If you’ve been reading my blog for long, you surely know that I have strong opinions. My biggest is the freedom to make choices regarding your health care. Who you see. How you manage your family’s health. To understand all your options out there. To be educated so you can make proper choices.
Many years ago, I stopped watching television for two reasons, only one matters here – all the prescription commercials with the super tiny writing of all the bad things that medication could cause. Why would you take a heart medication that is touted to make you healthier, only to read the fine print that says, “may cause death”???? Um. No.
I’ve talked about my journey within Naturopathy and how it started with my daughter. Short recap, she was severely depressed, and I feared for her life at age 15. When I broke down and took her to a psychologist, within 5 minutes I was told she needed to be medicated – WITH DRUGS THAT INCREASED HER CHANCES OF COMMITTING SUICIDE! Um. No.. H. E. Double hockey sticks. NO.
On that day, my life changed, and I took back control of how my family looked at healthcare. Rather than be reactive, we were proactive. I took an active role in how we handled health related issues in our home. I became an avid researcher. I became a naturopath. I studied and we changed. I learned some very scary statistics and my eyes were opened.
Do you know?
- Doctors in training are offered one week of nutrition education while in medical school.
- Medical schools in the US are owned by pharmaceutical companies.
- Medical doctors are paid to push pills.
- 4 in 10 patience are harmed in primary and outpatient healthcare.
- 80% of harm is preventable.
- Medical errors are third-leading cause of death in the US.
- 10% of all US deaths are due to medical errors.
- The US has the highest cost for healthcare but is ranked at the bottom of the top industrialized nations in the world.
- The US life expectancy has declined nearly a year since 2020.
If you do not take an active role in your own healthcare system, nothing will change and you or someone you love will become a statistic. You must understand your rights and exert them when necessary.
Patient Autonomy. The right of patients to make decisions about their medical care without their health care provider trying to influence the decision. Patient autonomy does allow for health care providers to educate the patient but does not allow the health care provider to make the decision for the patient.
If you do not feel that your medical practitioner understands your desires, or agrees with them, it may be time to find another one that you can trust to give you all your options and accepts that you are the one making the final decisions not him / her. Ask lots of questions. Ensure that you understand your options. Ask for time to review and research on your own. As for a second opinion if you don’t agree with their recommendation.
Recommended reading: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/take-control-of-your-health-care-exert-your-patient-autonomy-2018050713784
More recommended reading: https://www.verywellhealth.com/patients-rights-2615387
In the world we live in, it is extremely important that you exert your will. As an example, if you were admitted to the hospital today, would you consent to any type of treatment? Even one that may artificially extend your life? How about one that would shorten it? How about perform unnecessary treatments that are not founded in science?
What do you want as a patient? What type of care do you want to receive? Do you follow allopathic or naturopathic practices? Have you discussed these items with your practitioner? Are you in alignment? Make sure you stand up for your family’s healthcare and find a practitioner that agrees.
Make the best choices you can for your family.
Blessings ~ E