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Assignment 1 - 400-word journal on 'The Doctors' Tv show, 4 different responses, and topics that lead to the issues in the American healthcare system. ...

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Health, Illness and Biomedicine: A sociological Perspective: Weekly Journal 1 - ‘The Doctors’ tv show:

My initial research for ‘The Doctors’ show was optimistic viewing accurate medical information televised worldwide. The show highlights the current worldwide disaster, a contemporary twist of ‘black death’ known as Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Veljanova. C, 2018). Dr Anthony Faucithe the Director of the ‘National Institute of allergy and infectious disease’ believes the “risk of coronavirus is quiet low” and elaborated on how Influenza is a present danger and more of a “threat to us then the current coronavirus” with 12,000-20,000 deaths this season (The Doctors, 2020). Dr. Ravina Kullar the ‘Infectious disease expert’ announced that there is “No cure, No vaccine” for COVID-19. The show abandoned the Coronavirus discussion and ease the audience with the ‘fear’ of Influenza as Dr. Travis Stork (The host) received the influenza shot while filming (The Doctors, 2020). It was very questionable for the attention to shift from the Coronavirus with no antivirals, to Influenza, a disease that has already established multiple antivirals and treatment plans. Further research revealed that 84.6% ‘The Doctors’ tv show “mentioned products by name and named more than one product” (Mishori. R, 2018). This made me suspicious and question the intent of the information being impaled upon the audience. If the intention of ‘The Doctors’ tv show was to inform the public about the best health advice, why would such a high percentage of the shows be an advertisement for pharmaceutical companies? Do they want their audience to become knowledgeable or self diagnose and purchase the pharmaceutical products advertised? The perception of the medical industry and advice from medical professionals on media causes misguided views on illnesses and medication, and overall shows the lack of initiative and awareness of the importance to seek medical advice from professionals in person rather than being manipulated for pharmaceutical financial benefit.

Referencing: Mishori. R, 2018, ‘Pulling back the curtain on ‘The Doctors’ and ‘The Dr. Oz Show:’ What our analysis revealed’,https://www.healthnewsreview.org/2018/02/pulling-back-the-curtain-on-the-doctors-and-the-dr -oz-show-what-our-analysis-reveals/ [Accessed 18 March 2020]. The Doctors, 2020, ‘Is Coronavirus more dangerous than the flu?’, [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=639304146882701&external_log_id=07a131bbd6ecbf619a6ffef42 9fdcb14&q=The%20Doctors [Accessed 17 March 2020]. The Doctors, 2020,‘The everyday activities that could leave you covered in germs’, [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/TheDoctors/videos/2522592658058562/ [Accessed 18 March 2020]. Veljanova. C, 2018, Annete, Mallon, ‘Week 2: Theorising Health’, https://vuws.westernsydney.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-5125397-dt-content-rid-33717650_1/courses/1016 10_2020_aut/2018%20Lectures%20online/Week%202%20Lecture/index.html

Health, Illness and Biomedicine: A sociological Perspective: Weekly Journal 2 - ‘The Doctors’ tv show: American Health Care

After previous research, ‘The Doctors’ tv show left me questioning the show's intentions. Furthermore study on ‘Money versus Medication’, skimming the lack of affordability of healthcare in America and how individual’s health are being sacrificed due to the financial demand of medication. Dr Nita Landry explained 21% of people without insurance and 15% of people with private healthcare insurance are still unable to afford medication. During my research it was obvious that Australian Government prioritizes the healthcare system compared to America when Dr. Travis Stork highlighted “More than 2 million people are skipping their heart medicine because they can’t afford them” (The Doctors, 2020 ) . ‘The Doctors’ tv show emitted social value by encouraging American’s to prioritise their health and informing ways to afford simple medication, changing my view of the show's intentions to positive. Many people believe the quality of generic medication has been comprimes for the cost, due to generic costing 80-85% less than brand-name drugs (Bihari, 2020) . “The generic drugs are only cheaper because the manufacturers have not had the expenses of developing and marketing a new drug”, therefore it is an identical copy (Stoppler, 2020 ) . Pharmacist Mona Vand explains pharmacies can research medication and if you can claim it on insurance or if there is a cheaper alternative such as coupon code (The Doctors, 2020). If America is a modernised country with $339,694 million dollars of pharmaceuticals, where is the money going? Why is the American government not prioritizing healthcare systems and not cutting costs of medication to put the health of their citizens first ? The Perception of the American Healthcare systems shows corruption and minimal support from the American government, overall avoiding the current issue of citizens not taking medication due to the absence of financial support and rising prices of Pharmaceuticals.

References: Stoppler. M, 2020, ‘Generic drugs are they as good as Brand names?’, MedicineNet, [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.medicinenet.com/generic_drugs_are_they_as_good_as_brand-names/views.htm, [Accessed 26 March 2020]. The Doctors, 2020, ‘How to cut the cost of medication’, [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.thedoctorstv.com/videos/how-to-cut-the-cost-of-medication [Accessed 24 March 2020]. Bihari. M, 2020, ‘Are generic Drugs as Safe and Effective as Brand-Name?’, Verywellhealth, [ ONLINE] Available at: https://www.verywellhealth.com/generic-drug-safety-and-effectiveness-1738890, [Accessed 26 March 2020].

