People are being medically treated as though they exist in a vault. Care is delivered for that moment in time only. I call this: silos of care. Silos apply to both locations where care is delivered and the specialties of care.
Although much of your time is spent filling out reams of paperwork when you see a new medical specialist, you arrive and the new practitioner focuses exclusively on their one area of specialty. Your cardiologist looks at your heart. Your orthopedist looks at your bones. And so it goes.
To neutralize this situation, be sure to have an advocate who pays attention to your whole body, your whole environment. If you are strong and healthy and can focus on the whole picture, then you can be your own advocate.
However, if you are ill or frail or emotional about your medical situation, then bring an advocate with you for appointments regarding your health. Have that person arrive with you, along with a list of your concerns and priorities. Make sure your advocate takes notes and guides the medical practitioner to look at the whole of you, not simply their field of expertise. How will their solution impact the whole of you?
The same guidance applies to silos of care: hospital, nursing facility, rehab facility, etc. No matter what facility is providing care, you will likely be returning to home. Planning is required for continuity of care. You may need new equipment, a different form of follow-up, or more care. Never allow anyone to dump you on the curb unprepared for the next step. If everything is not in order, press hard on the brake to slow the process.
Take heed of the warning. Explore what lies beyond the silo of the moment. Think broad; look ahead. Most of us require assistance so eagerly welcome an advocate to be your partner in health.
Stop the silos!
