A Teen’s Medical Scare in Rome Highlights Stark Healthcare Differences
A family vacation to Italy turned into a harrowing experience when a teenager began exhibiting stroke-like symptoms, revealing a striking contrast between the speed and cost of emergency care in Italy versus the potential realities in the United States.
No one anticipates an emergency room visit while on vacation. But for one family, a long-awaited reunion in Rome took an unexpected turn when their 16-year-old son, Ishaan, began to experience a disturbing visual distortion. “I can’t see my right hand. I am seeing through it,” he told his mother, adding that something felt wrong with his face.
The family had been planning this trip for three years, a gathering of 25 relatives – Canadians, Americans, Australians, and English – descending upon a Roman villa for a much-needed respite filled with tours of iconic landmarks like the Sistine Chapel and Colosseum, and, of course, plenty of gelato. The heat in Rome, however, was oppressive, reaching the mid-90s daily. On July 15th, after a day spent exploring, Ishaan began to feel unwell.
Initial concerns centered around heatstroke, but a nagging feeling prompted his mother to consider a more serious possibility: a stroke. Her brother had previously experienced episodes with similar symptoms before succumbing to kidney cancer at age 44. “Could this be a teen stroke?” she wondered, her heart sinking. Ishaan’s increasing irritability and complaints of a severe headache solidified her fears.
Driven by a cousin’s husband, Alkesh, the family rushed Ishaan to the nearest hospital, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, a private research university. After a period of waiting, Ishaan was connected to monitoring equipment, given an IV, and had blood work drawn. Doctors considered the possibility of a transient ischemic attack – a “mini-stroke” – and ordered a CT scan.
Uncertain about the best course of action, the mother contacted a trusted family friend and physician, Dr. Kanishka Bhattacharya, seeking guidance. “Stay and get the bloodwork and CT scan done. Don’t leave without paperwork and CT results,” Dr. Bhattacharya advised.
The wait continued, and Ishaan’s condition gradually improved. Around 1:00 a.m., the doctor delivered the welcome news: the CT scan was clear. Relief washed over the family.
However, the biggest surprise was yet to come. Upon discharge, the family was informed that there would be no bill. “It’s free,” the doctor explained. “We can’t ask for your insurance information. It’s the law.” While a bill might arrive within five years, the doctor didn’t seem confident it would materialize.
This experience sparked a profound realization. “You got amazing timely care in Rome,” Dr. Bhattacharya later wrote, “Given the pressures the ERs face in USA, this kind of care will be difficult to replicate here.” He pointed out that uninsured patients in the U.S. often face significant delays and financial burdens in emergency situations, a reality absent in Italy’s healthcare system.
The author reflected on a past experience where her parents paid $5,000 for an ambulance trip in 2011, even with travel insurance. She questioned what a similar emergency would cost a foreigner in the United States, suggesting it would likely involve a lengthy stay and a substantial bill.
The contrast prompted a broader consideration of healthcare systems. While not necessarily advocating for a single-payer system, the author pondered the merits of universal healthcare, perhaps modeled after Israel’s system with its blend of capitalism and non-profit health plans. “Do we need this labyrinthine healthcare system that has so many frustrated?” she asked.
Beyond the medical aspects, the family found solace in the unwavering support of their extended network. Cousins from London, Sydney, and Charlotte rallied around the family, providing comfort and companionship to the 13-year-old daughter, Eshaa, while her parents and brother were at the hospital.
Ishaan is now scheduled to see a neurologist upon their return home, and the mother is utilizing ChatGPT to translate the hospital reports from Italian to English. No doctors or money needed here! It’s ChatGPT to the rescue …
