Regarding “Health Care Shortages Problematic” (Jan. 27) and similar articles: It is getting harder to acquire doctors and nurses and people fear getting sick.
Instead of scientific knowledge making people healthier and medical care cheaper, “health care” focuses on end-stage medical treatment, which is heroic intervention: the most difficult, and expensive way to treat disease. That is not ‘health care,’ but ‘sickness care.’ Where is a better way?
• Mandate preventive treatment components
Because it reduces the likelihood of success, most dentists will not place dental implants in people who smoke. Perhaps our medical system should reward patients demonstrating responsible self-care, or at least not self-sabotage. Imagine “health care” with coverage options for preventive treatments like naturopathy, acupuncture, dietetics, etc.?
• Create hospital oversight
Several clients confessed of dismal local hospital experiences when seeking help for serious, acute conditions. Being ignored, verbally or physically abused by hospital medical staff makes them terrified to return, or to speak out, for fear of being labelled a ‘troublemaker’ and being left to die if it comes to it. The usual multiple-hours of wait seem odd for a small-town emergency facility. Who oversees hospital client care to ensure people receive safe and timely treatment?
• Increase access to oral care
Increasingly British Columbians are foregoing dentistry, for cost, fear, or fear of costs as cost of living rises faster than income, so doctors provide painkillers, antibiotics and emergency departments see dental causes they can’t treat.
Access to basic dental maintenance improves population health. Dental hygiene practitioners can help almost everyone, accept insurance, offer plans for those without, work with all dentists and open early mornings, evenings and Saturdays.
How can we help?
Liz-Ann Munro Lamarre,Dental hygiene practitioner
