I would suggest that people should understand that the most successful docs are those with the most survivors. The good docs WANT their patients to do well ---not only because they care about their patients, but also because their practice thrives with more stories of survivors.
Of course they do. There's no doctor bashing here. But major medical decisions should never be made in a vacuum. Medicine is as much Art as it is Science.
Erika, you're an expert on patient advocacy in the cancer world. Are you saying you don't support a second opinion when a patient is told that they need surgery? Or that they have cancer? I saw four breast surgeons when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I chose the surgeon based on their metrics, their approach, as well as their hospital's services.
We tell patients all the time that they should seek a second opinion. But we never tell them how to do it, where to do it, what to look for, what resources are available. That's what this chapter is about. If I am a physician and I am telling a patient that they have a life-threatening illness or that they need a major procedure, I would encourage them to seek a second opinion before proceeding.
This is a general statement about all treating docs. At heart, a medical practice IS a business.....a business that its practitioner wants to be successful. Why wouldn't they do everything possible (including WANT more opinions) to ensure that their patients enjoy success?
There are, of course, no metrics on this ---but the concept makes sense.
This is what I tell patients when they dish about their docs.
This is a cultural approach that we all must support.
The docs are there to help people. They want their patients to do well. They want their practice to be successful.
I would suggest that people should understand that the most successful docs are those with the most survivors. The good docs WANT their patients to do well ---not only because they care about their patients, but also because their practice thrives with more stories of survivors.
This all just makes business sense.
Of course they do. There's no doctor bashing here. But major medical decisions should never be made in a vacuum. Medicine is as much Art as it is Science.
Erika, you're an expert on patient advocacy in the cancer world. Are you saying you don't support a second opinion when a patient is told that they need surgery? Or that they have cancer? I saw four breast surgeons when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I chose the surgeon based on their metrics, their approach, as well as their hospital's services.
We tell patients all the time that they should seek a second opinion. But we never tell them how to do it, where to do it, what to look for, what resources are available. That's what this chapter is about. If I am a physician and I am telling a patient that they have a life-threatening illness or that they need a major procedure, I would encourage them to seek a second opinion before proceeding.
...and YOU would be the doc that I would prefer, refer, and support!
Second and many opinions is what should be encouraged at EVERY step, every disease, every procedure, I believe.
People are NOT going to be able to do that, but more opinions should always be encouraged.
And, Helene --when I find that tool that will ASSIST in finding access to more opinions, I will be the first to use it, promote it to patients.
@Erika I agree! But how do you get those metrics? And I presume you're focused on oncologists? Or is this about primary care?
This is a general statement about all treating docs. At heart, a medical practice IS a business.....a business that its practitioner wants to be successful. Why wouldn't they do everything possible (including WANT more opinions) to ensure that their patients enjoy success?
There are, of course, no metrics on this ---but the concept makes sense.
This is what I tell patients when they dish about their docs.
This is a cultural approach that we all must support.
The docs are there to help people. They want their patients to do well. They want their practice to be successful.
Thanks, Helene. This will of course all become more difficult when Medicaid is gutted.
Unfortunately yes. And especially Medicaid in red states. But the steps will work regardless.
I really appreciate your recommendations. My problem is that it can take months to get an appointment for a second opinion.
I am so sorry that you went through such a painful and scary ordeal.
Thank you. And yes, it can be hard to get appointments no matter where you live. Check out Chapters 5 and 6 for tips on getting seen earlier.
such a helpful and well-researched piece, helene.
and glad the PT worked!
Thanks Vesna! Happy almost 4th of July!