A smart patient is one that does everything possible to prevent being a patient!
I have fond memories of the doctor I had as a child. He always seemed to know just what to do and mother never questioned his diagnosis. He spent plenty of time reassuring me and my mother that all would be well by the time my two week follow up visit came around. My doctor knew me, my medical history , and made sure he took the time needed to listen and make an accurate diagnosis. Ahh… those were the best of times in medical care. No HMO dictating what tests could or could not be run, no hefty insurance premiums that forbid many from obtaining medical care. There were no soaring prescription costs that made the elderly choose between their food for the week and their medications.
Yes…this is a new era in medicine and there have been many wonderful advances since my childhood days. But there has been a setback in the “feel good” side of the healing arts. Now there is a sense that you are more of a number than a patient, an insurance premium, rather than someone who needs a little extra time to understand the condition being treated, and finally the sense that you are not being heard when you list your symptoms while the physician looks at his watch. I am not blaming the doctors, because unfortunately, this is the way medicine has gone. From personal to somewhat impersonal as both doctors and patients struggle to get their needs and demands met. Patients from their doctors and doctors from their mounting malpractice, overhead, HMO limitations, and heavy workload as more chronic diseases have erupted than ever before in our history which require continuous management and treatment.
What can you do the insure that you are receiving the proper care and management of your condition? The answer is to become “proactive” in terms in your health. The first step is to find a doctor that is willing to include you in your medical care. In other words, the two of you become a team so to speak. This way you will have a respect for one another that will ultimately lead to a win win situation for both doctor and patient. Here is how a team should work…… when the doctor runs blood work, always ask for a copy to be sent to you. You then keep a folder of all blood work so that you can make note of all high and low levels on the report and discuss it with your doctor on your next visit. It is important for you both to be on the same page. This will help you both maximize both time and treatment.
When the doctor prescribes medication, make sure you understand risk/benefit ratios of the drug, side effects etc and will it interact with any current medication that you are taking. As far as the cost of the medication, ask if there is a generic (off label) available.
Lastly……….become educated on any health conditions you may have. It has been said that YOU know your body better than anyone. Report any new and unusual or intensifying symptoms to your doctor right away. Prompt attention can often result in better outcomes both health wise and financially.
Keep in mind that the smartest patient is one that takes responsibility for his health by sleeping enough, exercising, not smoking, limiting alcohol, laughs with friends, loves much, and forgives even more.
