"Diagnosis" highlights how U.S. patients can manage their care in creative ways—especially when traditional methods fail.
As TV tastes shift from sitcoms and medical melodramas to "reality" programming, it's no surprise that Netflix's new docuseries, Diagnosis, has risen in popularity. The show, based on The New York Times Magazine column of the same name, highlights individuals with rare or difficult-to-diagnosis conditions. The show draws viewers in with real-life stories and medical mysteries while simultaneously (and subtly) educating the public on how to navigate the complex U.S. health care system.
Hosted by Dr. Lisa Sanders, the column's writer, Diagnosis highlights how U.S. patients can manage their care in creative ways—especially when traditional methods fail and when the U.S. health care system makes it difficult to get the care they need. Diagnosis features seven stories, each showcasing important trends, lessons and challenges that most consumers experience when navigating today's health care landscape. Here are a few that health care pros and consumers alike can look out for:
1. Crowdsourcing diagnoses on the internet sounds suspicious but can be a cost-effective option. In fact, it's not a far cry from online communities such as PatientsLikeMe. By connecting with other doctors and members of the medical community, as well as individuals sharing the same or similar symptoms, patients can often reach a diagnosis faster by identifying areas of focus. Not only can this bring faster relief of symptoms (or even a cure), but by reaching a solution more quickly, patients can save themselves—and their health plans—money on unnecessary or ineffective tests and treatments.
2. It's critical to weigh the alternatives. Sometimes patients must choose among multiple treatment options. In some cases, treatments might even be worse than the actual condition being treated. For example, certain medications can have severe side effects—even resulting in other serious health conditions. Patients must understand if there are other options so they can make an educated choice.
3. Remember: patients are their own best advocates. They know their bodies (or their children's bodies) better than anyone else. In fact, a Mayo Clinic study shows that than 20 percent of patients who sought a second opinion at one of the nation's premier medical institutions had been misdiagnosed by their primary care providers. If a doctor's diagnosis doesn't feel right, patients should question it. If another avenue makes more sense, they should pursue it.
4. Second, third and fourth opinions are recommended—even if patients don't have a rare or mysterious condition. Doctors won't be, and shouldn't be, offended—in fact, doctors seek other opinions themselves as part of the diagnostic process. The same Mayo Clinic study shows that as many as 88 percent of patients who seek a second opinion before treatment for a complex condition go home with a new or refined diagnosis—changing their care plan and potentially their lives. Conversely, only 12 percent receive confirmation that the original diagnosis was complete and correct.
5. Patients with rare or unusual disorders are being squeezed by the health care system. Individuals with rare illnesses often face the choice of pursuing treatment—and risking bankruptcy because they can't afford the testing, appointments and medications required—or continuing to suffer. Diagnosis showcases the need to address this unfair choice in the U.S. health care system. While Italy's approach of universal coverage with mostly free treatment—as shown in the first episode—may be a bit radical for the U.S., we clearly need a viable alternative to the current health system.
6. Medical tourism is a viable option. Popular in the early 2000s, medical tourism—traveling overseas to receive less-costly care—is growing again. In fact, the Global Medical Tourism Market is expected to reach $226.7 billion by 2023. As Diagnosis shows, U.S. consumers (even those without mystery illnesses) can benefit from the research, testing and treatment available overseas.
Today's health care system is increasingly complex and difficult to navigate, even for healthy consumers. Surprise medical bills, rising drug prices (particularly among specialty medications), hospital closures and long waiting times to get appointments with specialists make it harder than ever for patients to get the care they need, especially at a price that is affordable and fair.
As Diagnosis shows, becoming an educated health care consumer is critical for anyone. Becoming familiar with your body, your health and your health plan (if applicable), and learning how to advocate for yourself within the health care system can help you resolve health issues more quickly and, ideally, cost-effectively. Employers, too, can be proactive in helping their employees by offering the right resources to understand and procure care—whether by offering medical tourism as a feature of their plan designs, or providing transparency services and advocates to help employees choose procedures and treatments under their plans, and manage their claims and bills.
The more that employers can provide support for their employees in their daily lives, the less individuals will have to resort to writing into a New York Times Magazine columnist—hopefully.
Kim Buckey is vice president of client services at DirectPath.
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