Sorry, Dr. Rob. Ok, not really, but I don't mean to be a thorn in your side. Do you trust your doctor? What a question and you have no clue how I reined in all I wanted to say. The short answer: NO.The long answer: read my blog. Ok, I can get you started:
Vituperation [vahy-too-puh-rey-shuhn, -tyoo-, vi-] is.......
What did I say to Dr. Rob? Well, really to all the doctors who read his blog, not just him. (He just has the guts to bring up the tough stuff.) I tried to convey a lot in as few words as possible. Obviously, I was pretty wordy anyhow.
I used to believe doctors were infallible. Ok, close to it, anyhow. But my battle with Cushing’s disease (excuse me for bringing it up again, Dr. Rob, but it’s what I know) tainted my belief in just about all doctors. I won’t go into details. You don’t need that. You didn’t cause it. But, I believe, like all people in all walks of life, there are good and there are not-so-good practitioners. That goes for doctors, too. And I believe a person has to be well-informed and take charge of her medical knowledge in order to prevent inadvertent negligence.
I doubt you trust all auto mechanics, computer repair persons, or hair dressers/barbers. Why should we, as patients, trust all doctors? We can’t. Peggikaye has some excellent points above. Just as you have to have some knowledge about your vehicle, computer and what you think your hair dresser should or shouldn’t do, so should we about our doctors.
I very much understand why doctors would be upset with “know-it-all” patients who don’t listen to them. But perhaps the same is happening in reverse. Isn’t half of medical care actually listening to the patient? And what makes doctors think that we are so stupid we can’t learn, too? (Present company excluded, of course.) Just because I chose a different path in life does not mean I can’t study and learn what they learn. Perhaps I know more than many doctors on some subjects. I guarantee Peggikaye and I do on certain subjects, especially when it comes to our bodies and illnesses.
How often do doctors really read the new research and keep up with new diagnosis and treatment options? I believe the answer is “not nearly enough”. That is why the patient has to research and then find a doctor who has or who is willing to learn. That’s what I did. I found a specialist all the way across the country who knew what was wrong with me. I found a PCP who was/is willing to learn. It’s a good combination, but I suffered a lot until I did. And the delay almost cost me my life. Am I angry. You bet. At you, no. At many doctors I saw in the past? Yes. At doctors in general? I don’t know. I don’t know with whom to be angry. Medical schools? The “system”? What? Whom?
What is the answer to the above? I’d love to hear it. I know I’m only seeing it from my side, but no doctor has been willing to share with me from his/her side. I’d like to suggest some posts on that from the doctors on these medical blogs.
(As a sidenote, I have never been disrespectful with any doctor. I have been angry, however. I have never minded paying and always pay what is asked, but I do mind when I don’t get anything for the expense. And that is the difference. I had to learn to be assertive and proactive.)
Respectfully posted.
Robin
P.S. I forgot to mention that I've also thanked the doctors who have helped me. And I've always tried to "pay it forward" with any help I get.
P.P.S The rose picture was taken by my mother. It's a old-timey rose that she has propagated from one her mother had. Her mother propagated it from an ancestor, but I'm not sure which one. It's my favorite rose of all time. Nothing fancy, will grow anywhere, and it signifies the beautiful roots of my family. (I love my family, can you tell?)
