NH-Viking

Well, as I suspected, there are many of you as disgusted with non-compliance as I am. Collectively, I think it is time to make this more of an issue. If we don't, it will drain the system dry. Allnurses.com is a great place to start. If we keep this going, maybe the media and government will take notice. Expect resistance from hospitals, the industry, and doctors. Non-compliant patients are the bread and butter of health care economics. In addition, try posting your views on http://www.turkeytrail.com. I did. IT'S TIME TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE! Mark

In general, the issue of non-compliance is consisitently found in the well-insured. Think about how often you have seen this. Also consider this. Auto insurance companies make adjustments according to one's driving record, good or bad. Life Insurance companies make adjustments according to one's habits and behaviors, good or bad. Maybe it is time for health insurance companies to apply some of the same adjustments to those who truly don't intend to participate in their own well-being, and at the same time reward those who work hard at maintaining or restoring good health. Psycho-babble aside, there is a large contingent of the American population who will soak the system for what they can, and not take any personal responsibility.

In my last posting I meant to say that this turkeytrail site is not a busy site. Sorry for the confusion.

Seems like we all are concerned. If you think about it, the whole system is dependent upon non-compliance. If the same people didn't keep returning to ERs, hospital beds and offices with the same problems, we wouldn't have much to do. I did find a website called TurkeyTrail.com. The author of this is looking for stories of non-compliance. It is a busy site but there are a couple of good examples. Let's talk this up some more!

Thanks for your responses. You all bring up valid points. Perhaps if I pointed out examples, it would be helpful. The "patients" I refer to are diagnosed with disease and simply not interested in taking responsibility for their health. We've seen this in many socio-economic ranges. I've seen white-collar workers who continue to smoke, over-eat and not take their Rx's after a CABG. Those with diabetes who use diet and insulin to control their sugar when they "feel like it". COPD and asthma patients who state they will "never" quit smoking. I'm sure you are understanding now. Those who are truly ignorant of what they should be doing need our help. Those who are not, why waste the time and money? Give it to those who can't afford it, but will remain compliant. The well-insured are the worst abusers, but unfortunately these are the bread and butter of the health care industry. We all know patients who suck the system dry.

Anyone interested in talking about how much patient non-compliance sucks the health care system dry of resources? You know, those folks who won't take care of themselves yet expect us to bail them out when they get into trouble. Maybe it's time to consider a movement towards rationed health care based upon compliance. Ask yourself this; why spend the resources and time taking care of those who won't take care of themselves? There are a lot of folks out there who will if the time and resources were directed towards them. Feedback?