I'm not 55 yet but I am experiencing the beginnings of ageism subtly and more often. Though I've had chronic pain possibly since my late 20's due to work that has been physical, I am overall healthy. Often time doctors don't believe that i'm not on any medications but are quick to offer steroids or other medications for ailments without offering multiple options -so you're right, over-treatment and know your body...NEXT!
Todays doctors are younger too, and I find it difficult for a young woman/male gyno, for example, to understand my needs as a person who has passed through the "birthing" years. I truly felt that I really didn't matter to her her as patient last time I went; where do you go to find good help (RX)these days?
I think a lot of illness, too, has to do with diet and years of sugar, fat,and processed foods will eventually catch up and cause problems - older people, especially in homes or "controlled" environments, are fed crap food, then chased down with their meds, exacerbating inflammation and illness. Doc don't seem to recommend a change in diet first. Re-education. starting young, that's a key, but we've been saying this for years about everything. It's difficult to implement change.
Thanks so much for this, Don. Ageism, racism, and sexism (especially when it's combined with ageism) ...and I hate to add another factor, but I've seen it in action, and that's classism. I have always had good experiences with doctors, from GPs to specialists, in many years living in the South, but then I'm a white British woman-- understand, I just want such "privilege" to be the norm for everyone, and there are good people working for that in Georgia. Now I'm in my mid fifties, and I ran into my first ageist/sexist doctor here in the Midwest. I didn't see it at first: He was very relaxed and pleasant. But the dismissiveness began to add up, including a glorious moment when he muttered under his breath as though I weren't there when I wasn't quick enough to agree with his opinion of something controversial. That was when I realized that "nice" could cost me my life: He didn't see me as a fellow adult. For someone who has always had friends of all ages, even as a teenager, this was jarring.
Thank you, Don, for a great article. Wife and I live on the beach in the Yucatan, Mexico and have had some experience with the Mexican healthcare. Mexican healthcare is world class. First of all, we have no health insurance and pay for everything out of pocket. Healthcare is very affordable. Second, you deal direct with the doctor. No in between like receptionist, nurses. We call our doctor directly on his phone and he sets his own appointments. Thirdly, we keep track of our own records. When you go to the doctor, you take all your records with you. And seldom is there any wait time for office visit and path reports or diagnosis. Blood reports are back by the afternoon and path reports are available the next day. I say all of the above to make the point that our relationship with our doctors is very one-on-one and he or she is very keen that we remain satisfied in our care. After a major surgery, my doctor called every day checking on me. I have never experience ageism here but have many times in the American health care systems. Maybe the American medical system should adopt some the practices we enjoy here. Plus it sure keeps the cost down.
Another informative letter, Don — so sobering, and disheartening. I wonder if ageism is far less prevalent in other parts of the world? I’d imagine it would be around the Blue Zones, but I’m not sure. I do, however, think we could do well by learning from other cultures on how to (sappy words oncoming) treasure and revere (your words oncoming) the chronically gifted 😊
I wholeheartedly agree. And doctors are far from immune! I remember calling a large insurer to arrange a supplement to Medicare. The representative on the phone assumed that I had the health literacy of a prune. I told the woman that she did not need to "dumb it down" for me to understand the plan.
The prevailing idea among many is that age 65 represents a not-so-magic number at which time all systems are "fail." This is far from the truth, and in fact, health is a continuous variable across the age spectrum.
Many patients do want pharmacological therapy at the exclusion of lifestyle choices and/or alternative regimens. Every pediatrician can recount parents who demand antibiotics for colds and ear infections. That said, most physicians respect patients and family members who desire the exploration of non-medicinal options. Our post on your blog several months ago on depression is a salient example.
Did you know that communication training is part of palliative care education? This competency applies to the benefit of patients of all ages and to providers across primary and sub specialty disciplines. Please check out the menu inside the website, “Vitaltalk.org”.
We emphasize advanced care planning and advance directives to be reviewed at clinic visits. My PCP just had this discussion with me earlier this month. By incorporating the wishes and preferences of the patient his or her values can be highlighted.
Some providers are inherently more effective communicators than others. Nevertheless, young doctors ( students, residents, and fellows) are receiving didactic and bedside tools to enhance both their communication skills and style.
Gone are the days of Marcus Welby on the tube and The Lone Ranger in the saddle. Our global, holistic healthcare system now requires more connection between and among patients and providers to promote health in all its dimensions.
