Do you lie to your doctor, NP, personal trainer, etc? If you don’t, you probably would find yourself amongst the minority crew according to some studies. Depending on whether you are the patient responding to questionnaires or the physician answering in regard to said patients, the percentage of mistruths could range anywhere from 30% to greater than 50%.
Over the last quarter century or so the majority of Americans tend to believe we are sicker as a nation. Our life expectancy may be longer, but the degree of our illnesses and the amount of illness is substantially more significant than 25 years ago.
There are an entire host of reasons and excuses for the decline in America’s health. These may range anywhere from “it’s a conspiracy” to “we’re all just lazy.” Perhaps it’s a combination of many things, but regardless of the real causative factors there is no doubt of one thing.
Without a doubt lies will not make us happier, healthier, thinner, or more physically fit. It would be nice if denial and fudging the true about our diets, exercise, pain, or health maintenance behaviors would make us as great as we think we are! But, that is just not what the evidence and the psyche of the nation proves to be true.
With the United States continually ranking in the lowest ranks across many nations for health care measurement criteria, should we as “the patient” be adding to the crippling of our healthcare system, our nations, and most importantly our own health?
Undoubtedly at the end of ones’ life or in the midst of a healthcare crisis would we wish we had been more honest and forthright with our healthcare provider? If one could be as good of a patient as many of us profess to be, we would likely enjoy longer, healthier lives for a longer period of time.
That is part of the challenges faced by our government. Regardless of political affiliation, party, or candidate with whom you align, our nation’s healthcare system is a mess. We spend more money than any other nation in the world and we have nothing to show for it.
Perhaps, if we think about it there is an enormous amount that individuals can do to help. Perhaps we could quit lying to healthcare providers? Do you know one of the little fibbers? What would happen if we all became who we profess to be and who we want to be? If we were honest with ourselves and with our healthcare providers, couldn’t we begin to make a difference? If we want to improve ourselves and our nation, should we not align ourselves with a personal responsibility to do what we can?
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