Being advocates for your own health is one thing, but some patients go overboard:
This is not to say that patients shouldn’t be advocates for their own health, of course they should. They should ask questions, and read all about their diseases, and get second opinions (or third and fourth opinions if they’re not satisfied). But anyone who thinks that pulling rank is going to improve care should conduct the following experiment: The next time you get on an airplane, first go to the air traffic control tower and fire everyone in there, since you know so much; then fire the aircraft mechanics and service the plane yourself; then fire the pilot and fly the plane yourself. And afterwards, if you survive the crash, consider not making those same mistakes when you get sick.
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{ 2 comments }
And then hire a lawyer because no one stopped you from being an idiot.
All of us have these type of patients. I call them “doctor shoppers” because they keep seeking out opinions until they find what they want and unfortunately, it may not be the best choice for them. They are also the most demanding and litiginous patients around, so I am always glad to send them elsewhere.
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