I work in the complex, convoluted, and often challenging American health care system. I strive to provide the best care to my patients. It is troubling to me when one of my loved ones enter this system, and are not met with those same standards. Our health care system is broken. Health care providers are expected to do more, with less, in the fastest amount of time possible. This hasty, fast-food approach to American health care is unhealthy, and unsustainable. We hear the nations cry of ‘health care for all’, but that doesn’t necessarily equate to good health care for all. It’s no wonder medical errors are the third leading cause of death in America today (Makary, and Daniel, 2016).
The piece I wrote below is my interpretation of the experience of a loved one struggling in this broken system.
The Broken Column, 1944 by Frida Kahlo
I woke up today in pain.
I reached out to you,
You didn’t see.
I continued to have pain.
I reached out to you,
You didn’t hear.
I was scared by this pain.
I reached out to you,
You didn’t speak.
I still have pain!
I reached out to someone else.
They saw me, they heard me, they spoke to me.
I was broken.
I reached out to you again to let you know,
Your apathy was palpable.
Perhaps it is not me that is broken…
Makary, M.A., Daniel, M. (2016). Medical error-the third leading cause of death in the US. BMJ 353:i2139
Nightingalechronicles.com 
Having navigated the healthcare system with my mother these past few years, I understand completely what you’ve written here. Very well said. It’s frustrating to have a background in healthcare and not see your loved ones get the care you feel they need–and deserve.
Sorry to hear you are going through this with your mother too. It’s such a frustrating system, and as our parents age, we are the ones on the front lines trying to shield them. I cringe when I think about people going through this who have no one to advocate for them. Best of luck with your mom!
Thank you. She’s over the worst but still needs regular check-ups.