Re: Who are your doctors?

[Guest guest]

Excellent advice Abijan. It helps to remember that your doctors have

hundreds of patients and you are only one of them, so its up to you

to be proactive in your own care. Being informed and having your

questions written down is also important. Do not be afraid to get a

second opinion either.

I was referred to a surgeon once on a simple matter which he thought

did not require surgery to repair but strongly suggested that I have

another surgery on my hiatal hernia. This is a big surgery and has

several risks. Although I had cirrhosis at the time, I had not been

dx yet. He said he was going to refer me to a gastro to get the

referral for surgery. I said I had my own gastro and would consult

him. He practically insisted that I see the one he was referring me

to. When I went to my own gastro he said " Debra why didnt you tell me

that you were having trouble swallowing and having chest pains. I

said do I look like Im having trouble swallowing! I said where did

you get that idea.. He showed me the report from this surgeon.. All

made up symtoms! My point is to also request copies of any labs and

reports your doctor writes on you. It important to know what they

record so that you can challenge it if necessary.

My last PCP's records said that I had a varices bleed in my head.. It

was in my esophagus! So get those records! I have always felt the

same as you about the comparison to seeing a car mechanic. Keep up

the good work, you are a great asset to us all. Debra

>

> I've often heard from patients who are afraid to talk to their

> doctors.

> I know of one woman who, in the olden days, used to dress up in her

> best clothes and look like she was going out on a date whenever she

> had to see her doctor.

> Doctors are people who are educated in the field of medicine.

> Car mechanics are educated in the field of fixing vehicles.

> If you ask a mechanics what is wrong with your car, how they

> will fix it, what it needs to have done, when it will be fixed,

> and how much it costs to repair....then you should do the

> same thing with your doctor with no problem.

>

> You are paying him for his service. Since people are going

> through insurance and paying for the insurance...they tend

> to think, unconsciouly, that others are paying for their care.

> You are...the insurance only negotiates with them to get the

> best rates and to see that you are charged the least amount

> possible so they make a profit.

>

> Think of yourself paying directly to the doctor. He tells

> you what you have wrong and you have to decide whether or

> not it will be done. He is doing you a service, of which

> he is paid a certain amount for.

>

> If the doctor feels you are wasting his time...then I would

> find another doctor. You are paying him for his time.

> He marks on the form different levels of his meetings with

> you and it is based on how long he spends with you in his

> office and how indepth that visit is. If you have a doctor who is

> truly willing to see you get the best care even when you are not in

> his office..you are well blessed. Others will be looking at their

> watch to be sure they get you out of there in 10 minutes

> according to what the insurance wants.

>

> Doctor do not all graduate at the very top of their class

> either. Some are in it for the money and some are in

> it because they truly want to help others, but still have

> money to live on. What is your doctor like? Does he

> really regard you as a patient that needs help...or does

> he just dismiss you as if the only thing that matters is

> the payment...you decide.

>

> On the side of the doctors: If a patient doesn't fill the

> doctor in on everything that is wrong with them; if they

> don't open up and tell the doctor the things they do in

> their life...like drinking alcohol, If they don't want

> to take up the doctors time and rush through the office

> visit...Just remember, you are only hurting yourself.

> The doctor cannot read your mind. Most diagnoses are

> based on what you tell your doctor and his follow up

> tests because of what you say. The doctor is there

> to inform you of your medication, your conditions,

> your health in general...Don't be afraid to talk to

> them and then don't let them leave you in the office

> room until all your questions are answered. You don't

> want to waste their time>>.then write down the

> question you want an answer to ahead of time and take

> it with you. Carry a notebook to write down his

> instructions to you, so you don't have to call in again

> to find things out.

>

> Remember, doctors are human also.

>