I often have to provide
a shoulder to cry on for my patients. Many of them are
very unhappy with their previous doctors, and since
I am a doctor too, I listen carefully to their tales
of woe, to try to make sure I don't make the same mistakes
with my patients !
Here are some of the things patients hate about doctors.
If you encounter these repeatedly, maybe it's time for
you to look for another ( better ! ) doctor.
1. Endless waits - routinely, for no rhyme or reason.
Many doctors seem to take a perverse pride in making
patients wait. Patients need to be patient, but not
in a doctor's "waiting" room ! This just reflects
poor time management on the part of the doctor.
2. No explanations. Doctors are very used to having
their orders being followed, so they just tell their
patients what to do, without explaining what or why.
3. No discussion of options. Many doctors are still
very authoritarian, and expect blind obedience from
their patients. They refuse to consider alternatives
- or to discuss these.
4. Rude behaviour. Doctors like to project how busy
they are and how valuable their time is, so they are
often rude and inconsiderate. Perversely, their ability
to keep patients "in their place" makes them
feel important !
5. Not explaining the cost. Some doctors think it is
below their dignity to talk about crass matters such
as money - while others use this as an excuse to extract
every last penny they can from their patients. Patients
expect to pay for medical services - they just need
to know how much the cost is, so they can budget for
it !
6. No privacy. Some doctors believe in "multi-tasking"
in order to improve their efficiency and their "patient
through-put " - so they will often talk to two-three
patients at one time. The least patients expect is undivided
attention for a few minutes - but they often fail to
get even this !
7. Not listening. Many doctors feel they "know-it-all"
and do not even bother to listen to the patient's perspective
or feelings. Patients feel cheated when they cannot
unburden themselves.
8. When the chemistry is not right. I just received
a thoughtful email from a patient, who said - "
I drive my current doctor crazy. I question everything
and I just can’t follow orders until I actually
agree to follow them. " Many doctors still prefer
passive patients who agree to do what they are told
to. Unfortunately, what they don't realise is that these
quiet passive patients are often the ones who don't
"follow orders" - they are the ones who are
non-compliant. While it is true that it does take longer
to talk to active, questioning patients, they are the
ones who are much more co-operative and compliant, once
they agree with the treatment plan, because they have
played an active part in its formulation !
Many senior doctors continue with these bad habits
- partly because they can get away with this behaviour,
and partly because they don't know any better. Unless
patients learn to speak up for their rights, matters
will never improve.
I can understand why poor patients put up with such
behaviour. Beggars can't be choosers, and they are so
grateful for any care they receive at government hospitals,
that they don't expect any better. But why do rich patients,
who pay large fees to their doctors in posh hospitals
tolerate such rudeness ? Unless patients learn to get
off their knees, doctors will remain comfortably ensconced
on their pedestals !
Patients are unnecessarily scared of changing doctors.
They feel that their doctor will be "hurt";
or that "he knows my case" and therefore they
should stick to him. Sometimes, a fresh re-assessment
makes a world of a difference !
I often see patients who have received poor quality
medical care. When I ask them why their doctor did a
particular procedure ( which was not necessary), they
look non-plussed - and the standard answer is - "Because
the doctor told me to !" When I enquire why they
didn't check to see if the doctor's advise was correct,
their stock reply is - "But I had faith in my doctor
!"
Yes, it is important to have faith in your doctor -
and to trust him. But you need to be careful in whom
you repose your faith ! If you find a good doctor, your
faith will be amply repaid - but what if you choose
a bad doctor ? Unfortunately, patients are often not
good at differentiating between good and bad doctors
- and blind faith can prove to be expensive ! This is
why it's a good idea to do your homework before going
to your doctor - and also to verify everything he tells
you independently. Doing your "due diligence"
will pay off !
You have a lot at stake when you go through infertility
treatment. It's important for you to choose a doctor
you feel comfortable with, so you have peace of mind
that you did your best, no matter what the final outcome.
If you aren't happy with your present doctor, it's time
to look for alternatives. Everyone is allowed to make
a mistake once - and you may have been unlucky with
your initial selection. However, there's no excuse for
making the same mistake twice ! Learn from your mistakes
and do a better job, rather than suffer in silence,
and then kick yourself later on. Blaming the doctor
for your failure does not help !
Also Read
|
