There should be a name for that moment when you suddenly realise that a new bit of jargon has arrived. Jargo-genesis?
I had one last week when I came across the phrase 'patient journey' twice in some health reform bumf. I'd seen it used before in a job description for the new breed of 'hospitalist' physicians, who are supposed to oversee the 'patient journey' through the hospital system. Three strikes and you're in ... the dictionary.
When did patients start having journeys? I thought a patient journey was something that happened in an ambulance. Now it seems that all patients are having journeys instead of illnesses - yet another euphemism that sugar coats the unpleasant and increasingly depersonalised reality of waiting lists, hospital closures and clinical management by protocol, technology and bureaucracy.
What happened to being crook and going to see the doctor to get fixed up? When I see the word 'journey' I immediately start think - where to? How will I travel? When do I get back? And don't they say it's better to travel (hopefully) than to arrive?
Turning illness into a journey makes it sound like you have choices about how to travel and where you are going. It's the consumerisation of health, as if having arthritis was like embarking on a Contiki Tour around Europe.
Instead of visiting Belgium, France Spain and Italy in seven days you get to see the GP, a pharmacist and a Medicare office.
Is there going to be a Lonely Planet guide to patient journeys? "The Royal XXXX Hospital is a bit of a dump, but always appears to be booked out. Some travellers have managed to haggle successfully for a bed but many end up dossing in the waiting room."
I think when it comes to patient journeys, someone is being taken for a ride.
Comments
Michael, your cynicism limits your insight. An 'illness' is not akin to a 'journey' in the health system. You appear to be floundering and missing Linda. The patient experience of the 'journey' within the health system is very important. How is a jingo-journalist to know? Posted by Benedict on Tuesday, 10 March 2009
