If there's anything I have learned working in Australia, is preventative medical care is key.
Will result in less co-morbidities, healthier families, and less stress about hospital visits.
Should healthcare be included as a basic human right? I do believe so. It should not just be for those who can afford private insurance, or for the employed. But who should be responsible to ensure everyone is cared for? That begs the real question.
I do believe personal responsibility is the next key. People need to know their bodies, know their General Practitioner, know their family history, know their medications and why they take them.
The first part is actually much easier- insuring everyone. Whether it's the government, or another form of money, if everyone is insured the easy part is done.
I think the next part, the most challenging thing for America will be changing an entire state of mind. Educating people that healthcare is a team effort- with players including medical staff as the coaches, and citizens of the world as all the players. If one player or coach doesn't pull their weight, then all members fail.
The next best lesson I have learned is: that healthcare integrity is universal across the ocean. I count myself very lucky to have worked with an incredible team of healthcare professionals in the United States, and also to work with an equally smart, honest, hard-working group of professionals in Australia as well. All work for the common good of society, and all practice good medicine.
