Brainstorming auto vs medicine

What can the auto industry teach us about good practice in medicine? Just ask your local mechanic.

I just took my Honda Civic to the mechanics for a tune up prior to an emissions test. The CHECK ENGINE light was on and I knew that was not a good sign. I entered the office early in the morning and was promptly greeted with a smile. The man behind the counter asked, "How can I help you?" Try getting that customer service at the ER, docs office, or clinic.

I responded with my story about the cars engine light and the man pulled out a quote sheet! He spent a few minutes calculating the diagnostic test and provided me with a number. From there I had a choice... I could take or leave it.

What a concept. Upfront pricing model... Can you see this working in medicine? You go into the ED, doctors office, or clinic and give your story, from there they tell you a estimated cost of procedure and tests, and THE PATIENT CHOOSES! AMAZING concept!

Now I can see some thinking about the extra time in quoting a price, and the type of reimbursement, and lost business, but think about the culture change. If you are told it will cost x amount of dollars to deal with a chronic disease, wouldn't more do preventative oil changes to make sure the engine runs smooth.

Better yet, what if an insurance company used this as the philosophy. It may even create a bit of honesty and patient teaching in medicine.

ANYWAY, back to my car... SO I went home after dropping it off, and a few hours later I got a call. A very nice man on the phone told me they had inspected the cause of the light and it was regular 100,000 mile checkup stuff... a belt change, a little leak in the water pump, and change the spark plugs. I again was updated on the price.

How does this apply medicine... So you agree for the labs and xrays to be taken... then, after the results are back, the doc updates you with some of the needed repairs.... Again, the patient is steering the boat.

"Yeah I will take angiogram and the stent, but I will try and control my type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise, I heard metformin has a few side effects, how does that sound?" asks the patient

Doc responds, "well, you HGB A1c is still in the mild elevation range, we can try that and see what happens, just be sure to check in with me in a month for a retest, and please see a dietitian for a follow-up and diet guide."

See, collaborative care....

SO how does this story end... well, I picked up my car and had opted to get the full repair. Figure that was a good investment as I cannot afford a new car at the moment... I think prevention is the key to long car life, wonder why its so hard to get patients to think the same about their body!