On autonomy, prevention and bleeding out money
Very interesting @Woodbinehealth , thanks for sharing. We have been talking about autonomy in a health care context mostly influenced by this article about the Amish and their community-based approach to health care. The article is striking on many levels. They use the word “autonomy” in the sense of “a state of not having to be coupled with the world at large in a way we find troubling.” Some people in Edgeryders uphold a similar concept, dependency reduction.
Its implications are manifold (I have made a short summary here, but I would recommend reading the whole article if you have not done it already). But basically, it comes down to emphasizing prevention. Illness is not only bad for the individual, it is a burden for the community. You don’t want that, so you try to take responsibility for your health. You adopt a healthy lifestyle: you still might get sick, but at least you’ll have down your best, and you will know that the community knows. This is close to your own attitude, if I understand this right.
Which brings me to a question: wellness, exercise, nutrition are the low hanging fruit, the place where you are likely to get most results per unit of effort. Why not stick to them? Why struggle with licenses and regulatory hurdles?
And again: you mention sustainability, and well you should. Are your present activities sustainable? Or are they bleeding out money?