In my experience, this cuts both ways. The respect and trust I have in my oncologist, who had treated me for blood disorders during my pregnancies, several years before my breast cancer, allows us to have an ongoing dialogue about my continuing treatment. He has always welcomed my journalistic approach of asking a lot of questions about research I have read, or new drugs or treatments.
His openness to my questions is a sign that he is secure--and it is a standard I use with my other doctors, who don't always welcome my questions, or, I should admit, my propensity to self-diagnosis, without the benefit of any medical training. Even if I sometimes take it to extremes, as Groopman says, working with your doctors is part of your job as a medical consumer. And follow your instincts. If you have a doctor who you don't like, get out of there.
For more on Dr. Atul Gawande, please visit our special section:
Dr. Atul Gawande -- What Better Means for Patients, Families and Caregivers
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What the community is saying...
MY ARM HURTS!!!: note to self....
Posted 11/20 Comments (2)
Dear Friends that will have LUMPECTOMY...