I'm not 55 yet but I am experiencing the beginnings of ageism subtly and more often. Though I've had chronic pain possibly since my late 20's due to work that has been physical, I am overall healthy. Often time doctors don't believe that i'm not on any medications but are quick to offer steroids or other medications for ailments without offering multiple options -so you're right, over-treatment and know your body...NEXT!
Todays doctors are younger too, and I find it difficult for a young woman/male gyno, for example, to understand my needs as a person who has passed through the "birthing" years. I truly felt that I really didn't matter to her her as patient last time I went; where do you go to find good help (RX)these days?
I think a lot of illness, too, has to do with diet and years of sugar, fat,and processed foods will eventually catch up and cause problems - older people, especially in homes or "controlled" environments, are fed crap food, then chased down with their meds, exacerbating inflammation and illness. Doc don't seem to recommend a change in diet first. Re-education. starting young, that's a key, but we've been saying this for years about everything. It's difficult to implement change.
Thanks so much for this, Don. Ageism, racism, and sexism (especially when it's combined with ageism) ...and I hate to add another factor, but I've seen it in action, and that's classism. I have always had good experiences with doctors, from GPs to specialists, in many years living in the South, but then I'm a white British woman-- understand, I just want such "privilege" to be the norm for everyone, and there are good people working for that in Georgia. Now I'm in my mid fifties, and I ran into my first ageist/sexist doctor here in the Midwest. I didn't see it at first: He was very relaxed and pleasant. But the dismissiveness began to add up, including a glorious moment when he muttered under his breath as though I weren't there when I wasn't quick enough to agree with his opinion of something controversial. That was when I realized that "nice" could cost me my life: He didn't see me as a fellow adult. For someone who has always had friends of all ages, even as a teenager, this was jarring.
Thank you, Don, for a great article. Wife and I live on the beach in the Yucatan, Mexico and have had some experience with the Mexican healthcare. Mexican healthcare is world class. First of all, we have no health insurance and pay for everything out of pocket. Healthcare is very affordable. Second, you deal direct with the doctor. No in between like receptionist, nurses. We call our doctor directly on his phone and he sets his own appointments. Thirdly, we keep track of our own records. When you go to the doctor, you take all your records with you. And seldom is there any wait time for office visit and path reports or diagnosis. Blood reports are back by the afternoon and path reports are available the next day. I say all of the above to make the point that our relationship with our doctors is very one-on-one and he or she is very keen that we remain satisfied in our care. After a major surgery, my doctor called every day checking on me. I have never experience ageism here but have many times in the American health care systems. Maybe the American medical system should adopt some the practices we enjoy here. Plus it sure keeps the cost down.
Another informative letter, Don — so sobering, and disheartening. I wonder if ageism is far less prevalent in other parts of the world? I’d imagine it would be around the Blue Zones, but I’m not sure. I do, however, think we could do well by learning from other cultures on how to (sappy words oncoming) treasure and revere (your words oncoming) the chronically gifted 😊
I wholeheartedly agree. And doctors are far from immune! I remember calling a large insurer to arrange a supplement to Medicare. The representative on the phone assumed that I had the health literacy of a prune. I told the woman that she did not need to "dumb it down" for me to understand the plan.
The prevailing idea among many is that age 65 represents a not-so-magic number at which time all systems are "fail." This is far from the truth, and in fact, health is a continuous variable across the age spectrum.
Many patients do want pharmacological therapy at the exclusion of lifestyle choices and/or alternative regimens. Every pediatrician can recount parents who demand antibiotics for colds and ear infections. That said, most physicians respect patients and family members who desire the exploration of non-medicinal options. Our post on your blog several months ago on depression is a salient example.
Patti
Did you know that communication training is part of palliative care education? This competency applies to the benefit of patients of all ages and to providers across primary and sub specialty disciplines. Please check out the menu inside the website, “Vitaltalk.org”.
We emphasize advanced care planning and advance directives to be reviewed at clinic visits. My PCP just had this discussion with me earlier this month. By incorporating the wishes and preferences of the patient his or her values can be highlighted.
Some providers are inherently more effective communicators than others. Nevertheless, young doctors ( students, residents, and fellows) are receiving didactic and bedside tools to enhance both their communication skills and style.
Gone are the days of Marcus Welby on the tube and The Lone Ranger in the saddle. Our global, holistic healthcare system now requires more connection between and among patients and providers to promote health in all its dimensions.
Patti