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Vital Signs
Reflections
on Service and Social Justice
   
Vital Signs,
Spring 2008 Volume 1, Issue
1
Featured articles in this issue-
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From Idealism to Action, Challenges and opportunities across the
medical school experience
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Becoming the Next Paul Farmer, Practical steps to approaching a
career in global health
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The State of Service at Loyola, An interview with Dr. Sheehan
Watch
the interview with Myles Sheehan, SJ, MD (Windows Media Player video
stream)
Vital Signs,
Winter 2008/2009 Volume 2, Issue 1
Featured
articles in this issue-
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The New face of Research and Service at Loyola
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How Does Loyola Stack Up?
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The Example of Preventive Medicine, An interview with Dr. Richard Cooper
Watch the interview with Richard Cooper, MD
(Windows Media
Player video stream)
Vital Signs,
Spring 2009 Volume 3, Issue 1
Featured
articles in this issue-
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Reflections in Patient Advocacy: Blurring the Lines Between
Professionalism and Partnership
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Choosing Medicine: Exploring the Innate Drive of Students
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Environmental Justice and Advocacy as Service
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The Altruism of Physicians: Am Impetus to Care?
Vital Signs, Fall
2009 Volume 4, Issue 1
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Featured articles in this issue-
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Thoughts on Reform: The Dean and other Loyola Physicians Weigh-in
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The
American Medical Education: Students' Perspective
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Healthcare: A Right or a Commodity
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Njala
and Broken Dreams
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The
Intricacies of international Health
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Illinois' White Coat Flight
Letter
from the Editors,
Nathan Kittle, Daniel Wilburn,
SSOM 2012 (Fall 2009)
As per President Obama’s mandate, change certainly appears to
be coming. The issue of health care reform greatly affects all of us, and
no matter our personal or professional opinions on this subject, I feel safe
in saying that we all agree that the current system cannot continue to exist
as is. Some way, somehow, reform needs to happen.
Though this is a highly political and controversial issue,
and Vital Signs is predominantly about reflections upon service, the
uniqueness and timing of this subject has compelled us to make health care
reform the focus of this issue. Indeed, one of the ways in which physicians
are expected to serve society are by acting as advocates, especially for
those who may not understand the intricacies of such a complicated topic or
have the capability to speak for themselves, such as with the underserved.
No matter how we feel about health care reform, it is
imperative for all of us to understand not only all sides of the issues, but
exactly what is presently going on. Otherwise, key areas of reform may be
left by the wayside -- after all, we cannot always simply trust others in
authority to make decisions that are the best for us, as individuals and as
a nation. Though we are currently students, we are training to become the
type of leaders to whom others will look for guidance, support and
education. Whether or not we like it, we will have a voice in the political
arena and it is our responsibility to stand up for what we believe in with a
balanced and well thought-out voice. Whether Democratic, Republican,
Libertarian, independent, or another party not mentioned here, we are all
products of the American system, and it is time for us to play a role in
understanding and shaping what is possibly the most critical issue of our
generation. For instance, notable physicians such as Atul Gawande have had
a direct impact upon formulating the President’s policies (see his article
in the New Yorker for free, entitled "The Cost Conundrum" -- I might add
that this too had a profound effect on this editor’s thinking).
Nobody doubts that this is complicated, delicate and requires
a great deal of care, especially from a financially responsible standpoint.
One must certainly weigh the benefits of new interventions versus preventive
care, and of course, physicians’ salaries are no small matter to many of the
doctors practicing in America today. Further, the laws are structured such
that defensive medicine is not only practical, but desirable in many cases,
which in themselves can greatly add to the costs of what ‘should’ be
standard care. Eliminating pre-existing conditions as a basis for rejection
of insurance coverage for a relatively few individuals makes little sense if
premiums will astronomically increase for everyone covered. No matter the
motivation of for-profit companies and how we as physicians judge them, the
fact is that some major players in the medical industry are concerned about
the bottom line -- can we change this overnight? It is doubtful, and the
same concept applies for the health care system in America as a whole.
It is extraordinarily difficult to dramatically change such
an ingrained infrastructure in a short period of time, no matter our
opinions on the merits of this system -- even a one day disruption in care
can be catastrophic to our patients. Rather, Dr. Gawande suggests (and I
agree) that we should build upon what we have, working with its strengths
and limitations, rather than scrapping the whole thing entirely.
What follows are articles outlining thoughts, reflections and
experiences with health care reform. It is our hope that you read them
carefully, not necessarily to have your mind changed about anything, but to
gain a little more insight that you may not have had before. Further, we
hope that no matter what happens in the very near future, any changes
implemented will be carefully thought out, with maximal benefit and as
little disruption possible, and in a series of stages designed to ease the
transition for the majority of the population. What happens with this issue
of health care reform will not only affect our generation, but generations
to follow. Let us hope that we do the right thing and tread cautiously,
learning from past mistakes, because we are setting the new standard.
 Vital Signs Editorial Board and Support Staff
Senior Editors: Nathan Kittle, Daniel Wilburn
Managing Editors: Alex Means, Matthew Murphy,Mark Stoltenberg,
Stephen Lane, Jason Somogyi
Supporting Editors: Tracy Lyons, William Navarre, Masey Ross
Design Manager: Jason Rice
Photographer: Kathleen Mishler
This project would not have been possible
without the generous support of the Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics &
Health Policy. To Dr. Kuczewski and the rest of the staff: Thank you
so much for giving us this opportunity to prepare for future careers in
service through reflecting on questions of justice.
Questions, comments or concerns? Is there
a certain topic of interest you would like to hear about for the next issue?
Or even better, are you interested in writing, taking pictures or joining
the Vital Signs board?
Email us at vitalsigns@lumc.edu
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