Even more firsthand symptoms of a broken healthcare system

by Thomas Dahlborg "You are not going to be a professional baseball player ... " Jimmy is a player on the high school recreational basketball team I coach, and yes, the orthopedic surgeon who reviewed Jimmy's MRI and who spent a total of 30 minutes over two visits tried to destroy this boy's dream (unintentionally, I hope) to play professional baseball. I learned of this healthcare encounter from Jimmy's mother and as she relayed these events to me I composed the following letter to this physician in my mind: Dear Doctor: Do you know Jimmy? Truly know him? Do you know what Jimmy has overcome throughout his life to even get on the ball field? Did you know Jimmy was born with neurological issues to the point where it was unclear as to whether he would ever be able to run? Did you know that Jimmy struggled with childhood obesity? Did you know Jimmy was bullied by both children and parents and is now one of the kindest boys you will ever meet with great empathy for others who are being bullied? Did you know Jimmy overcame all of these challenges and plays and excels in school and at both basketball and baseball, even making the high school varsity baseball team as a junior prior to this most recent challenge? Did you know that years ago while playing Cal Ripken baseball Jimmy broke the thumb on his pitching hand at a play at home plate and shortly thereafter struck out 16 players in a single game while wearing a special cast on his hand? Did you know that Jimmy wit...
Source: hospital impact - Category: Health Managers Authors: Source Type: blogs