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Do Doctors Like Informed Patients Like Us Better?
So the folks on this forum are more educated and informed than most. My question is whether that's a good thing from the doctor's perspective: on the one hand, we are more of a pain in the neck in having our own ideas about treatment; on the other hand, we participate in our own treatment so if something goes wrong, we're less likely to feel blindsided and want to sue. What do you all think?
Views: 160
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sandra Kay Goodwin on
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Absolutely, it is better to be educated on our condition so we will know what works for us and how to deal with it.
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Permalink Reply by assholes showing my profile when on
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I believe physicians who are open receptive and are truly interested in there patients well being, are superior physicians. Any assistance with diagnosis is always welcomed by the modern physicians and their physicians assistants. If a patient can assist me in diagnosis their medical issues then we all win. I just warn patinets regarding the data they read. When researching data, alway be sure that the site is reliable, Web MD, Med Scape, Hospital/Universiy affilated sites are usually excellent site to refer for medical data. Be leary of any other unless they are affiliated with the cause at hand, NADF National Adrenal foundations, Natinal Association of Ophthamology, these are reputable sites.
If a physician refuses to listen to your input, what you feel how you feel what you read and where about what you have then its time to look for another physician.
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Permalink Reply by 99 on
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it is a good thing but do not overplay it because a doctor has spent at least 7 years training to be a doctor and extra years to specialise
let your doctor think he is in charge and milk he for all he is worth where your health is involved
you are the ones who consult a doctor for whatever reason and you want the best
also to get the best out of a doctor try to be the first patient of the day, come afternoon like all mortals they get tired
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Permalink Reply by Amy on
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This can be a double edged sword. It depend on where you gained the education about your treatment. I have many patients who have friends and relatives who tell them how terrible a sleep study and cpap is. They tell them what mask they should use as well. To me this is an issue of not being educated with good information.
The other issue is when they are half educated and they self diagnose and they do not really know enough. Sometimes they are not open to the complete information.
Now if you are talking abou tthe people on this website and similar ones as well of ones who look at both sides of an issue then I love those people and will even help them find more information. I have even place a link to this site on my personal website for cpap users
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Permalink Reply by Sleeping Ugly on
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I had a doctor tell me, "The internet is the bane of my existence". I do not think MOST doctors appreciate educated patients. In part, I think it's fair because it is near impossible to be sufficiently educated, and a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Then the doctor has to spend a lot of time explaining to the patient why whatever they uncovered on the internet actually has no bearing on their situation. But it is far easier for a doctor to have a patient that knows so little that they just nod their head and do as told, never questioning. But perhaps I've artificially coupled knowledge with lots of questions, simply because they seem to go hand in hand for me.
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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on
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All I know about my sleep doc is that he's pretty darn nice to me. Maybe my reputation preceded me!! But he listens, for the most part, to what I say. With the notable exception of my reporting TWICE that I was having a lot of trouble with sinus symptoms--once in September and when I saw him again in December. He pretty much just glossed it over. I didn't know enough at the time to explain any further than I had and wasn't having active sx at the time, so I'm not impressed with that. Guess I'll find out next time I see him in another 4 months 'cause I'm going armed with the reality.
I think I'll call in after I see my PCP for follow-up to tomorrow and tell sleep doc what's been going on, and how many people are involved in trying to help me. Can't wait for him to ask why I didn't call HIM, 'cause I'm gonna tell him that what I'm talking about is a true treatment issue, responds to treatment, and I hope he'll pay attention next time I mention it.
Probably depends on the level of arrogance of the doctor. The really good MDs generally are happy to have patients who participate in their own treatment and follow appropriate recs. In my experience, they tend to get cranky if patients are non-compliant but continue to complain. Can't say I blame 'em for THAT one.
I tend to try to work WITH my docs--it makes for better treatment success for me. But I ask LOTS of questions, i.e., why are we doing this? prescribing this? side effects? not being clear about stuff? what does this mean? where do we go from here? or "I'm scared--help me understand this!", etc. Usually I'll get answers that are helpful. BUT I always have to do some research before I do that 'cause I want to speak from a point of personal knowledge of whatever it is. I also write down questions if I have more than 2-3.
And sometimes I decide to rely on the knowledge of the MD's recs, even if I don't like it. For instance, I take a lot of potentially-toxic medications for heart disease. I've challenged my cardiologist several times during the past 4+ years about the necessity of taking them, that they scare me because of the combinations of meds I KNOW don't mix well, that they make me feel like crap and drain my energy, that I don't like the side effects and all the lab testing I have to have to monitor liver/kidneys, yak, yak, yak. He's always VERY kind and reassuring but doesn't try to tell me I'm wrong. ('cause I know I'm not!)--what he continues to say is that my heart is doing very well with this treatment protocol, that it's the gold-standard for CAD, and that, in his opinion, this is my best shot at living a long and healthy life despite having heart disease. He never blows my concerns off, and they're always the same every time I go in!! We talk about it, and I make a decision based on my level of trust in him. I KNOW that he really does have my best interests at heart, and I trust him. AFTER he answers all my questions and listens to my very same concerns every time!!!!! He's a patient young man......
