Attacking "managed care" in my secondary??

[derf]

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The question asked to write on the most significant issue facing the med profession over the next 40 years. I chose the problem of managed care and literally and systematically shredded it to pieces. You guys think I should just state the problem (i.e., physician restraints, etc) instead of giving an opinion on the subject (i.e., profoundly unethical).

I don't want to portray the image that I may be incapable of assimilating to a profession that demands compliance since I attacked the health care field for the overt and covert transgressions against patients.

 

[IndyZX]

Managed care is on its way out, and really doesn't have any friends anywhere. Somehow, there will be changes, because people will demand it.

But, talking about the changing nature of healthcare is probably always a safe topic. I'd go with the latter route of "working through restraints", by the way.

 

[WatchingWaiting]

The question asked to write on the most significant issue facing the med profession over the next 40 years. I chose the problem of managed care and literally and systematically shredded it to pieces. You guys think I should just state the problem (i.e., physician restraints, etc) instead of giving an opinion on the subject (i.e., profoundly unethical).

I don't want to portray the image that I may be incapable of assimilating to a profession that demands compliance since I attacked the health care field for the overt and covert transgressions against patients.

They don't ask you this question because they want a non-controversial response. But, make sure your answer indicates that you are thoughtful and have considered both sides of the issue. In its heyday, managed care was extremely popular and trendy (everyone believed it was the future and the way that rising medical costs would be controlled). Unless you think everyone who was following that trend was a *****, there are no doubt at least some things that give managed care an appeal or seem, on paper, to be nice. Thus, you should provide at least some coverage of potential positives, even if you ultimately show them to be false or not to have panned out.

 

[bewitched1081]

The question asked to write on the most significant issue facing the med profession over the next 40 years. I chose the problem of managed care and literally and systematically shredded it to pieces. You guys think I should just state the problem (i.e., physician restraints, etc) instead of giving an opinion on the subject (i.e., profoundly unethical).

I don't want to portray the image that I may be incapable of assimilating to a profession that demands compliance since I attacked the health care field for the overt and covert transgressions against patients.

just dont offend anyone.

 

[exmike]

The question asked to write on the most significant issue facing the med profession over the next 40 years. I chose the problem of managed care and literally and systematically shredded it to pieces. You guys think I should just state the problem (i.e., physician restraints, etc) instead of giving an opinion on the subject (i.e., profoundly unethical).

I don't want to portray the image that I may be incapable of assimilating to a profession that demands compliance since I attacked the health care field for the overt and covert transgressions against patients.

First of all, managed care is not on the way out (indyZX). How many people do you know that pay cash for medical service? How many people do you know that use traditional Fee For Service? Managed care is the way health care is and will be delivered for the forseeable future. The only way this will change if we change into a true single payor system, and that we know will probably never happen.

In any case, very few people have an adequate enough grasp of managed care and its intricacies to create a cogent arguement that would shed new light on the subject. After two years of public health school I still don't feel I have the proper understanding of the health insurance industry to argue strongly for or against most policies. In fact, the "managed care dilemma" is just that, a dilemma. It is a problem without a solution (otherwise hundreds of professors at public health and health admin/pub policy schools would be out of work). I don't see how arguing against managed care can bring added value to your application unless you have some sort of novel solution that involves your matriculatoin into medical school. Managed care is a horse that has been beat to death 10 times over, I personally wouldnt waste that valuable personal essay space to do the same arm flailing that medical profession has done for the last ten years. Write about something unique that sets you apart!


edit: sorry, i though this was for your PS. You can disregard most of my post. I do think you should post a solutoin rather than rant about the problem. That would be unique!

 

[docmemi]

perhaps instead of attacking managed care, you could talk about the importance of compassion in healthcare and suggest how our current system has flaws...drs being restrained due to managed care or not having enough time to care for patients. thats a pretty unique topic if you ask me.

good luck. keep us posted.

 

[Medikit]

I wouldn't. I'd try to talk about both sides and consider possible resolutions.

 

[docmemi]

but is managed care really the biggest problem facing healthcare in the next 40 years???

plus be unique!

 

[callendm]

Format such a secondary as follows.....

note the problem you see in the next 40 years such as...."though there is an ethical obligation to utilize the best procedure available for a patient....monetarily enforced structure at the expense of a patient's health is most concerning to me

then state your concern for patient privilege such as....my primary goal will be to keep a patient?s interests at hand. However, to remain in practice I will need to abide by the current structure of the health care system...

As you have now addressed the foreseeable issue and how you will remain ethically bound to the patient tie it together with something like...I understand that this may be a taxing situation. Though I will always maintain my ethical responsibility, the patient may loose sight of this. Thus, the important therapeutic patient-physician relationship may be harmed....this is you showing how it impacts your practice of medicine and why it will be difficult..

Then say how you can address this issue such as... Becoming involved with political groups, remaining up-to-date on current procedures, staying genuine to my patients will reinforce our bonds...etc...etc....

Do not bash anything or you may end up pushing someone the wrong way. If you break down the whole structure of managed care...then you are certainly going to severly offend everyone who reads it. If by chance you are so enlightened on a topic, keep it to yourself, the secondary is not the time or place for it 😉

 

[ornis4]

The question asked to write on the most significant issue facing the med profession over the next 40 years. I chose the problem of managed care and literally and systematically shredded it to pieces. You guys think I should just state the problem (i.e., physician restraints, etc) instead of giving an opinion on the subject (i.e., profoundly unethical).

I don't want to portray the image that I may be incapable of assimilating to a profession that demands compliance since I attacked the health care field for the overt and covert transgressions against patients.

This same question is on my UCONN secondary...I'm assuming this is the secondary you're working on? Anyway, I'm struggling with this question as well...managed care was the first thing that popped into my mind, but I'm also struggling with the details. But then again, I think you have to tread carefully no matter what your response to this question. I'm sure they're looking for insightful perspectives and unique arguments, but like the other posters have mentioned, I'm going to do my utmost not to offend anyone. And definitely consider both sides of whichever argument you make. Good luck!

 

[cytotech27]

I answered this question on the UCONN sec. talking about the uninsured. There are some articles in the Lancet and other journals about the effects of Bush's and Kerry's plans. I thought it would take about forty years to solve this problem because there will be a lot of trial and error before anyone gets it close to right. As long as you use a topic and can back it up with a fact, you're set to go. I don't know about anyone else, but I am not killing myself answering these secondary questions. I am trying to get them back as quickly as possible to avoid overload.
As far as giving a solution to these problems, I don't see how I can answer problems that people at the highest level of government can't fix. I think you are OK stating the problem and giving your opinion.

 

[Mr. Rosewater]

just be aware that the pple reading your essay will prolly know alot about this. don't say something stupid.

 

[skypilot]

Don't bash the insurance companies too badly. After all they will be paying your salary in a few years. Forty million uninsured patients would love to be part of managed care. 🙂