Today’s New York Times has a fascinating look at how U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-MA, arrived at the decision to have surgery for a malignant brain tumor. Reading it, I was struck by the fact that, in many ways, Kennedy’s process was apparently much like that which is recommended to medical tourists and travelers. Initially, doctors and surgeons in Massachusetts suggested that the tumor, discovered May 20 after the senator suffered a seizure, was inoperable. Ultimately, Kennedy gathered opinions from leading experts from six or more medical institutions and chose to have surgery. He did not have it in Massachusetts, but rather flew to North Carolina for surgery at Duke University on June 2. According to The Times, “… whether the surgery was justified or not, that Mr. Kennedy had it at Duke embarrassed the Massachusetts General Hospital, a Harvard teaching institution.”

Further, from The Times:

“Several doctors not connected with Mr. Kennedy’s case said in interviews that they admired his resourcefulness in getting more opinions simultaneously. At the same time, these doctors said many average patients gained competent advice, without a command performance, by sending pertinent records to experts for their opinions.

“Many patients search the Internet for medical information and ask that their scans and other data be sent electronically or by overnight services.

“Then such patients visit, call or write the consultant.”

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The United States healthcare system in 2008 gets an overall grade of 65 out of 100, according to a study relased late last week by the Commonwealth Fund’s Commission on a High Performance Health System. The U.S. ranked last among 19 nations surveyed in the number of deaths that may have been avoided with the proper care in 2002-2003, falling from 15th place in 1997-98.

I wince when I type sentences like that. Anyone familiar with my work knows that I’ve gone out of my way on more than one occasion to NOT say that healthcare in other countries is somehow “better” than that available in the U.S.  I note U.S. strengths in high-end care and technology and its leading role in medical research. I know overseas surgeons who have told me that, all other things being equal, they consider their peers in the United States to be the most advanced.

The problem is that all other things are not equal. The United States lags behind, badly, in the commission’s 37 different indicators of healthy lives, quality, access, efficiency and equity, compared to other countries.

Here’s some coverage of the study by major media:

• While the U.S. Spends Heavily on Health Care, a Study Faults the Quality (New York Times)
• U.S. health system scores a D in new report card (CBS Marketwatch)
• U.S. Health Care Still Ill, Survey Finds (HealthDay, Washington Post)

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Readers of this blog get first crack at the best seats for BridgeHealth International Inc.’s first-ever medical tourism “Webinar” on Friday, May 30 at 11 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time.

The free online event will feature Stephanie Sulger, RN. MS, VP of BridgeHealth’s Consumer Division; and Will Garin, VP of marketing for the Denver-based company. The one-hour presentation is open to the first 125 people to register online:

Webinar Online Registration Link

No special software or hardware is required to view and participate in the Webinar. The presentation is recommended for “anyone who has ever wondered what medical tourism is really like,” Garin said. “It gives people a place to start and a place to get their questions answered.”

Sulger, a pioneer in the medical travel and tourism industry, is frequently called upon to assess health and safety factors at medical destinations and is often quoted in media such as The New York Times and Good Housekeeping magazine, as well as appearing on ABC television speaking about issues facing the medical travel industry. In her career, she has assisted more than 3,000 clients in obtaining care in overseas facilities, including for orthopedics, neurosurgery, general surgery, cosmetic surgery, GYN, urology and stem cell therapy.

BridgeHealth is the sponsor of this blog. You can expect to see the moderator at the webinar, providing there’s an extra seat …