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- Verified Buyer
First off, as a doctor, I highly support the patient/doctor working relationship. Patients must take a more proactive stance in their care. Please, do not leave everything up to your doctor. Remember, we are human too, and as such, we can not possibly remember all we study, read or research, nor can we possibly give you the one on one individual care you expect from us. We try, but we are limited as humans, by time restrictions, politics, and insurance criteria.The author here can be at times looked upon as extreme, but he does what is necessary to get the care he feels and deserves he needs and I have no problem with that. Speaking up and asking questions, demanding more than what is obvious can, as it did for him, make the difference as to whether you may live or die. No matter how good a physician may be, or as caring, sometimes the outcome can be affected by the patient.Do you remember to tell your doctor all the medications you are taking: Vitamin and herbal supplements, as well as over the counter drugs? Do you ask meaningful questions at each visit? Do you ask for clarification if you don't understand something your doctor told you? Is that radiocative CT scan really necessary? Is there a safer test we can do instead of that? What would happen if we just wait and see? What would happen if I don't have that surgery? What are the benefits and risks to this medication or procedure? Remember, as hard as it is for you to believe, it is also for me to admit, but some of my colleagues are in the field of medicine strictly for the money.I never consider patients that ask and study about their health problems a patient from hell. Please, just don't make your own diagnosis. That is what I am here for: to help you, comfort you, and guide you and ensure you stay as healthy as possible. My job is simply to advise you. In the end, any decision is up to you.For me, the patient from hell is the know it all, argumentative over every little thing, doesn't want to cooperate, doesn't follow healthful advice, continues to live as if they're invincible and never ever asks a question or clarification about anything, then complains about everything. The Patient from Hell is the complacent patient.Stephen Schneider, I feel does a terrific job of examining his battle with cancer and illustrates the need for proactive care and how he and his doctors worked together to achieve the same goal: to see him win his battle. Could his outcome have been different had he limited himself to what was offered? Most likely. This is one book I keep on my shelf and advise every patient and family member to read. If you don't know, ask. If you're not sure, ask. If you don't understand, ask. Keep asking until you get a response you are happy with and then to make sure, ask again. If you're doctor won't answer or won't work with you, move on. You are your best advocate. No one knows your body better than you do.
