The original oath of a medical doctor is also called to be a Hippocratic Oath. It is believed to be written by Hippocrates, the father of medicine during the fourth century BC. Even today, this oath was still considered as a rite of passage for practitioners to enter the medical world. As our world evolves, several version of this oath was created. The classical version was introduced, and modern versions and alternatives are also made. In spite of all the changes, the main content or the idea that doctor should fulfill their responsibility to promote human health was maintained. Some other medical practices that are contrary to public morals and conducts such as abortion and euthanasia are forbidden.
The oath of a medical doctor was now modified with modern relevance that brought out 6 major changes on its content. The first one is "to teach to the sons of my teacher", in the classical oath, it is stated as medical schools would give preferential consideration to the children of physicians. This is included due to the realization of greater potentials of doctor descendants. They are more exposed to the medical world and they got someone to guide them living the medical profession. The second change that was made is the inclusion of the phrase "to practice and prescribe to be the best of my ability for the good of my patients and to try to avoid harming them". This is one among the most important part of the oath because it states the very purpose of medical practitioners. Their mission is to do their best to improve human health and avoid harm. The third and fourth phrases that were included are the "never to avoid deliberate harm to anyone for anyone else's interest and to avoid violating morals of the community. These phrases regulate the practitioner's conduct of service. They should conduct their profession only with good and humanitarian intent. The fifth phrase is "to avoid to do things that other specialist can do better." This phrase is also created for the intent of regulating the practice of profession. It means every practitioner should only practice his profession to the extent that he knows he could do. The last phrase that completes the oath is "to keep the good of the patient as the highest priority. This is also another reminded of his very goal on this earth, to practice medicine on his best capacity.
Nowadays, that medical malpractices are recurring from day to day, a reminder of this oath should be made to everyone on the medical industry. It is very important for them to realize the real essence of the oath of a medical doctor so that they can efficiently do what are expected from them.
With Health Insurance and Healthcare costs continuing to skyrocket and access to trained Doctors decreasing, something needs to change. The current system is expensive, wasteful, and inefficient. We are proposing a new Gatekeeper Model that will provide Employees greater access to Doctors at a fraction of the cost with far better outcomes.
The Traditional Gatekeeper Model for Healthcare?
What was the traditional Healthcare Gatekeeper Model? The Alliance for Health Reform guidebook defines the gatekeeper/care manager as a "Health Care professional, usually a primary care physician, who coordinates, manages, and authorizes all health services provided to a person covered by certain types of health plans. Unless an emergency exists, the gatekeeper generally must pre-authorize referrals to specialists, hospitalizations and lab and radiology tests."
Unfortunately this system was often plagued by redundancies inefficiencies, and added - not reduced - costs. It has become more and more difficult to gain a Doctor appointment and the emergency rooms are overrun. Under this system - and the other traditional norms for bringing those in actual need of care together with physicians - there is a tremendous waste of time and money!
A few vital statistics!
70% of Doctor's Office Visits are Unnecessary
55% of ER Visits are Unnecessary
41% of ER visits are unnecessary because the Patient could not Get a Doctor's Appointment
51% of Ambulance utilizations are unnecessary
The existing norms obviously have problems. The difficulties in gaining an appointment with a Doctor are growing. PPACA/Obamacare will make this a bigger problem. Millions of people will have new found access to health insurance and will expect access to Doctors. The old system was already dysfunctional and now will be more stained.
The new Gatekeeper Model!
Utilizing Telemedicine as the Gatekeeper to bring people quickly and efficiently together with Doctors. This will remove the Barriers between Employees and Doctors for determining the best course of medical action. Telemedicine is not new! There are a number of Vendor/Providers. Each provides a different level of service and different cost structure. Most would not qualify as a Gatekeeper! I'll qualify the requirements below.
The Telemedicine/Gatekeeper Model is new! When the Employee or Family Member Calls the Doctor First - utilizing the Telemedicine Plan - they immediately access an emergency trained doctor who assists them with their medical need, coordinates, manages, and authorizes all health services required as part of their Employer's Health Plan. The Gatekeeper Doctor authorizes the referral to a specialist, hospital, urgent care facility or lab for tests if needed.
Let's look at how Telemedicine could be utilized as the Gatekeeper.
What must the Telemedicine Plan Provider/Gatekeeper be capable of providing based on the Plan Providers history and their Telemedicine Plan Design?
The above merely describes what features the Telemedicine Gatekeeper must provide the Employer and Employees to reduce costs while increasing Doctor access.
Now let's look at what the Employer, Broker, and Telemedicine Provider (and possibly the TPA) need to accomplish when establishing the Telemedicine Plan as a Gatekeeper:
Five steps to implementing a Telemedicine/Gatekeeper do pap smears test for stds Plan!
What's Next - (1) As an Employer (2) as a Broker
1) Employers -- Use the ROI Calculator! Whether you are Self-Funded or Fully Insured, contact us to utilize the ROI Calculator - there's No Cost. You can see the value of moving forward with a Telemedicine Plan and even better - utilizing the Plan as a Gatekeeper. You can: (a) Substantially Reduce Health Plan Costs, (b) Reduce Unnecessary Doctor and Emergency Room Visits, (c) Dramatically Improve Employee Access to Healthcare Professionals, (d) Reduce Lost Employee Work Time and Absenteeism. Employers have realized triple digit returns on their investment during the first 12 months.
2) Brokers - Use the ROI Calculator and see what it would do for your Clients. (a) You can save your Current and Potential Clients substantial Dollars (b) Improve the Employees and their Families Health Care, (c) Gain Employees and their Families immediate access to Emergency Trained Professionals, (d) Retain and Attract Employer and Individual Clients. Employers have realized triple digit returns on their investment during the first 12 months.