Health Care: The Right Questions

In his recent Boston Globe article, "Are we Asking the Right Questions", Leon Neyfakh tells us,

 "A question is more than the simple thing we might think it is – it’s a unique and potentially sophisticated instrument. Wielded with purpose and care, a question can become a sophisticated and potent tool to expand minds, inspire new ideas, and give us surprising power at moments when we might not believe we have any.” 

It’s a great article, and as I read it I thought of our current national health care dilemma. If any area of our lives needs a “potent tool to expand minds and inspire new ideas”, it’s probably health care.

The first question that comes to mind is, “Are we asking the right questions?” It seems like our questions mainly focus on our existing health care model, which concerns itself almost exclusively with the physical dimension of health, and tends to take--rather than offer--control of our individual health.

But what if we asked bolder and better questions? One such question might be, “How can we take more control of our own health?”

In the process of thinking about this question, I found The Right Question Institute, self-described as a "Catalyst for Micro-Democracy”. In the health care arena, RQI seeks to make it possible for patients to:

• partner with health care providers
• participate in decisions that affect them
• navigate the health care system
• take more ownership of their own health

If we were to take more ownership of our own health, we might ask questions like:

• How can I live a healthier life?
• Can I expand my concept of health beyond the physical realm?
• What are the most affordable ways to be and stay healthy?
• Are there effective alternatives to traditional health care models?

In my own family, health care has always started with spiritual study and prayer. Our practice of Christian Science  has taught us that developing and maintaining a closeness to God deepens a spiritual sense about life in general. This deepening spirituality promotes not just physical health, but healthy progress in other areas as well---intellectual, emotional, educational....even financial. In this light, health care includes but goes way beyond healthy bodies.

Real progress in health care will require big and bold questions that will inspire new ideas. Wielded with purpose and care, the right questions may be the most powerful tool we have to create a healthier nation.