The Patient Speaks!

Earlier I wrote that patients need to take responsibility in how they present themselves to the doctor.  No, not in evening attire, but making sure the doctor knows exactly what medical issues the patient has.  Except for obvious issues like a broken arm, doctors can only make a diagnosis based on what you tell them.  Something like explaining to a mechanic the intermittent problem with your car that never happens when the mechanic is looking at it.  I have also written about medical networking, where a conversation with one healthcare professional leads to an introduction to another that may be better qualified to help.  Plus read and investigate.  Pursue knowledge.  Here is a true, real life example of how this works:

Because of a September, 2005 the WALL STREET JOURNAL article called “Teaching Doctors How To Interview” by Laura Landro, it prompted me to write about teaching “patients” how to interview doctors.  Also because of Ms. Landro’s article, Doctor Vicki Rackner of Medical Bridges  www.medicalbridges.com in Mercer Island, Washington state, wrote a Letter To The Editor of the WALL STREET JOURNAL talking about how patients needed to know how to interview doctor’s too.  Wow!  A doctor validated my thoughts and I didn’t even have to pay for an office visit.  I contacted Dr. Rackner to express my appreciation and lend support for the notion of patient responsibility.

Because of this seemingly benign series of events, I have learned a tremendous amount, plus now have another contact in my quest for “patient” knowledge.  Dr. Rackner conducted a teleclass series entitled “The Healthy Way To Be Sick” of which I listened in to a few sessions.  Some of the questions to ask yourself, per Dr. Rackner, are:

• Do you and your doctor trust and respect each other?
• Do you and your doctor communicate honestly, understand each other and do what you say you will do?
• Do you understand your medical options and make choices that lead to health?

Topics covered were:

• Choosing a doctor
• Getting the most from your doctor appointments
• Communicating with your doctor: the gracious way to get what you want
• Your health story: know it, tell it and shape it
• Making informed medical choices
• Managing medical information

See?  Just by reading and participating just a little bit, I was able to learn even more about how to cope with my migraine issues, plus any other medical malady I have.  Further, I have a greater understanding of why a doctor will ask certain questions that may seem “off”.   Plus, I repeat that it was very nice to have my thoughts about patient responsibility validated.  Now I have somewhere to point to when I’m asked for more information simply because I read a newspaper article.  So, as Dr. Rackner says about your health story, KNOW IT, TELL IT and SHAPE IT.  After all, it’s your story, so get it right!

Additional Disclaimer: Dr. Lawrence Robbins and myself have no association or agreement with Dr. Vicki Rackner and/or Medical Bridges other than permission by Dr. Rackner to quote and give credit to both herself and the Medical Bridges website.  My sincerest thanks to Dr. Rackner for allowing me to learn even more.