Doing some research for my directed study…trying to decide where to put my focus and I my friend Stacey gave me a chapter to read that she found helpful and just wanted to share a part of it with everyone :)
“Unfortunately, physicians often receive little or no training in communication skills. Doctors are confronted daily with patients’ fears and insecurities, which may be increased or alleviated during visits. When communication is abrupt and cursory, the patient is left with unanswered questions, misunderstandings, and additional fears that may negatively affect the treatment outcome. To doctors who give orders rather than offer explanations, “difficult” patients are those who ask many questions and expect to participate in their health care. Doctors who demand patient compliance, ignore patient input, and act too busy to care are “difficult” doctors.
We want doctors to be something more than mechanics. We expect them to pay attention to our concerns and treat us with compassion as well as competence - a lot to ask, but the only path to successful treatment. We appreciate new technology but abhor its overuse. Treatment of the whole patient is essential - not just test results, isolated symptoms, or body parts, but the whole human being. We benefit most from doctors who communicate well, behave respectfully, and consider alternative approaches to healing and medicine, exercise, and nutrition. All healing is scientific, according to Bernie Siegel, M.D., even when we cannot explain how the healing occurs.
Patients and doctors each have responsibilities in their relationship. A true partnership between doctor and patient combines the perceptions and strengths of both based on a foundation of communication, trust, and mutual participation.”
Katrina Berne “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Other Invisible Illnesses” Chapter - Medical Care
After all I’ve been going through lately I couldn’t agree with this more. Not just with medical Dr’s either psychologists can be just as bad at using a checklist of symptoms to meet criteria in order to diagnose and collect their money. We have to stop this. There needs to be a change in the way we treat human beings in both the medical and mental health field. Oh and just in case you were wondering…there is no such thing as a good cancer and no we don’t like hearing that as cancer patients!
I love what Fran Drescher has to say about being a patient…we are not patients we are consumers and as consumers we need to be educated. That’s the second part of all of this. I hate leaving a Dr’s office feeling as if I have no say in anything. That I am a number to them. Thank god my Endocrinologist nor Oncologist treat me this way..they are both amazing Doctors!! There are so many other Dr’s out there that I’ve had that run through a list and ask questions and if I don’t know any better about the topic I have no idea what to ask or if a proper examination even took place.
I need to be the change I want to see! Directed study…..you are going to be amazing once I figure out how to narrow down what the freak I really want to write about. What aspect of my thoughts will make a great directed study…hm…Must keep reading to find out :)
