Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Our healthcare system and our society! I am going to cover a very complex problem today. This is, in my opinion, the deep reason leading to most of our societal arguments and problems. It is a little philosophical, but it pertains to all of us. Each of us has needs that are very individual. Each of us has an EGO. This is not a bad meaning ego. Ego, which means as an individual, is not a bad thing. It refers to our own identity, self- worth, personal self-respect, and confi- dence. Some philosopher called it a hub of our own consciousness. To have and know our own ego is healthy and helps us in survival of many challenging sit- uations. As we identify our needs (and our wants), we prioritize those that are necessary to stay alive and healthy, to be functional in a community, and live our lives to fulfill our goals. The social problem occurs when our EGO wants to control individuals out- side of our self. We very easily can become EGOCENTRIC. This is a very anti-social conduct of some individ- uals who are unable to recognize and value EGOs of others. They do not see the self-worth of individuals other than themselves. Egocentric people see only their own point of view; they care about fulfilling only their goals regardless of any potential harm done to others during the process. Egocentric people often overstate their abilities to be the only one 'right', able to complete proj- ects, they often feel they deserve more because they are 'better' and 'smarter' than others. Dema fine and the system works for you, then you are egocentric. If you have enough money to buy your prescription and you get impatient with a person in front of you who discusses possible less expen- sive options due to the cost, yes, you are kind of egocentric too. When we change the environment and we place the same individuals in the process of buying an expensive boat, well, that is a different story. A boat is not a subject of ethics or healthy life. It is a luxury some of us can afford and some cannot. But nobody suffers from not buying a boat. On the other hand, if someone is short on cash to buy monthly diabetic medication, it is highly ethical for us as a society to scream for a change. That person will suffer and potentially can die. In healthcare, egocentrism is more dangerous than any other environment. People in healthcare system are patients, patients who are sick and need assis- tance from professionals. Sick patients should not be divided into insured and uninsured groups. Individuals in both equally are humans who deserve to be helped. If you have medical insurance and you feel you are 'better' than those without, then you become egocentric. If you feel that your insurance is just Michael Bukhalo MD Running fast in our daily duties, we often forget that we truly are all equal. All of us are physiologically function- al humans who will eventually die. As equal humans, we can differ by the brand of a car or a boat, but we should not differ by access to basic medical care and medication. We should not be egocentric while we can maintain our own individual ego. Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Our healthcare system and our society ! I am going to cover a very complex problem today . This is , in my opinion , the deep reason leading to most of our societal arguments and problems . It is a little philosophical , but it pertains to all of us . Each of us has needs that are very individual . Each of us has an EGO . This is not a bad meaning ego . Ego , which means as an individual , is not a bad thing . It refers to our own identity , self- worth , personal self - respect , and confi- dence . Some philosopher called it a hub of our own consciousness . To have and know our own ego is healthy and helps us in survival of many challenging sit- uations . As we identify our needs ( and our wants ) , we prioritize those that are necessary to stay alive and healthy , to be functional in a community , and live our lives to fulfill our goals . The social problem occurs when our EGO wants to control individuals out- side of our self . We very easily can become EGOCENTRIC . This is a very anti - social conduct of some individ- uals who are unable to recognize and value EGOs of others . They do not see the self - worth of individuals other than themselves . Egocentric people see only their own point of view ; they care about fulfilling only their goals regardless of any potential harm done to others during the process . Egocentric people often overstate their abilities to be the only one ' right ' , able to complete proj- ects , they often feel they deserve more because they are ' better ' and ' smarter ' than others . Dema fine and the system works for you , then you are egocentric . If you have enough money to buy your prescription and you get impatient with a person in front of you who discusses possible less expen- sive options due to the cost , yes , you are kind of egocentric too . When we change the environment and we place the same individuals in the process of buying an expensive boat , well , that is a different story . A boat is not a subject of ethics or healthy life . It is a luxury some of us can afford and some cannot . But nobody suffers from not buying a boat . On the other hand , if someone is short on cash to buy monthly diabetic medication , it is highly ethical for us as a society to scream for a change . That person will suffer and potentially can die . In healthcare , egocentrism is more dangerous than any other environment . People in healthcare system are patients , patients who are sick and need assis- tance from professionals . Sick patients should not be divided into insured and uninsured groups . Individuals in both equally are humans who deserve to be helped . If you have medical insurance and you feel you are ' better ' than those without , then you become egocentric . If you feel that your insurance is just Michael Bukhalo MD Running fast in our daily duties , we often forget that we truly are all equal . All of us are physiologically function- al humans who will eventually die . As equal humans , we can differ by the brand of a car or a boat , but we should not differ by access to basic medical care and medication . We should not be egocentric while we can maintain our own individual ego . Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net