FW: Making changes in your medical family

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PATIENT ADVOCACY

Making changes in your medical family

By Mark S. Vass

September 4, 2003

Medical professionals such as doctors, nurses and their support staff are no

different than those in other professions.

Just because a doctor has an office that is covered with diplomas and sits

behind a two-ton walnut desk, don't become intimidated. Doctors, as service

providers, are highly educated and experienced, but so are attorneys and

accountants. Anyone in these positions demands respect. On the other hand,

as a consumer, so do you.

You should be treated like family by your doctor and medical staff -- with

mutual respect and understanding.

Consider the following story. Your car requires maintenance and you take it

to the closest garage. You wait for 15 minutes before your presence is

acknowledged. When you are finally approached, you get an uneasy feeling in

the pit of your stomach. You feel that you are not getting the attention and

respect you deserve, and the anticipated cost quoted for services is higher

than you think it should be. You decide to take your business elsewhere.

This story is presented to impart the fact that we, as consumers-any type of

consumers-have responsibilities. Many of us have no problem getting

additional opinions when it comes to getting our car or roof repaired, but

when it comes to our health, we are comfortable with allowing others to make

decisions for us.

Your doctor and the medical process is surrounded by mystery. That is fine

with many consumers because they know that the doctor knows how to heal. The

mystery separates the consumer from personal responsibility. These medical

consumers enter into what is called a " mystery " viewpoint. They become

passive participants in their healthcare.

The opposite of mystery is the " mastery " viewpoint, which is teaching

yourself new coping skills that will place you in a position to where you

ultimately make final decisions.

Because of those who live with a " mystery " viewpoint, two-hour Dateline

specials are produced. One show was about a doctor in Texas who allegedly

had an illegal drug addiction. Unfortunately, multiple patients suffered

from mistakes the doctor made. Throughout the entire two hours, reporters

asked each patient the same questions.

" Before your surgery, did your doctor ever offer an explanation of his past

problems? " " Upon checking into the hospital, did anyone on the hospital

staff ever offer an explanation of problems they've had in the past with

your proposed surgery, or issues about your doctor? "

Not once did a reporter ask a patient, " Did you ever take the initiative and

ask for a second or possibly third opinion? " " Did you ever invest five

minutes to check out your doctor with your State's Board of Medical

Examiners? " " Did you ever create a list of questions for your surgeon,

pre-op nurse, or anesthesiologist that could have educated you with any

unanswered questions? "

Unfortunately, just as in other types of relationships, sometimes the

doctor-patient relationship is not comfortable. This can be caused by

overwhelming difference in personalities or attitudes.

We all know how difficult it can be to locate a new doctor, so there are a

few actions you should try to salvage your relationship.

First, if you have a problem with intimidation, create a handwritten list of

questions and take them with you to your next appointment. Read each

separate question and write down each answer. This way, if you get

emotionally flustered, you will leave your meeting with what you intended.

If this doesn't work, try writing a letter. Putting your concerns in writing

is sometimes much easier than attempting a face-to-face confrontation. (see

next article below)

If this fails, it may be time to start looking for another caregiver.

Remember that doctors are individuals just like you, and we all have

different personalities. The critical point is to not allow relationship

problems to linger to the point that your health becomes negatively

affected.

Remember, the patient working as a TEAM with the health care community

results in the fulfillment of one common goal: The physical and emotional

health of today's medical consumer.

Until next time, good luck and good health!

Mark Vass is author of " The I'm Going in the Hospital Handbook, " a medical

self-help book based on his 30-plus hospital visits over a four-year period.

He has written for multiple regional and national newspapers and magazines

for more than 15 years. Visit Mark's Web site at

www.medicalselfhelpbooks.com.

http://www.ican.com/news/fullpage.cfm/articleid/AAED3941-BA20-4D85-998A0461E

70A1A5F/cx/health.patient_advocacy/article.cfm

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