How to Survive a Visit to Your Doctor

Be assertive. Trust what your intuition is telling you. Ask plenty of questions and, based on your reading, and the experience of others, ask yourself if what you're hearing makes sense to you. Don't lose sight of the fact that doctors, clinicians, pharmacists and hospitals are ultimately businesses whose livelihood depends on selling services. This is where a healthy dose of skeptism kicks in. Don't be afraid to be skeptical.

I often think of buying medical services in the light of buying a car. If you were as poorly informed about cars as you are about medicine, you would walk onto a car lot and tell the salesperson that you want a car. Naturally, s/he would lead right to the deluxe model; the one with all the luxury options. You, knowing nothing about the process would agree that this car, indeed, is the one you need. It is the nature of salespeople to sell you the most expensive items that they have to offer. Could it not be the same with doctors? Until you say to the car salesperson that you want a more economical model or perhaps a second choice, s/he will continue to upsell you. Why not ask your doctor for alternatives? Shop around. Get other opinions.

My most important 'B' is: Be proactive. Don't take your good health for granted. Do things to preserve and maintain it. Again read and study. Without your health, most of your other possessions are poor substitutes for life. Don't simply wait until you have a diagnosis and then grab at straws. Usually by then, it's too late to do anything proactive. After you get a diagnosis, you're at the mercy of the medical system, and anything you attempt after that is simply reactive.

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