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How To Make The Most Out Of
Your Visit To The Doctor |
 By Dr
Ednin Hamzah
 istorically
there is a special bond between communities and their
physicians. The Hippocratic Oath, the historical doctrine of
medicine has the following pronouncements -
‘to
consider dear to me as my parents who taught me this art,
to live in common with him and if necessary to share my
goods with him;
to look upon his children as my own brothers….
I will prescribe a regimen for the good of my patients
according to my ability and my judgement and never do harm
to anyone…..’.
In effect, doctors are members of our community, much like
us; but they have been trusted with the healthcare needs of
our community. Throughout history, the names of famous
doctors are enshrined in our psyche. Pasteur, Curie,
Fleming, Jenner to name a few. Their legacy made role models
in our society such that medicine remains one of main
ambitions of our aspiring youths. The historical role of the
family doctor was as such, not just to care for the sick but
to give appropriate advice to prevent and support us in all
manner of health and thus life itself.
However in our so-called modern and progressive society,
much has changed. The advent of the World Wide Web and the
advances in medicine coupled with the emotions of greed and
fear as well as the lure of financial wealth has clouded the
issue somewhat. Core values however remain in place. The
purpose of life is to live and to sustain life as well as
possible, to be free from the ravages of illness. In truth -
the search for a healthy lifestyle.
Doctors, through their education are amongst the best
equipped to deliver such care and advice. In many, it
remains a strong vocation to serve and be equipped with
knowledge to prevent, diagnose, treat and support patients
and families, these virtues should be utilised diligently.
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How then do we get the most out
of our doctor?
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Purpose of visit
Why are we making an appointment to see the doctor? Cough,
cold, finding a lump in the breast, health check,
vaccination, want antibiotics, viagra or simply a medical
certificate to avoid work? Are we willing to listen or
simply want complete compliance with our needs?
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When going to
a doctor, it is a good idea to plan the visit.
Try and think of all the issues that we need
clarifying and it is a good idea to write them
down. It may be worth bringing another family
member or a close friend. |
In an emergency, it is a
good idea to call ahead to
the doctor.
Can we talk?
The patient – doctor interview is one of the fundamental
pillars of the patient–doctor relationship and both need to
be open with their needs. As a patient, we should provide as
much information so that the doctor is able to fully assess
the issues that we seek to clarify. If there is a lack of
information, your doctor may come to a different conclusion.
The duty of the doctor is first to listen and then to
provide the best possible doctrine of care for you.
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Some people
like to test the doctor – but this may backfire
on you because not giving information
(withholding information) or under or over
playing your signs and symptoms could result in
the doctor barking up the wrong tree! |
Many patients are often
afraid to ask questions of their doctor but seek
clarifications from a friend. This could have serious
repercussions to your health. If unclear or disagree, voice
it out. There may be other options
Medicine is very often recognition of a symptom-sign
complex. Sometimes, investigations are directed by specific
signs and symptoms and tailored to confirm or evaluate the
suspected diagnosis. You do yourself a great disfavour by
withholding or not giving all the information about your
illness!
Taking the medicine
The advice given by the doctor may in many circumstances
differ from what you may
hear from your friends, colleague or what you read either in
magazines or the internet. However, the advice is given
through many years or study and a licence to practise by the
Malaysian Medical Council. Remember that advice from others
may be only opinion based or linked very much to a business
transaction.
Medical treatment is not only based on blood tests, x-rays,
pills and injections. Often the treatment may simply be
based on advice on healthy living and NOT taking
medications.
Measuring the
outcome
The outcome that we wish to have with our medical visit
depends to an extent on our openness to discuss the issues
that we presented to the doctor. If we did not believe in
the advice given, the outcome is not likely to be
satisfactory. There is little point in visiting a doctor if
we prefer to put greater trust in ‘bomohs and shamens’.
There are two outcomes to be aware of. A doctor’s advice in
treating illness may be seen as recovery from illness but
advice in preventing ill health is more difficult. Your
doctor will certainly try and give the best possible advice
and treatment to you. This is highly individual and will not
apply to anyone else.
Remember that treatment also takes time and we need to be
reasonable and listen well to the explanations. Wanting to
be better yesterday is an impossible exercise but is often
requested by patients!
Finally remember that taking care of our health is a complex
issue. Cancer for example is not simply one disease that can
be diagnosed by blood tests, x rays, scans or simply be
blamed on our parents. It is a complex illness with many
factors contributing to the illness.
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Conclusion – More Food For
Thought
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I hope this short discourse will put you in good stead in
your next visit to your doctor. I will end with the
following as Food For Thought!
Society still puts the main responsibility of healthcare as
the burden of our doctors. Their efforts are multiplied if
we, the patients listen more to unsolicited advice,
commercially led healthcare products or myths and
misconceptions. An ‘Old Wives' Tales’ Clinic is predictably
going to be far more successful as society is often more
fond of such anecdotes. Why?
We are individuals and the same illness can express itself
differently in different people. Therefore, diagnosis and
treatment needs are usually tailored to the individual.
Perhaps, the answer to How to Make The Most Out Of Your
Visit To The Doctor lies deep down within ourselves…..and
may be found in the answers to “Why Is It Easier To Listen
To Anecdotes Rather Than The Advice of Your Doctors?” Are
you ready to face yourself?
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All Rights Reserved
Terms
of Use Last
Updated:
Friday, 22 April 2005 |
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