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.