Dr. Rob posts his rules on what patients can do to get along with their medical providers:
One more point: we aren’t that much different from you. We have good days and bad days. My staff cry sometimes when they are mistreated by patients. I get discouraged and emotionally drained. It really helps to hear thanks. I don’t expect it all the time, but when I do get a card or a nice phone call saying I am appreciated, it can really help.
Nice tips that every patient should read. I’d like to highlight two points.
Assuming that “no news is good news” is particularly wrong. I regularly review between 300-400 diagnostic and lab studies per day, and there may be times where a letter gets lost in the mail. Call the office if you don’t hear anything within a few days of the test.
Worrying about hurting your doctor’s feelings is another mistake. I always encourage patients to obtain another opinion if there are questions about their disease management. If they don’t agree with me, I’m more than happy to suggest other providers that may be a better fit.
So tell me how you really feel, I can take it (especially after starting this blog).
