If you wonder why I praise Dr. Rob
Lamberts, take time to read a few of his blogs. Not only are they
doctor oriented, but they are also meant for the patient to read and
learn. He stopped blogging for some time last year, but is back and
putting more common sense out for patients to use.
This blog is
excellent reading and should be paid attention to since he openly
admits doctors are fallible and make mistakes. Even I picked up some
good pointers. Others I have been aware of and have picked up the
slack when my doctor forgets. If only our or I should say my doctors
were this open to admitting they were fallible.
I like several of his opening
statements. Patient – pay attention! “Don't assume anything.
Assumptions can kill.” Does he mean this? Yes, and then he
lists ten potentially harmful assumptions. I can only add – if you
don't read this, then you have a lot to lose and it could be fatal.
I am taking his list and adding my
thoughts as a patient:
Standard care is the right care
That is right; do not assume that you
are receiving the right care. The medical community has attempted to
make this clear in several ways. You should be aware of this
regardless of where you are a patient. I suggest you
read this by
Trisha Torrey about the Choosing Wisely Campaign. Dr. Lamberts uses
several from different specialties, but they are good pointers and
you do need to question your doctor if any of these are suggested.
My doctors communicate
I have found this to be a problem.
Doctors do not communicate as much or as often as they should. Even
though doctors may not like this, I have been forced on numerous
occasions to tell a doctor something that another doctor should have
already told him. One instance was a recent surgery where I made
clear reference to the fact that I was a person with diabetes on
insulin and unless they could guarantee that my IVs were dextrose
free, and then they had better be matching with an insulin input.
Well, you guessed it, no communication. Surgeon felt it was not
necessary until I filed a formal complaint. Then he had reasons for
ignoring me saying I had not informed him of my endocrinologist. I
had also stated that in my complaint that he had ignored the policy
for treating people with diabetes established by the endocrinology
department.
Therefore, I learned two lessons here.
Make sure everything is in writing and that the signature indicates
that they (the doctor and maybe some of the staff) have read and
understood what was stated. I did have to correct my blood glucose
reading of 300 that was recorded by me, as soon I was able to get my
hands on my testing supplies. So much was ignored by the surgeon and
his staff.
My doctor has accurate records
Never fall into this pitfall. Most
medical records are very incomplete! Items that should be part of
your records seldom are. Some of it may be, but even then may not be
as complete or comprehensive as the information should be. Few
patients have doctors that will let them review records for
completeness and not without many delaying tactics and attempts to
remove information they do not want you to see. Doctors are
notorious if not nefarious for their personal notes about the
patient. Often this contains personal observations about you they
would be embarrassed to have you see.
Few, if any, patients keep notes about
their visits to the doctor with updated lists of medications,
surgeries, problems, and family/home situations and bring it with you
on visits to your doctor. However, this is a recommendation that you
should start. Often doctors will have much of this information in
your first visit and will often copy this for you, so don't be afraid
to ask.
If you have a doctor that openly allows
you to look at you own records and makes corrections pointed out by
you, you have a rare doctor and need to cherish this doctor and
cooperate with the doctor. For more information when there is
reluctance to let you review your records, please read
this.
No news is good news
This is one assumption that could kill
you. Doctors do forget, and office staff personnel are not the best
as relaying information back to the doctor. Too many office staff
just assume that the doctor already knows the information and even
though it came in a fax they just received or they opened it from the
mail, they file it in the patient’s record file. Now what good
does this do the doctor and you as the patient waiting to know the
results of the tests. This is why you must pick up the telephone or
the cell phone and call the doctor's office. Explain the purpose of
the call and the test you are waiting to receive the results. Do not
accept the answer that the results are in the mail. This is a ploy
some office staff people have to get rid of calls quickly so they can
get back to the important gossip they were discussing. Over the
years, I have seen and heard this and more. Always make sure that
you get a copy of all lab results, as this is one way to help track
your own health.
I will be notified when things are
due
I would not try to take this to the
bank. Doctors are busy and the doctor’s office staff thinks they
are busy, but they do not have a daily file of when to call patients
or when something is due. Even most offices with computers do not
have this programmed to call a patient the day before to remind them
of their appointment the next day. A few do, but do not use it.
Others have found it and do make use of it. Even in this day of
electronic health records, or electronic medical records, the saying
of garbage in equals garbage out holds true. If it is not entered in
the records, that test you were to have had will not happen, unless
you make yourself a note and remind them that it is due. Do not be
afraid to ask. It is rare to have a doctor’s office that records
things timely and keeps the office operating efficiently. Even then,
mistakes are made.
Hospitals care
Yes, hospital do care – about one
thing and one thing only – the bottom line. If you believe they
care about anything else, then make sure you are not in the obituary
column of today’s paper. By all means, read Dr. Lamberts
discussion on this.
He make it very plain the intent of
hospitals and their profit motives. So if your doctors work for the
hospital like mine do, be very aware of what Dr. Lamberts has to say,
it could save your life. The hospitals like to use unneeded tests
and tests with high profit margins on unknowing patients.
And. if you do not believe Dr. Lamberts
or even me, read
this article about our uncaring and unscrupulous
hospitals and their desire for profits.
More is better
Dr. Lamberts is right on about this.
This is an assumption that can be costly and cause more problems than
it cures. We have all been bombarded with the commercials for
different medications they want you to talk to your doctor about and
get a prescription to take the medicine. If you are a hypochondriac,
then I can understand your instance that you have this condition and
want the medication. But chances are your doctor will not agree with
your assessment and you will be better off and not lighter in the
pocket as a result.
New is better
Oops, I made a mistake and mentioned
this for the last item. Well they can apply in both cases. New is
not always better. Please read what Dr. Lamberts has to say on both
items.
The doctor will think I am stupid
Dr. Lamberts has the right attitude on
this one and I hesitate to say more. But what the heck, with the
exception of a few doctors, most already have this opinion of
patients, so why disappoint them. Just remember when you have this
thought, you might actually teach them something new or give them a
challenge they have no answer for. I enjoy making a doctor squirm
when he wants to prescribe a new medication. I ask what the side
effects are and whether this will be a lifetime medication or a trial
to possibly replace another medication. If it is to replace another
medication, then I let them know if the veterans administration does
not carry it in their formulary, forget it. If I do not recognize
the drug, I make sure I get the name correctly spelled out and say I
will look it up and talk to them the next visit. Needless to say, my
doctors are now onto me and know better than to bait me on this.
They also know if I am complaining
about something, they had better listen, as I do not mince words when
I think a doctor is ignoring me. When a doctor did not believe me,
and would not give me a referral, I got the referral from another
doctor and was right in requesting it. The ear, nose, and throat
doctor made a point of letting him know how bad my inner ear
infection was and how I had gotten there.
Doctors don’t want to be
questioned
I will admit it has been a few years
since I have had a doctor tell me to be quiet and listen. Most
doctors do want questions, but the right questions to let them know
you want to be in compliance with their instructions. Even this is
wrong in my opinion, but it is a game that must be played with some
doctors just to get to the questions you really need to ask. Just be
careful how you ask as not all doctors have the qualities of Dr.
Lamberts. A few doctors are so full of their own importance that
they will not answer your questions. These are doctors to avoid, as
you never know whether they have heard you or not. Their egos are
blocking their view of you and you will be lucky to get out of their
office unscathed.
Do – repeat – do take time to read
Dr. Rob Lamberts and his blog. We need more doctors as straight
forward as he is. He sets the bar pretty high for other doctors to
get over.
