The Overwhelm of Multiple Appointments

Deana Hendrickson feels overwhelmed by the intricate demands of the medical system. "Every body part has a specialist," she expressed with frustration. For Ms. Hendrickson, who at 65 takes care of her three young grandsons while managing her health, visiting multiple doctors has become an exhausting part of her life.

The Extensive List of Specialists

She regularly visits a plethora of specialists, including a primary care physician, a cardiologist due to her mild heart disease, a lung surgeon for annual scans linked to her family's lung cancer history, and more. In fact, her list includes an ophthalmologist, a gynecologist, a urologist, a podiatrist, and a gastroenterologist, along with frequent trips to the dentist. On average, she estimates spending around 24 days a year engaged in medical appointments, not to mention the driving time to her former doctors in Santa Monica, which is now an hour away from her home.

The Cycle of Vulnerability

Despite being relatively healthy and active, Ms. Hendrickson feels like she’s caught in a cycle that underscores her vulnerabilities. "I feel like an old car in need of constant maintenance," she remarked, voicing her desire to spend her time on more fulfilling activities instead of waiting in doctor's offices.

The Impact on Older Adults

Recent research reveals that these "health care contact days" are becoming a pressing issue for older adults. Dr. Ishani Ganguli from Harvard Medical School stated that healthcare providers often underestimate the toll these visits take on a patient's quality of life. According to a study analyzing Medicare data from 2019, seniors over 65 averaged about 17 contact days a year for ambulatory care alone—these figures are even higher for those with multiple chronic conditions.

The Cycle of Treatment Cascades

Dr. Ganguli underscored a concerning pattern where the burden of healthcare can lead to "treatment cascades," where one treatment leads to another, often resulting in complications and more healthcare appointments. A poignant example from her own life involved her father's prostate cancer diagnosis, which began with a screening that is not generally recommended for older patients. This led to invasive treatments that could have been avoided, highlighting how medical interventions can spiral into more demanding schedules.

Mental and Physical Toll

The mental and physical toll associated with extensive treatment can lead patients to abandon therapies or medications, ultimately worsening their health. Dr. Victor Montori from Mayo Clinic highlighted the growing list of tasks required just to manage one’s health, from scheduling appointments to navigating insurance paperwork, reinforcing the sense of overwhelm many patients feel.

Promising Solutions

There are, however, promising solutions that could ease these burdens. One approach termed "minimally disruptive medicine," aims at reducing the unnecessary strain on patients by minimizing low-value services—such as unneeded screenings that could lead to overwhelming follow-up procedures. Dr. Ganguli encourages patients to inquire about the burden of potential treatments they are considering and explore options for coordinating care more efficiently.

Streamlined Healthcare Experience

In contrast, patients like David Gans, a 71-year-old musician in California, experience a more streamlined healthcare process through his membership with Kaiser Permanente. He appreciates the seamless coordination between his specialists, allowing him to receive the necessary care without the added stress of managing multiple practices.

The Role of Home Care

Moreover, moving healthcare options into the home can substantially reduce the burdensome nature of traditional medical visits. More than 17% of older Medicare beneficiaries report significant challenges in traveling to appointments, complicating their already demanding healthcare schedules. Home care services and telehealth are set to play crucial roles in alleviating these pressures.

A Call for Change

Amidst these challenges, both patients and providers are advocating for a more humane and efficient healthcare system that places the needs of individuals at the forefront. As the conversation around minimizing treatment burden continues, there’s hope for a future where healthcare is not just about treatment, but about enhancing the quality of life.