Having written this just now, it occurs to me that the only MDs I've ever had problems with were the ones who don't really like to talk to patients. Some of 'em really don't! How ridiculous is THAT, to be doing primary people care up close and personal, and yet not want to TALK???? Career counseling comes to mind..... lol
Okay, I'm done. My opinion only, per usual.
Susan McCord :-)
He DOES actively involve me in treatment planning, weight management, and has clearly appreciated my significant weight loss and compliance with CPAP. He's expressed that both verbally to me, in the office, and in reports he sends to my other 2 MDs.
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Do Doctors Like Informed Patients Like Us Better?
I would say the majority do NOT. And most certainly not sleep specialists. I've encountered 5 sleep specialists thru the years. One said I asked "too many unnecessary questions", one said my questions were "irrelevant", two were pleasant but obviously weren't interested in the data, ignored my questions and couldn't wait to move on to the next patient, altho one was tolerant of my requests, and one was just plain outright antagonistic that I even had a fully data capable xPAP.
I have an Ob/Gyn who appreciates any information I provide or ask about, as does my Endocrinologist. My gastro has acted on some of the information I've presented or questioned her about. My family doctor is supportive. It took some REAL doctor shopping to find this family doctor when my family doctor of many years died. He has been the one to refer me to the excellent specialists mentioned above.
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Those who are responding with negative answers, can you state the age you believe your physician is??Just want to know. I graduated from PA school and it was driven that patient input is crucial to diagnosis. I had a entire course on patient provider communication. I tend to think the older and sometimes stuffy generation physicians are more like that. ias a pA welcome all and any input a patient can provide to asist with dianosis.
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I totally agree with you, Amy.
Susan McCord :-)
Amy said:This can be a double edged sword. It depend on where you gained the education about your treatment. I have many patients who have friends and relatives who tell them how terrible a sleep study and cpap is. They tell them what mask they should use as well. To me this is an issue of not being educated with good information.
The other issue is when they are half educated and they self diagnose and they do not really know enough. Sometimes they are not open to the complete information.
Now if you are talking abou tthe people on this website and similar ones as well of ones who look at both sides of an issue then I love those people and will even help them find more information. I have even place a link to this site on my personal website for cpap users
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I have had the entire range of ages. I'm not trying to be negative. I just think that many doctors are pressed to see too many patients in a short period of time, and anything that slows them down is not looked on favorably. Sure, it is helpful to them if they don't have to explain to me what an apnea is or define periodic limb movements, and maybe they appreciate that. But do they appreciate it when I have a list of questions based on what I've been reading? For example, if a patient who reads nothing but has heard that GERD could cause sleep issues mentions that, the doctor might say, "Yes, but in the absence of daytime symptoms of GERD, I think it's unlikely." They're done. But if the doctor says that and the patient responds, "But what about Shaheen, et al's 2008 study showing yada yada?" Now the doctor is late to see his next patient.
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Absolutely true, at least for the most part. In my experience. My cardiologist, who saved my life 4+ years ago, was 37 years old at the time. Younger than both my sons! At first I was suspicious, didn't trust him because of his age, etc. My younger son just kicked my ass into next week for judging this heart doc based on his age and the fact that he looked about 19. (still does). But the minute he walked into surgery, I just KNEW I was in capable hands. Before he started working on me, I confessed to him that I'd been calling him Doogie Houser to all my family and friends, and that I was sorry! He just roared with laughter, standing there ready to stick stuff into my heart and said, "Oh, Susan, don't worry about it--I get that ALL the time!"
THAT is the man, and the doctor, I absolutely trust with my life. He's STILL younger than both my kids!!
My PCP, who I've gone to for 35 years, is now in his 60's, same as me. He's the same kind of sit-down, what's going on kind of MD. I'm lucky........
McCord
richard rydza said:Those who are responding with negative answers, can you state the age you believe your physician is??Just want to know. I graduated from PA school and it was driven that patient input is crucial to diagnosis. I had a entire course on patient provider communication. I tend to think the older and sometimes stuffy generation physicians are more like that. ias a pA welcome all and any input a patient can provide to asist with dianosis.
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Listen to Richard.........
richard rydza said:I believe physicians who are open receptive and are truly interested in there patients well being, are superior physicians. Any assistance with diagnosis is always welcomed by the modern physicians and their physicians assistants. If a patient can assist me in diagnosis their medical issues then we all win. I just warn patinets regarding the data they read. When researching data, alway be sure that the site is reliable, Web MD, Med Scape, Hospital/Universiy affilated sites are usually excellent site to refer for medical data. Be leary of any other unless they are affiliated with the cause at hand, NADF National Adrenal foundations, Natinal Association of Ophthamology, these are reputable sites.
If a physician refuses to listen to your input, what you feel how you feel what you read and where about what you have then its time to look for another physician.
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