CASSA: HOLISTIC HEALTHCARE - JACOB’S 8 PRINCIPLES!

HOLISTIC HEALTHCARE - JACOB’S 8 PRINCIPLES!

December 6, 2010 on 8:26 pm | In General |


‘ At the end of the day, it is all about ‘a duty of care’ towards one who comes before us to seek treatment or assistance!

At the end of the day, it is all about dedication, caring, and professionalism!

At the end of the day - it is not just about that person (s) living or dying but most importantly, whether we have done our level best for them, which includes even in ‘a crisis situation!’ - Dr Jacob George. 


JACOB’S 8 PRINCIPLES IN HOLISTIC HEATHCARE MANAGEMENT!

1. Information Disclosure. Consumers have the right to receive “accurate, easily understood information” and help making informed health care decisions. This includes information about physician education and board certification, experience performing certain procedures and consumer satisfaction rates.

2. Choice of providers and plans. All health plans should have a network large enough “to assure that all covered services will be accessible without unreasonable delay.” It includes access to consultants, specialist, gynecologists and certified nurse midwives for “routine and preventative women’s health care services.”

3. Access to emergency services. Health plans should pay for emergency care “when a consumer presents to an emergency department with acute symptoms of sufficient severity—including severe pain—such that a ‘prudent layperson’ could reasonably expect the absence of medical attention to result in placing that consumer’s health in serious jeopardy.”

4. Participation in treatment decisions. Physicians and other health care professionals should discuss all treatment options, including the option of no treatment at all, discuss the use of advance directives and abide by the decisions made by their patients. Health plans also should disclose to consumers facts that could influence advice or treatment decisions, such as methods of compensation or ownership of health care facilities. They also should not have “gag clauses” in their provider contracts and should be prohibited from penalizing or seeking retribution against health care professionals who advocate on behalf of their patients.

5. Respect and nondiscrimination. Discrimination in the delivery of health care or in the marketing and enrollment practices of a health plan should be forbidden on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, genetic information or source of payment.

6. Confidentiality of health information. Consumers have the right to communicate with health care providers in confidence, and to have the confidentiality of their health care information protected.

7. Complaints and appeals. Consumers have a right to a “fair and efficient process for resolving differences” with health plans or providers, including “a rigorous system of internal review and an independent system of external review”.

8. Consumer responsibilities. Consumers should be encouraged to take responsibility for their health and exercise, avoid smoking and eat a healthy diet. Consumers also have the responsibility to become involved in making health care decisions, to carry out agreed-upon treatment plans, and to recognize the reality of risks and limits of the science of medical care and the human fallibility of the health care professional.