Complaints about Doctors

It's been a couple of days since my first article was published and I've been interested to see some themes in the stories people tell me.

One of the biggest ones is complaints about how patients are treated by their doctors. These patients feel as if the doctor is condescending, or irritated by questions, or just downright rude.

There's no excuse for that! And patients -- you don't have to take it either. If you don't like the way the doctor is behaving toward you, tell him or her. Stand up for yourself. And ultimately, if the situation doesn't improve -- vote with your feet by finding another doctor.

There is no question there exists a stereotype of Doctor as God. The majority of doctors, I'm sure, don't expect us to think of them that way. But historically, we have tended to put doctors on some sort of pedestal as if they deserved some kind of idolization.

Fuggedaboutit. Doctors are people, too, with the foibles and fallacies that make us all human. Treat them with respect -- but command their respect in return. If you don't get it? Then walk. Find yourself a doctor who will treat you with the respect you deserve.

Overwhelmed

I had no idea. NO idea.

My new column appeared in the Post Standard this morning, and I can't tell you how gratified I am that it's touching so many readers! I've received email from some folks sharing their tales with me -- misdiagnosis -- research -- advocating for themselves. I've gotten phone calls from supporters. And the hits to my website -- wow!

I thank you all. I am thrilled. I am humbled. And I hope that I can prove worthy of your attention.

Here's a link to the article. There's not much there but an intro! But an intro it is -- and next time? Some real advice for you!

Every Patient's Advocate

Misdiagnosis -- I'm amazed daily

It's only 12 noon, and I've had 4 phone conversations this morning -- and every single person tells me they know of someone (besides me) who has been misdiagnosed. And two of them were misdiagnosed themselves.

In research for my book, I learned that even the US government has statistics: between 44,000 and 100,000 Americans DIE (yes, as in -- DEAD) every YEAR -- from a misdiagnosis or medical error. (And that's just in the US!) I was soooo close to being a statistic.

And HealthGrades.com -- which rates doctors -- proposes an even higher number -- they say 250,000 Americans suffer from misdiagnoses and medical errors each year. That's not the same as DEAD -- but no doubt some feel as if they might have been.

Hopefully DiagKNOWsis and Every Patients Advocate will help cut those numbers. We need to watch out for ourselves!

Watch the Post Standard!

It's official. As of Tuesday, February 7, 2006, I'll begin sharing my thoughts and ideas with people who want to become smart patients. Called "Every Patient's Advocate", the columns will appear every other week.

Amber Smith, the editor of the Health and Fitness section of the paper has been a huge help. Her efforts are so much appreciated! Learn more in Amber's blog: http://www.syracuse.com/healthfit/weblog/

Once the column appears online, I'll link to it from here, too.