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I am writing a book. I'd like input from doctors, PA's & NPs. The question is: What do you wish your patients knew or would do that would help you provide their care?
Thank you
asked Feb 28, 2011 at 08:25PM in General Medicine
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0Votes
answered Mar 03, 2011 at 08:55PMMy answer: feel free, not intimidated, to speak up to the doctor and express your personal concerns both about your illness, diagnosis and treatment but also about aspects of the
care you are receiving. Because of what appears to be a power imbalance between the physician and patient---the patient on the weak side, I am sure that many patients are fearful of asking some questions or talking with the doctor about issues of their care. Patient's should realize that for the best in medical care, the doctor-patient relationship should be considered as a level playing field.
The physician, despite appearing to the patient as an "all-knowing" figure and perhaps with skills not present with the patient can often not be able to utilize his or her knowledge or skills effectively without the personal historical knowledge of the patient and the patient's willingness to be examined and willingness to be educated about their disease and willingness to be compliant with the therapy. Part of this necessary action by the patient to maintain that level playing field is to feel free to speak up to the doctor. ..Maurice. -
0Votesanswered Mar 15, 2011 at 07:25PMMaurice,
Thank you so much for your input. I wish patients, especially the elderly could understand this, and that more doctors felt this way. I speak to patient groups on a regular basis trying to raise their awareness to the need to become equal psrtners in their care and take a shared responsibility in it. I hope to bring the patient perspective to the medical community in the near future.
Thanks again for your input,
Margo -
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answered Mar 16, 2011 at 01:23AMPatients MUST be open and forthcoming about any issues they have with giving you the whole story. Ther Clinician/Patient relationship only works when the communication goes two ways. I sugest patients write their questions down on paper and hand it to the Clinician. Many of us are rushed and have our own ideas of what info we need. The written list in my hands means I have to address each question. If interrupted I can go back to the list and finish answering the questions. -
0Votesanswered Mar 16, 2011 at 11:37AMI think an equally important point for discussion about the doctor (clinician)-patient relationship is what the patient SHOULD NOT know. For example, how much and what of the physician's professional or non-professional (personal) background should the patient be allowed to be ignorant? For example, in the personal-professional context: should the patient be aware that the physician has a current marital dispute which has become professionally distracting? If not, why not or, if yes, what and how much should the patient be allowed to know? Do patients who may be subjecting their lives to the knowledge and skill of a particular physician have full but pertinent personal and professional information available about the selected physician to allow the patient truly informed consent? Ahh! That's the question. ..Maurice.
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0Votesanswered Mar 16, 2011 at 05:16PMStephen,
I agree the "whole story" is critical, but most patients don't know how to tell their story or what to include in it. Because few keep notes about what is happening as it happens, they can't even remember half of what they should tell.
Maurice,
You raise a great question. The first form for my first book, The Savvy Patient's Toolkit, came into my head the night my husband was told he was in kidney failure and might not live through the night. His doctor had failed to connect his symptoms over many months to each other or to his underlying conditions. When we started using her she had no children and seemd sharp as a tack, but 10 years later, by the time this event occurred, she had 4 children. We have often wonder if this change in her life had an impact on his situation.
In a profession where errors are not admitted, what are the chances physicians would be willing to disclose personal information and it's impact on their ability to do their job?
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The content on or accessible through Medpedia.com is for informational purposes only. Medpedia is not a substitute for professional advice or expert medical services from a qualified health professional.
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