entire healthcare system.

In short, it serves the doctors to have a system where mistakes aren't treated as absolute failures—sometimes, they just need the grace to be human.

Gary Martinez2 said:I honestly don't understand why there is such an intense pressure on doctors to be infallible. They aren't omnipotent beings, after all. If they make a mistake, sure, there should be accountability, but we have to allow for some margin of error. It’s actually in the best interest of the medical community to have that breathing room; otherwise, patients will constantly be hunting for second opinions, which just ends up clogging up the entire healthcare system.

In short, it serves the doctors to have a system where mistakes aren't treated as absolute failures—sometimes, they just need the grace to be human.

And I also think doctors should be permitted to consult with a colleague—whether they name them or not—without violating patient confidentiality.

Well, I wouldn't dare :"Whatever I happen to learn or witness through my work—or even just out there on the streets when dealing with people—things that aren't meant for public consumption, I'll keep them under wraps and hold that secret close. THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH

A woman living in my apartment building is a nurse and a head nurse at a major hospital in Washington, D.C.

So many neighbors end up confiding in her about their health issues. They go for checkups where she works, and some have been seeing doctors in her department for years.
Everything people tell her—all those little details she picks up at work—she ends up sharing with folks in the building. She tells some more, some less, but she always talks.

Even with people she barely knows, just a polite nod in the hallway, if they visit that hospital, she’ll be telling others what’s going on with them.

It’s subtle, too. She won't start a conversation specifically about someone, but she’ll slip a tiny comment or a single sentence into a random chat.

There's no way I'm ever going to that hospital. If I do, I know all hundred people in this building will find out my business. And then comes the constant phone calls. She's the one who starts it all.

Laura Cox5 said:Well, I wouldn't dare :"Whatever I happen to learn or witness through my work—or even just out there on the streets when dealing with people—things that aren't meant for public consumption, I'll keep them under wraps and hold that secret close. THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH

Hmm, okay, but as far as I'm concerned, they're allowed to do that—though obviously, not when it comes to me.

Johns Hopkins Hospital ER... we've got a guy there who's already survived four heart attacks—running a sky-high pulse, sharp chest pains, struggling to even catch his breath—and he was sent straight to the emergency department by Lockheed Martin... yet he sat there waiting for over two hours before finally being admitted to observation, all after three frantic pleas at the intake desk. Honestly, I have nothing but questions about how they actually define their triage priority levels. 👎

Jason Grant85 said:Johns Hopkins Hospital ER... we've got a guy there who's already survived four heart attacks—running a sky-high pulse, sharp chest pains, struggling to even catch his breath—and he was sent straight to the emergency department by Lockheed Martin... yet he sat there waiting for over two hours before finally being admitted to observation, all after three frantic pleas at the intake desk. Honestly, I have nothing but questions about how they actually define their triage priority levels. 👎

I’ve had similar experiences everywhere in this dysfunctional country. What can you do? Unless you have the kind of power required to actually fix a nation—which most people don't—you just have to deal with it. If I were you, I'd suggest looking for ways to move somewhere you're actually treated like a human being.

Jason Grant85 said:Johns Hopkins Hospital ER... we've got a guy there who's already survived four heart attacks—running a sky-high pulse, sharp chest pains, struggling to even catch his breath—and he was sent straight to the emergency department by Lockheed Martin... yet he sat there waiting for over two hours before finally being admitted to observation, all after three frantic pleas at the intake desk. Honestly, I have nothing but questions about how they actually define their triage priority levels. 👎

Look, I'm no big shot or anything, but speaking from experience with the ER at Johns Hopkins Hospital, I usually get seen within 15 or 20 minutes. Sure, once they draw your blood and check your pressure there might be a wait, but everything really just boils down to whatever diagnosis they pin on you. It’s all totally different depending on the case. Besides, I actually survived two strokes in a single day thanks to the staff over at Johns Hopkins Hospital. And don't forget, everything is under video surveillance. It's not like I saw anyone flatlining in the waiting room or anything.

At the ER, you’re mostly just waiting around, though at least they manage to run the essential tests.

The bigger issue is that because the waitlists are so massive, even basic screenings can't be handled through the standard channels. To many doctors, we’re little more than inconveniences to be cleared out as quickly as possible—especially if you aren't bringing in any significant revenue.

If someone actually cares about their health, their only real option is going private. Which is quite something in a country facing chronic budget shortages.

In this corrupt nation, absolutely no part of society is functioning properly, and the healthcare system is a prime example. To put things into perspective, let's look at a comparison between the medical systems in Canada and the US. In Canada, there are 300 doctors per 100,000 residents, and the mortality rate is 950 deaths per 100,000 people. Meanwhile, in the US, there are 390 doctors per 100,000 residents, yet the mortality rate climbs to 1,300.