Patients Can Now Access The Latest Medical Information.
When Their Lives Are At Stake, They’re Going To Do The Research and Discuss The Results With Their Doctors.
In the final analysis, doctors want to help their patients. And, as patients become more and more informed, doctors and patients will become accustomed to having educated, thoughtful, patient-doctor discussions on the medical literature and what the best treatment options might be.
This doesn’t mean however that there will be never be a conflict between what the patient wants and what the doctor is recommending.
For example, there might be a new surgical procedure which is being used in the treatment of certain cancers. There may be recent published studies suggesting that the new procedure might result in fewer side effects or a quicker recovery time while having the same cure rate.
But, it’s possible that this procedure is only being done by a few surgeons in your area as it’s new and takes some specialized training.
You might discuss this with your doctor who admits that he or she does not perform the new procedure. These patient-doctor discussions are very important.
At that point, you may have to make a decision about whether or not investigating the new procedure is really worthwhile.
The most common sense approach to this dilemma would be to consult with a physician specializing in the new procedure as well.
Imagine That You’re An Investigative Detective
Ask straightforward but tough questions to all your doctors including questions about their results, their experience level, side effects of any proposed treatments, and the published data.
You may want to ask if you may speak to other patients that have already undergone treatment by these doctors. If you are able to do this, ask these patients how they decided on a particular treatment or even a particular doctor. Ask them how they’re doing.
Continue investigating until you feel you have all the information you need to make your decision. Never waver in the thoroughness of your patient-doctor discussions.
Many pieces of information may come up in your research. For example, there might be certain technological advances being used in certain centers which help in the accurate staging and planning of treatment. Maybe the center that you’re being treated at doesn’t offer these services and your research has led you to believe that there is benefit to them.
Again, you may have to make a decision about where you want to be treated.
Or, your doctor may recommend a treatment regimen to you and not mention that there are clinical trials which may be available. Or, he or she might recommend a certain clinical trial without mentioning that there are other clinical trials taking place at other medical centers.
As you go through this book and then do your own research, you need to be very aware that the cutting-edge treatments may not be offered everywhere.
Frank discussions with your doctors may be unavoidable. But, it’s very important for you to remember that you’re dealing with a serious illness and the most important thing is that you get the best possible care.
Don’t Allow Your Fear Of Creating Conflict With Your Doctor Stop You From Aggressively Pursuing The Best Possible Care.
After reading this book you’ll be able to research on your own all the cutting-edge options and talk to other informed patients.
The conversations you’ll have with your doctors ultimately become quite different. Being aware of all the options allows you, if you choose, to take more responsibility for the decisions that have to be made.
Ultimately, in today’s rapidly changing universe, patients are taking on more of the responsibility for making treatment decisions.
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