There’s no way around it: public trust in science and medicine just might be at an all-time low. One of the most prominent reasons for this appears to be a breakdown in effective communication between patients and providers, as well as between citizens and other healthcare officials or leadership. Traditionally, it is first and foremost the responsibility of the provider to try and facilitate helpful discussion that remains patient-centric to the best of their ability. As in any conversation, though, communication should of course always be a two-way street. Providers are imperfect, and the patient also bears responsibility in their communication methods to ensure accuracy and quality of their care. In my experience thus far in clinical care, there are a few things that clearly stick out that patients can do to make sure they are getting their needs properly addressed, in addition to some green and red flags to note with their providers.
The first point may seem obvious: always paint a complete picture for your doctor. When in doubt, say more rather than less. There are so many things that patients would never imagine might be relevant to their chief concerns, yet they end up completely elucidating the situation for the provider.
Multiple examples come to mind of patients I have seen just in the last week or so, where it is only a small comment at the end of an interaction that completely changes the whole picture. A man comes in recovering from community-acquired pneumonia, and only as a brief aside before leaving does he inquire if we could help wash wax out of his ears. I took a look and he had no wax, but rather we eventually concluded he had an untreated sinusitis secondary to the infection, causing the sensation of plugged ears.
A particularly striking and emotionally difficult one recently was a woman experiencing significant gastrointestinal distress over the last year or so, as well as a constellation of other assorted health issues. Several minutes in, she finally breaks down, and discloses that she had been traumatized by an armed robbery and assault a year ago, and that her life and health have never felt the same since. Long story short, we suspected she was experiencing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and many might be shocked to know that one of the greatest risk factors for IBS is an underlying psychiatric condition like anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is certainly possible that she “carried the stress in her gut” as one doctor put it.
While the mind-gut connection is such a fascinating phenomenon and intriguing area of research, it is easy to see why so many would never think the two might be related, or that their problems with each could at all be intertwined. This is why one should always try to disclose as much as they reasonably can in their time with their doctor, since each system tends to be more connected and relevant than we think.
Additionally, though patients can often have no idea such things are related, they actually regularly have a pretty good intuitive sense of what’s going on, at least in a general sense. There is no one better than the patient at noticing specific changes in their lives on a daily basis, fine details that could be important, or possible relationships between things they notice. The patient is the one living their life every day and taking note of every little thing that happens, and when it happens. Their accounts, as well as their judgment, are critical to the resolution of their concerns.
Thus, it is crucial that doctors always remember to ask the patient what they think may be the cause of their chief concern. This is a major green flag in a doctor as it establishes a mentality of collaboration with the patient, and augmenting support for the patient as opposed to physician dominance over the diagnosis and decision-making. A lot of times the patient will just say they don’t know what’s causing it, and that’s fine. But give yourself some credit; you likely at least have some good leads on ideas, and don’t accept a doctor who is entirely dismissive of your thoughts without any consideration or clear explanation.
This more or less brings me to my final point: make sure your doctor sums up, reiterates, or unambiguously addresses the details and concerns you have shared with them. I cannot tell you how many times it happens clinically that a provider’s summary of the situation simply does not match what the patient says. This has also happened to friends, family members, and undoubtedly myself, and it is incredible how far someone can go down the wrong treatment path before it is ever corrected (if it ever is). As you might guess, treating someone for a different condition they don’t actually have can be not only completely unhelpful, but often counterproductive, harmful, or just plain time-consuming. With most medical concerns, time is absolutely of the essence and cannot afford to be wasted, so make sure in every interaction with a provider that the specific nuances of your concerns are reflected in their words.
It is not necessarily a “red flag” if your provider gets details wrong, because people can simply mishear things or inaccurately extrapolate. However, it is a red flag if they fail to ask extensive clarifying questions, or summarize in depth what they hear from you and what their thought process is based on specific things you have said. These few reminders might sound so simple, but as someone who sees how these few little errors of communication manifest clinically on a daily basis, I cannot stress the unfathomable amounts of healthcare dollars down the drain, time and resources squandered, conditions worsened, and lives lost that directly result. Do your best to ensure your case does not fall under these descriptions.
DISCLAIMER:
All content and information provided on or through this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute a professional service of any kind. This includes, but is not limited to, the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services. The use of any information contained on or accessed through this website is at the user’s own risk. The material on this site or accessible through this site is not intended to be a substitute for any form of professional advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional before making any health-related decisions or taking any health-related actions. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they have, and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
Comments