Health, Illness and Biomedicine: A sociological Perspective: Weekly Journal 3 - ‘The Doctors’ tv show: America’s Medical Corruption After previous research, ‘The Doctors’ tv show highlights the issue of the corruption of American healthcare system via the rising and non-transparent prices of Pharmaceuticals and healthcare. Furthermore, optimistic study on ‘Money versus Medication’, questions if the healthcare system is broken, with 1 in 5 Americans in collection for medical debt (Doctors, 2020). This made me contemplate if there is no financial support for the citizens in debt, why prescription pharmaceutical sales increased from $500 - $700 billion between 2005 and 2015 (Campbell, 2019). The corruption starts by pharmaceutical representatives pressuring doctors into prescribing particular drugs for financial incentives. Doctors then over-prescribe medications, billing services for unnecessary equipment resulting in consumers paying a hefty price (Campbell, 2019). In 2016, 62% of Americans say healthcare is the most or the second most important issue for the future of America. In 2016, President Donald Trump pledged to bring down the cost of prescriptions encouraging price transparency (Kuchler  , 2019). Many Americans are fearful to know the disclosing rates and out of pocket expenses for patients ahead of time, with the medication already being expensive, price transparency will encourage competition of pharmaceutical companies via rising prices (Doctors, 2020). With failure, three years later Trump again pledged for price transparency in 2021 (Doctors, 2020). Does Trump want to support the health of Americans by implementing price control or is he profetting of the corruption himself ? To what extent do American citizens have to suffer for the support of their own president to acknowledge 62% of the population's needs? Without the American government intervening with the lack of price control and financial healthcare support, Americans cannot afford medical treatment enabling frauds in the system limit the funds available to cover those who really do need medical care and continue to steal the taxpayer money.

References: Campbell. K, 2019,’Why are prescription drugs rising?’, [ONLINE] Available at: https://health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/2019-02-06/why-are-prescription-drug-prices-ri sing  [Accessed 1st April 2020]. Kuchler. H, 2019, ‘Why prescription drugs cost so much more in America?’, [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.ft.com/content/e92dbf94-d9a2-11e9-8f9b-77216ebe1f17 [Accessed 1st April 2020]. The Doctors, 2020, ‘Is the american health insurance system broken?’, [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.thedoctorstv.com/videos/new-proposed-law-would-require-price-transparency-in-m edical-care [Accessed 30 March 2020].

Health, Illness and Biomedicine: A sociological Perspective: Weekly Journal 4 - ‘The Doctors’ tv show: Hospital suiting patients

After previous research, ‘The Doctors’ tv show highlights the lack of assistance of the American Government for the essential healthcare needs of 62% of American citizens. Furthermore, optimistic study on the Doctors tv show ‘Money versus Medication’, broadcasting significant social value informing the audience on the repercussions of Healthcare corruption. America’s healthcare system relies on private health insurance (Amadeo, 2020), and charity due to necessary medical treatment like a snake bite costing US$150,000 (Veljanova, 2018) . The corruption of the American healthcare system only leads Americans to go without medication due to rising prices, but also over prescription of drugs, leads to overuse being the gateway to heroin addiction (Kathryn, 2011). When American’s collect needed scripts, they are left with a hefty bill taking the life and paychecks of individuals in the community. A total of 36% of hospitals will aggressively go after patients paychecks, some hospitals bully patients in the community and when the paycheck is not enough they are sued by the hospital, “this act violates the public trust and creates fear for the patients to go to the hospital and get help” (Doctors, 2020). An estimated 28 million Americans used all savings, 21 million incurred large debt, and 21 million were unable to pay for basic necessities (Rustgi, 2008). Some Americans left homeless, others are falling for the pharmaceutical brainwash overusing drugs (Campbell, 2019). If the healthcare systems were put in place once via churches to serve the community, why are american citizens left begging for help ? If the pharmaceutical profiting causes drug addiction and homelessness why isn't Trump providing healthcare support? The lack of healthcare support ultimately affects the less wealthier individuals, The president needs to fix the corruption of the healthcare system to look after all types of americans not only the wealthy and important. Without the support the sick and addicted citizens only have the president to blame. References: Amadeo. K, 2020,  ‘Healthcare inequality in America’, [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.thebalance.com/health-care-inequality-facts-types-effect-solution-4174842] [ Accessed 6th April 2020]. Campbell. K, 2019,’Why are prescription drugs rising?’, [ONLINE] Available at: https://health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/2019-02-06/why-are-prescription-drug-prices-ri sing  [Accessed 6th April 2020]. Kathryn. L, 2011, ‘Strategies to Prevent Opioid Misuse, Abuse, and Diversion That May Also Reduce the Associated Costs’, [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4106581/ [Accessed 8th April 2020] Rustgi. S, 2008, ‘Seeing Red: The Growing Burden of Medical Bills and Debt Faced by U.S. Families’, [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2008/aug/seeing-red-growing-burden-m edical-bills-and-debt-faced-us?redirect_source=/publications/issue-briefs/2008/aug/seeing-red--the-gr owing-burden-of-medical-bills-and-debt-faced-by-u-s--families [Accessed 8th April 2020]

The Doctors, 2020, ‘H  ospitals are Suing Their Own Patients Who Can’t Afford to Pay Surprise Bills’, [ONLINE] Available at: h  ttps://www.facebook.com/TheDoctors/videos/454295005433126/ [Accessed 6th April 2020]. Veljanova. C, 2018, Annete, Mallon, ‘Week 3: Political economy and the social organisation of health care’’, [ONLINE] Available at https://vuws.westernsydney.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-5084907-dt-content-rid-33718275_1/courses/1016 10_2020_aut/Content_Guest%20Lecture%20Videos/Lady%20Annetta%20Mallon/HIB2016/index.html [Accessed 6th April 2020]....