Dooley Noted: 2/12/2016
There’s nothing quite like a surgeon scaring the daylights out of a family member to remind you of your crusade.
Uninformed patients are being bullied.
They’re being told they will never improve if they don’t get surgery.
Doctors are pulling out their crystal balls, projecting outcomes and setting days one has to live.
As the God Complex rages, patients are letting their power be stolen with every white coat that is waving a finger.
Patients aren’t being informed of their many options.
They’re being bossed around, told the only option is the service that their doctor provides.
Look. Let’s level with each other.
I wish I could tell you with absolute certainty that things will resolve on their own.
They don’t always.
I wish I could also tell you that surgical outcomes are solid.
They’re not always.
And I wish I would tell you that all doctors have your best interests at heart.
They don’t always.
My patients tell me daily how lucky they feel that they found me – a true patient advocate.
It should make me happy.
It doesn’t.
It makes me angry.
Patient advocacy and education should be the standard – not a lucky find.
Every week, I have to help my patients understand they aren’t victims, subject to predicted outcomes.
So, my passion fuels me to teach across this world, helping as many people as I can reach to understand they are in charge of their health.
You’re the only one that makes the decision.
Do your homework.
Learn your options.
If you are given only one – then it’s a sales technique.
Be on guard.
Take responsibility to better understand.
This does not mean you should get an honorary doctorate from WebMD.
But this does mean you should research the procedures you may be undertaking.
And you should look for patient testimonials who have been through what you are enduring.
Learn. Grow. And pony up.
It sounds harsh. Maybe that’s true.
But I’ve watched too many broken promises from poor surgical outcomes.
I’ve watched as patients were given no other options.
And I’ve watched as all is said and done, they are left with the same pain and discomfort with which they started – only no new answers and lots of bills.
Seek out patient advocates to help you.
And remember – you are the primary patient advocate for yourself.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley
