Hi Susan - Unfortunately there are many patients who've experienced the scenarios you describe and have had a difficult situation made far worse. Patients today need to learn to find their own avenues for the emotional, lifestyle, financial and other ramifications of a serious illness. The all-knowing, all-caring compassionate doctor made up by Hollywood has always been a myth. The more we understand the realities of the healthcare environment we're in, our own role in that environment and have realistic expectations, the better our experiences will be.
While I appreciate what you're saying, I also have to say there are physicians who do treat the patient as a whole person and provide a different level of care. It may take interviewing several physicians, and even firing physicians, to get to the right one. I've done it several times. It's not the easy route, but it is a much better way to get both the right healthcare treatment and the right provider.
Take good care, Pat
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Hi Susan - Unfortunately there are many patients who've experienced the scenarios you describe and have had a difficult situation made far worse. Patients today need to learn to find their own avenues for the emotional, lifestyle, financial and other ramifications of a serious illness. The all-knowing, all-caring compassionate doctor made up by Hollywood has always been a myth. The more we understand the realities of the healthcare environment we're in, our own role in that environment and have realistic expectations, the better our experiences will be.
While I appreciate what you're saying, I also have to say there are physicians who do treat the patient as a whole person and provide a different level of care. It may take interviewing several physicians, and even firing physicians, to get to the right one. I've done it several times. It's not the easy route, but it is a much better way to get both the right healthcare treatment and the right provider.
January 1, 2010 - 6:26pmTake good care, Pat
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