Summary...
Ultimately, we are each responsible for our own health. We can't just go to the doctor and expect him or her to make it all better. It simply doesn't work that way. In a good doctor/patient relationship, the doctor doesn't make decisions for us, the doctor makes decisions with us. For this to work, that relationship has to be a sound one of mutual respect. We don't pay out our hard earned dollars for substandard products or services, and health care services should not be an exception. Even with insurance coverage, we do indeed pay for the services because, in one way or another, we've paid for that insurance. Find a doctor whom you can respect and who will respect you. We deserve nothing less.
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Sources:
1 Robert, Teri. "Living Well With Migraine Disease and Headaches: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You... That You Need To Know." page 95. New York. HarperCollins. 2005.
2 Rothrock, John Farr, Parada, Victoria A., Sims, Cheryl, Key, Kristin, Walters, Naomi S. & Zweifler, Richard M. (2006) "The Impact of Intensive Patient Education on Clinical Outcome in a Clinic-Based Migraine Population." Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain 46 (5), 726-731. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2006.00428.x
Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Online Edition.
Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary, Online Edition.
© Teri Robert, 2007
Last updated October 16, 2007.
