Program: Health Care in America
Hugh Macauley, MD
Our own Hugh Macaulay talked with us about his profession. It started with two doctors he met who were significant influences on his choice of a career: Albert Sweitzer, who came to the US to do a presentation at the Aspen Institute and Dr. Tom Dooley who was a missionary in Laos.
Hugh started with a Family Medicine residency and practiced for several years as a family doctor. He then went into Emergency Medicine for 15 years in North Carolina, Aspen, and Denver. As an ER Doctor he obtained a great deal of experience in drug and alcohol treatment. He later chose to move on to Occupational Medicine in order to improve his work hours and have more family time. That is a field that deals with very difficult patients, many of whom are addicted, coming out of prison, and often manipulative. In his career, Hugh experienced the very wealthiest people in Aspen to some of the poorest In his Occupational Medicine practice.
Hugh reviewed the history of medicine, from the earliest folk medicine to the codification of care in Egypt. The evolution of modern medicine began with Galen in the pre-renaissance period. In the early 20th century, Dr. Osler started a residency program in the US and doctors stayed at the hospital 24-7. There was a specific curriculum and guidelines for practice. In 1917, the Flexner report came out. Standards for medicine were developed and regulated. In the 1960-70’s the idea of diagnosis related care (DRG’s) was developed by the government, which related to payments. Evidence-based medicine developed about that time, using scientific medicine research data.
Interestingly, the biggest contributor to improved American health was indoor plumbing. Present day medical care is not based on relationships that have the greatest impact on an individuals health. Now, it is technology and its use.
Medical care is a commodity. Questions that must be answered: How can we allocate medical care? Do we ration? By price? By availability? By wait time?
Guests: Brett Rohr
Induction of New Member: Dee Profitt
She is a staff member at Our Lady of the Pines. Susan Imming is her Rotary mentor.
Announcements/Business:
- The Coupon Book sale was very successful at King Soopers last Friday.
- The summer fundraising event planning is in process; committee is working to select an appropriate venue.
- St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser is in planning; more to come.
- The Christmas Party will be Friday December 15, 6pm at the McCall home. Dean will send directions and Suzanne is managing the sign up for food.
- The MRC holiday party needs volunteers and Marlis set up a Sign-up Genius site for us. The date is Friday and Saturday December 15, 16. Volunteers are needed both days, click the Sign-Up Genius link HERE to see where and when you can help.
- Please fill out the Community Survey by the end of December; just click this link: Conifer Community Survey.
- A new community events center is planned for a site on Windy Point.
- Bell ringers are needed for the Salvation Army, click HERE for the Sign- up Genius or call Angela.