Smart medicine for clever patients

two and a half years, plagued regulators Neumüller* pain suddenly, belly and digestive problems. The doctor noted increased inflammation values, and ordered a computer tomography. In the pictures the shadows were to be seen in the lower abdomen to. Where they came from, but it was unclear. The 60-year-old woman was admitted to an emergency station. It is a week long investigation, the staggered-in panic followed.

Finally, a specialist advised her strongly to surgery, and gave her an appointment. Because of cancer suspicion, the uterus and ovaries need to be removed, told he her – although not all of the investigations were completed. As later results were less scary, the doctor said that he wanted to operate on anyway. The frightened woman agreed. "In this several weeks, the duration of the alarm condition, I could hardly think more clearly," she recalls. But to came up home a doubt. The doctor was not available during the holidays and for questions. When she wanted to seek another specialist for a second opinion, he reacted angrily. He is not going to fall for his colleague in the back, was the answer.

On the Morning of the surgery, the patient was able to bring your uncertainty in the short to language. However, the surgeon informed her that it was now too late to back out now. During surgery, it turned out that it was an ingrown fibroid – a relatively harmless and benign growth on the uterus. "I felt hollowed out unnecessarily and mutilated," says Regula Neumüller. You will not be rid of the idea that the private hospital had free capacity, and mainly for financial reasons, wanted to operate. "I have the impression that I filled a gap."

Up to 30 percent unnecessary

regulators Neumüller is semi-private insurance. Persons operated on with an additional insurance more frequently and, in addition, longer in the hospital be kept as a General Insured, a study by the Federal office for the health from 2016. Particularly large are the differences in procedures on the knee joint, surgery of the cataract and the removal of nails and plates after the repair of a bone fracture are. The latter would not be always necessary and may be associated with complications. Also tests with a cardiac catheterization be performed in the case of privately insured twice as often as in the case of people who have only a basic insurance.

Now wants to give the campaign "Smarter Medicine" against the tax. "Up to 30 percent of all treatments are unnecessary," said Daniel Scheidegger, President of the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences, which has launched the campaign with the Swiss society for General Internal medicine , and other organizations. Reliable studies from Switzerland it is not, give a grant of Emeritus Professor of anesthesiology Professor. But backrest to Figures from the US, where a recently published comparative study has caused a stir.

"The incentives in our health system are clearly set wrong."Daniel Scheidegger, President of the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences

This is expensive, especially, but also for health reasons of concern, says Scheidegger. "Any intervention in the body can pull complications." In individual cases, it was to prove difficult, however, that a treatment was unnecessary. Because, of course, Doctors should always a serious medical condition in consideration. You overlooked something Serious, could this have for the patient, with tragic consequences, and also the reputation of the physician damage, he explains. Therefore, some Doctors were better too careful than to take a risk. And if the complaints have a relatively harmless cause, one could say that it is often only after surgery.

Scheidegger want any of his colleagues that they perform aware of unnecessary tests or therapies , in order to enrich themselves. The thing the course much more subtle, he says. Sometimes, on the part of a hospital, the gentle pressure, the expensive investigation of utilization equipment or to reach the Minimum number of cases, so the permit is not withdrawn for a particular Operation exists, for example. "The incentives in the health system are clearly set wrong," stresses Scheidegger. Often patients will not urge yourself on medical procedures, because you will otherwise feel being taken seriously.

In the framework of the "Smarter Medicine" are called the various medical societies now, five treatments from your Department list, which would be often unnecessary. In addition, binding recommendations for Doctors formulated, and patients are to be empowered to make informed decisions.

more useful

to evaluate The promotion of health competence is also an important objective of the Canton of Zurich. A survey of 1000 people was conducted last year, found that over half expressed an effort to evaluate health information in a meaningful way. You have difficulty Prior to Assess the advantages and disadvantages of various treatment options and the Benefits of screening. Many also can't judge how trustworthy information from the media.

To get a similar result, Swiss-wide studies. The program health literacy Zurich in the population, but also of the organisations and professionals. The latter should learn to convey information in a way that you understand-even for patients with little education. A program of the half-Canton of Basel-city already operates. With brochures he wants to support the population to have physical complaints to the correct place, information from the Internet to be classified and a suitable health insurance select.

before the Would be regulators of Neumüller today again surgery, would you insist on a second opinion. Also helpful, the cafe would have been for you Med, the Academy of human medicine operates in different cities: In a Café, Doctors offer free medical consultations. "I know, unfortunately, too late," regrets. After the surgery, she felt weakened for months, suffered from cough and lack of voice. Intubation, aftermath of you suspected. The patient processed the emotionally stressful experience using a shrink. Today, it is but right.

* the Name has been changed

On Monday, 25. November, 17.15 will take place in the parish centre fond of women, wine, mountain-Strasse 36, Zurich, an event with the theme: "Competent by the health the jungle". www.gesundheitsfoerderung-zh.ch

Created: 17.11.2019, 19:38 PM