Cover Story:
The Politics of Electrical Therapy.

Therapy Closeup:
Patello-Femoral Maltracking.

Bit's n' Pieces:
MET: The Big Picture. What's it all about?

The Fact Files:
Scientific research in support of Electrical Stimulation for post-operative pain relief.

The Politics of Mobile Electro Therapy (MET)

by William James Lamers (Jim)

• Reliance on healthcare providers for guidance
• Lopsided funding of Health Care
• Adoption of MET
• Savings
• Is the Adoption of MET expecting too much?
• Where MET is having success
• Denial of Human Rights

It would be a great thing to be able to say that there are no politics behind the use of such versatile and useful equipment as Mobile Electro Therapy stimulators. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Year after year, for what is now approaching several decades, manufacturers of Electrical Therapy devices have watched on as less effective, more expensive and potentially more dangerous therapies have taken favour amongst health care providers. Year after year, the question continues to be asked: Why is Mobile Electro Therapy still not considered a treatment of choice for pain relief, healing and rehabilitation when there is so much evidence to support it?

The escalating cost of health care is a major concern to many of Australia's leaders. However, the policy advisers are also the primary recipients of these tax-payer dollars. So asking them, the service providers, to endorse measures that reduce costs is asking them to endorse a pay cut. End result - no such advice or endorsement is forthcoming.

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There is practically no incentive in Australia's health care system for the provision of funding directed to individuals who wish to take positive action in caring for their own state of health. Until the government and insurers realize that personal health care should be promoted and funded appropriately, the cost of our national health care system will continue to rise.

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Imagine the savings if GP's were to embrace and encourage the use of intensively applied MET instead of prescribing multiple pharmaceuticals, having patients attend for intensive physiotherapy, risk an Investigative-Consultancy-Treatment-Roundabout & attend for what may well be unnecessary surgery.

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• The Commonwealth Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme has no provision to subsidize the cost of advanced MET systems, even though pharmaceuticals now cost the Federal Government close to 2.5 billion dollars per year.
• Community health care centres and state hospitals have minimal provisions to make advanced MET systems available, although the cost of providing a system to a patient may be less than a single hospital outpatient visit (orthopaedics department). The provision of MET may be all that the patient requires, and could negate the need for multiple return visits.
• Compulsory and private health care insurers are generally not aware of the savings available to themselves and to their contributors with the use of multiple modality MET stimulators.
• In the belief that they are saving costs, health care insurers only fund the use of MET on the recommendation of health care providers. This recommendation, however, is not forthcoming if health care providers are more interested in maintaining the status quo.

The practice of medicine is largely involved in consulting, counseling, drug prescription, performing surgery etc. Medical practice is not involved in patient self care, therefore the self care nature of MET is of minor interest.

Physical therapists and other para-medical practitioners are unable to provide the space or time required for extended therapy, or treatment out of office hours, so vital to the success of electrotherapy treatment.

Professionals do not see any advantage for themselves in a patient self treatment system.

The very nature of self care MET is against the interests of health care providers. Imagine a therapist recommending a piece of equipment for a patient that would reduce the need for the therapist who made the recommendation - both for the current ailment and any future physical problems.

It appears that MET's therapeutic effectiveness, ease of use and low cost is a stumbling block to its recommendation by health professionals. Those professionals that do use electrical stimulation as a treatment method, usually use very bulky and expensive equipment. Not only does this equipment offer no significant advantage over MET, but the high price tag imparts on them an 'exclusivity' that precludes patients from obtaining that equipment for themselves.

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• By those who have been taken in circles by the current medical system without getting closer to a solution.
• By those who cannot physically tolerate the use of analgesics or anti-inflammatories, and by those who wish to reduce their intake of medications.
• By those in remote regions who do not have easy access to a range of health professionals.
• By those who wish to save money, time and travel going to and from health professionals.

Frankly, there are people who are missing out on adequate health care, and for a range of reasons:

• There are those who are unable to tolerate the adverse side effects of anti-inflammatory medication and opiate based pain medication - and are being offered no recourse such as the use of Mobile Electro Therapy.
• There are those who simply do not wish to take medication, or as much as may be prescribed by their physicians.
• There are those who need physical therapy, but cannot afford to spend the money or the time to get the level of treatment they deserve.

All this is a sad and seemingly hopeless state of affairs. And after struggling with it for so long, there are times when I feel it's all too much myself.

But there is an answer. There is a way that the minds and hearts of people in decision making positions can be swayed. And that is, quite simply, the power of personal experience and proof.

As time goes on, more and more people come across mobile electro therapy - and they see it for what it is. They tell their friends. And their friends tell more friends.

As time goes on, more and more research evidence accumulates as to the effectiveness of this therapy. Members of the scientific community read these papers. And they pass these papers onto their friends. And their friends tell more friends.

I am a firm believer that there will come a time when politicians and policy advisers can no longer ignore the weight of all these voices. At that time, walls that were once only cracked, will crumble and allow the flood waters of truth to spill forth. In all honesty, I can't say when that day will come. But it will. And then everyone will benefit from the knowledge we now take for granted.