The Veterans Administration and Joint Services could do well to implement three changes: 1. Provide a comprehensive exit interview at time of discharge and a DVD of all service and health files. 2. Afford Veterans input in advance of their medical appointments via the existing myhealth.va.gov portal to identify symptoms, issues, and what the Vet is concerned with. Prime consideration needs to be given for the Vet who is willing to be proactive in maintaining wellness. 3. Implementation of an escalation paradigm for immediate review when the Vet and patient advocate fail to resolve disputes with their Primary Care provider. The symptoms I presented are recognized as classic for Hereditary Hemochromatosis. An inexpensive Iron Panel test years ago would have identified the disorder with the initiation of phlebotomies to control damage. My character was impugned and treatment denied for 2 1/2 years simply because I enjoy two to three beers daily. Dirne Clinic in Coeur dAlene promptly addressed two of my issues that my VA Primary Care Providers refused. Since May I have been privileged to exceptional VA care that is at times overwhelming. Given multiple organ damage, I wonder if current attention is beneficial. Most of the support staff are kind and considerate. Its the few bad apples that deny care, increase pain, and cause a Veteran to retreat into isolation. Honorable military service should be a prerequisite for all physicians who treat Veterans. Finally, it would be beneficial if Veterans were not considered Scammers of the System. Many of us who served honorably were clueless at time of discharge and dont even realize our need for triage today!
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 14:25:08 +0000
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