Many people have seen and enjoyed the move “Patch Adams” that was made in 1998. The movie was very funny and it depicted a guy named Patch Adams who entered a mental institution as a patient, but left as a physician. He truly wanted to help people, and throughout the movie his real goal was made evident: he wanted to start a free clinic that would help patients in their troubles.
What many people may not realize or may forget when watching the movie is that the free clinic that is being talked about in the movie is actually a real project started by a real man named Patch Adams. His idea for the clinic is called the Gesundheit Hospital, a project based in West Virginia that has been in the works for over 30 years. Patch Adams’ idea for the Gesundheit Institute is that it be a free clinic where everyone can enjoy health care, friendship, and free treatment. He and a couple of his colleagues have already seen and treated over 15,000 patients who have come to Patch’s temporary institution that is based in Arlington, Virginia. However, they are working on gathering more funds in order to build a permanent hospital.
The Idea Behind Gesundheit! Institute
Patch Adams’ dream was to make a totally free hospital where no one would have to be worried about paying hospital bills or even worry themselves with the thought of health insurance. His idea is to create a social institution that would combine many health treatments, along with the social aspect of being a patient in the hospital. Patch Adams believes that the current system of health care is not working for hospital patients and he addresses several problems with the health care system, including malpractice medical lawsuits, as well as the rising cost of health care.
The patients would essentially be workers for the hospital, doing whatever they can to help out. Humor is another important aspect of the Gesundheit! Institute. Patch Adams’ believed that people truly enjoy being in a fun and humor-filled environment when they are surrounded by friends. Humor would be infused into the hospital along with all the other social and health aspects of the institution.
Unfortunately, the Gesundheit Hospital has not broken ground as of 2007. They are in the process of receiving funding to build the hospital. It is a shame, however, that it hasn’t taken hold yet, because I believe that it would be a true life-changing event for the whole medical and medicinal field.
Until the Gesundheit Hospital becomes reality, however, Patch Adams and his colleagues continue speaking around the country in order to get the message out that the current system of health care in the United States needs to be changed. Making Patch Adams’ dream become a true reality for everyone would, indeed, be an awesome feat to accomplish!
