The term medical treatment refers to a variety of procedures used by doctors and other health professionals to diagnose and treat disease or injury. Some examples of medical treatment include suturing wounds, applying a cast to immobilize a broken bone, administering an antibiotic or antiviral drug to treat infection and using hyperbaric oxygen therapy to speed the healing of burns. Other medical treatments include blood tests and X-rays to help physicians diagnose illnesses or injuries, electrocardiograms to detect heart conditions and surgically removing tumors.
There are several factors that affect the cost of medical treatment. Some of these factors are: where you receive care, your doctor and insurance coverage. Hospitals charge higher rates than physicians’ offices and ambulatory surgery centers, but are likely to negotiate prices with your insurance provider. The type of insurance you have also affects the cost. Generally speaking, having employer-sponsored insurance will get you the best rate because the insurer has the leverage to bargain on your behalf.
A common concern about healthcare is the fear of incurring medical expenses that you can’t afford. This fear leads many people to delay or skip getting necessary medical treatment, which can lead to worsening health problems and even death. In fact, a recent study by the Commonwealth Fund found that one in four Americans who were uninsured or had inadequate insurance reported that they delayed or skipped health care due to costs. The Commonwealth Fund also found that more than half of adults with employer-sponsored insurance reported that they or a family member had delayed or skipped health care due to cost concerns.
When it comes to a patient’s health, the decisions made by doctors and other healthcare professionals are often based on the best evidence available about what is most likely to benefit or harm a particular individual. But a patient’s choice of treatment may also be influenced by lifestyle, culture, religion and personal ethics.
It is important that patients and their families understand what medical treatment options are available to them so they can make the decisions that are right for them. This can be done by discussing healthcare goals with loved ones and health care providers, getting involved in advance care planning and asking questions of their doctors.
While physicians are obligated to inform patients about all possible treatments, they must also be frank with them when they believe that certain treatments would be futile. Physicians should also respect patients and their families’ desires and offer viable choices within the scope of good medicine.