I am trying to lay my foundation of this whole 'becoming a physician' thing.
I know a few qualitites I wish I would have seen throughout my years of doctor seeking.
However, I am interested in what other people would like to see in their physicians.
compassion and an open mind are surely a definite.
Is there anything specific you thought was missing from doctors during your journey of finding the correct diagnosis??
With sincerity, ~The Green One~
-------------------- ...trying to be the coffee bean, not the egg. Posts: 420 | From East Coast | Registered: Jun 2008
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Dekrator48
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18239
posted
I wish they would have had the desire to look for the CAUSE of my illness instead of just giving it a name with "no known cause"....which means "no known hope".
-------------------- The fibromyalgia I've had for 32 years was an undiagnosed Lyme symptom.
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". -Jeremiah 29:11 Posts: 6076 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Nov 2008
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
You said..
"Is there anything specific you thought was missing from doctors during your journey of finding the correct diagnosis?"
1. A brain.
2. A heart.
3. See numbers 1 and 2 above.
The LEAST they could do is take acting lessons if they want to become ducks.
They need to at least make us think they ARE listening, think they DO care and that they aren't just open wallets waiting for their most vital input from us.
posted
My first wish would be that they would search for the cause of symptoms rather than focus on covering up the symptoms with painkillers, etc.
My second wish would be that doctors get down from their high horse and learn to trust that their patients are more aware and in tune with their own bodies than the experts are.
My third wish would be that respect would be given to children especially when they are in pain, to not belittle and discount their symptoms as just being "sad because they broke up with their best friend" or "bipolar" or "depressed" but rather to believe that they too know how they feel and the feelings are real.
Posts: 648 | From northeast | Registered: Feb 2009
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posted
I started exploring why I was so sick around 13-14 years old. I'm now 23 and was just diagnosed last September.
I wish that ANY doctor along the way had really taken me seriously. It's not enough for them to think that young woman = stressed out, dramatic, attention seeking, etc.
Throwing meds at the problem to mask symptoms is also not enough- I always want to know WHY!
And, I wish doctors would have enough humility to say 'I don't know, I have exhausted all possibilities I can imagine.' At least then you'd know to move on and not keep up the false hope that they are still trying to find a solution for you.
Posts: 236 | From Washington | Registered: Jul 2008
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
1. LISTENING and repeating back a summary to patient of what they HEARD!
2. RESPECT; don't bolt for the door in 5 minutes. our appts. need to be 60 minutes plus. i'm happy to pay for it if i'm LISTENED too, treated with respect, NOT TOLD IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD SCENARIO.
3. acknowledge there is a lyme epidemic nationwide and internationally.
4. would love to see them have posted in each reception and patient waiting room....CDC STATISTICS of how many cases reported per year 1980 - now thing!
I would ask that a doctor take the time to listen to and respect his or her patients, to recognize that 15 minutes or less is never enough time to assess a patient, develop an appropriate treatment plan, and educate the patient about that plan.
Remember that treatment is a partnership, between physician and patient. If your patient is an active participant in the treatment process, they are much more likely to get better.
If you end up working with kids, know that parents do NOT give up on their childrens health. They can't, not if they are good parents.
It is ok to not know the answer, patients know that you are human. It is not ok to give up on trying to find the answers, or to cop out with attitude, or the ever popular 'it's all in your head, here's some anti depressants.'
(I personally think that the only people that should dx a psychiatric disorders are persons who are trained to dx them, ie psychiatrists and psychologists. Same with prescribing psych meds.
I make this comment based on over 10 years exp working with persons with severe mental illness. Gp's often are not trained adequately on dx of psych illness, dosing of medications, side effects, and potential toxicity, and without that knowledge, they can do serious harm.)
Never tell a patient that their pain does not warrant medical consideration!! (yes, a doc actually said that to me, about a knee injury that left me limping for months, that ultimately turned into years. I gave up on asking docs about it!)
Posts: 394 | From tinton falls nj | Registered: Jul 2007
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AZURE WISH
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 804
posted
tincup - u forgot
#3. da nerve (an important thing with the poltics of lyme)
my three requirements:
1. willingness to listen and ability to acess what is being said
2. aknowledge they dont have all the answers (instead of saying well i dunno so there is nothing wrong or u are a faker etc)
posted
My LLMD takes insurance and that has made it possible for me to see him.
Also, the curiosity to learn and delve deeply into the truths of our health and how to treat - that one's also there in this doc.
And extraordinary listening capacity, picking up on what we are saying and feeling, not labeling us, not dismissing us - I am very happy with my doc because of these qualities.
I feel like he has restored the meaning of doctor to me. And because he is so good, he's booked up and isn't taking new patients. Sorry, everyone!
But if we could keep finding people like this, well...!
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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