Dr John M

cardiac electrophysiologist, cyclist, learner

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Friday Reflection: What if ‘they’ start winning?

December 16, 2011 By Dr John

The chart reads, “here for 6-month AF ablation follow-up.”

My eyes track first to the palpitations box. None.

Then the ECG. Regular.

Good. That’s a relief. Sweet!

Knowing he was free of symptoms and in regular rhythm, I bounced into the room.

“How are you?”

He looked well. Observe. Always observing, us doctors.

I just got my final bill for the ablation.

Uh-oh. Pause. “Think, John.” Come up with something about how healthcare doesn’t have to be so expensive. Or capitalism incents innovation. Or, the same procedure costs ten-fold less in Germany. But all I could think to say was:

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, it seems like a lot but pales in comparison to the money it cost to care for my AF before the procedure. Thank you.”

More relief.

We ended up chatting about cost-effectiveness. That’s because when an AF patient no longer has AF there isn’t much else to discuss.

Nice.

I tweeted today that electrophysiologists are lucky to have procedures that change peoples’ lives for the better. Our (evidenced-based) tech-heavy devices combined with training and some skills really do work. For people.

And though I wished I didn’t feel this way, (I never used to), it’s gratifying when these hard-won successful outcomes beat down the negativism of the take-the-fun-out-of-medicine people. Though they try to extract our joy, with their forms, and clicks, and ‘pre-certs’ and mostly their distrust, for now, our worthwhile work, which makes a difference in the lives of those we serve, wins out.

Thank goodness.

Imagine if it didn’t.

JMM

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Related posts:

  1. Friday Reflections: High-tech doctoring is a team sport
  2. Friday Reflection: A doctor’s antidote
  3. Friday reflections: Friday Conference–A let down
  4. Black Friday in the Cath Lab…

Filed Under: AF ablation, Doctoring, Reflection Tagged With: Friday reflection

John Mandrola, MD

Welcome, Enjoy, Interact. john-mandrola I am a cardiac electrophysiologist practicing in Louisville KY. I am also a husband to a palliative care doctor, a father, a bike racer, and a regular columnist at theHeart.org | Medscape

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  • Electrophysiology commentary on Medscape/Cardiology

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For patients...Educational posts

  • 13 things to know about Atrial Fibrillation — 2014
  • A new cure of AF
  • Adding a new verb to doctoring: To deprescribe is to do a lot
  • AF ablation — 2015 A Cautionary Note
  • AF Ablation in 2012–An easier journey?
  • Atrial Flutter — 15 facts you may want to know.
  • Benign PVCs: A heart rhythm doctor’s approach.
  • Caution with early Cardioversion
  • Decisions of 2 low-risk cases of PAF
  • Defining success in AF ablation in 2014
  • Four commonly asked questions on AF ablation
  • Inflammation and AF — Get off the gas
  • Ten things to expect after AF ablation
  • The medical decsion as a gamble
  • The most important verb in our health crisis
  • Wellness Requires Ownership

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