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Tips for Good Medical Care

© Karen Kanter

Not long ago, I wrote an article for Suite101.com about the mistreatment many fat people get at the doctor's office, and how that can stop them from getting the medical care they need. Then I found this wonderful checklist, from which I urge you to learn. I feel empowered to action, and I hope you do to. Take care of yourselves, and get good health care, you deserve no less.

Questions for prospective doctors

by Terry Lawler Early Big As TEXAS e-mail BigAsTexas@juno.com

(Big As TEXAS is an annual size-positive weekend event, drawing activists from across the United States for workshops, educational opportunities,activism projects, companionship, and parties.)

Here is a list of questions I ask, along with some hints on *how* to ask some of them, and the rational behind asking in the first place. -------------------------------------- 1) Where did you go to medical school?

Always nice to know they went to a recognized school and not Podunk U. Too bad you can't ask them how well they did.

Remember that old joke: What do you call the guy who graduated last in his class from medical school?

Answer: Doctor.

2) Are you willing to refer to _____________ ?

This is important if you have insurance, because you may have a favorite GYN or other doctor who is not part of their HMO family, and they will not refer to that person.

I debated changing internists recently in order to find a doctor who would refer to my GYN (my GYN is covered by my insurance, but is not part of the primary physician's HMO, therefore, insurance won't pay for her). I decided not to give up a good internist or a good GYN (so hard to find both!) and it was easier to simply pay the $175 for an annual at the GYN.

I realize this may not be an option for some people.

3) How do you feel about treating fat patients?

I ask this as non-threateningly as I can. I actually want to give them a chance to say they don't like to treat fat people. If I ask in a confrontive way, they may not tell me the truth and I don't want to get a doctor with secret prejudices.

4) How many other fat patients do you have?

This is important because it tells how they respond to fat people, and it may also give you a frame of reference if it's a surgeon; you don't want to be the Guinea pig for the first laparoscopic surgery this doctor has ever done on a fat person!

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