When you find yourself facing recommendations from your doctor that make you feel nervous or uncomfortable, it is your responsibility to do a little background checking before agreeing to any specific treatment. While this may seem to break the trust code with your doctor, the truth is your health is more important than any implied code.
Every doctor has a specific way of treating an ailment. This does not mean, however, that the treatment is current or correct for your situation. All-too-often, doctors find one treatment plan for an illness and stick with it throughout their career. Even though newer and more effective treatments are available, they resort to these “tried and true” treatment plans.
Investigating Your Doctor And Your Treatment Plan
• Research Your Doctor Socially – Perform an Internet search on your doctor and see what is being said by other patients. Keep in mind, however, that some people may post negative stuff about your doctor because they are never satisfied with the services provided by any individual.
• Research Your Doctor Professionally – All too often people go into a treatment situation thinking their care professionals are infallible. That’s not the case. Physicians, nurses and other care givers are human, and make mistakes. And mistakes in diagnoses, surgical procedures, or prescribed medications can have dire consequences.
One Maryland personal injury attorney firm offers that patients “should be able to trust their physicians, nurses, and other medical caregivers to provide a professionally acceptable standard of care and to work diligently to avoid preventable medical error.” Before wholly trusting any physician, you should do a database search to see if your doctor has ever been cited for malpractice. Many states have a registry for this as part of their state-provided services. You can also check with the Attorney General’s office in your area to find out if there are cases currently active against your doctor.
• Research Your Treatment Plan – Look into the treatment plan recommended by your doctor and see what the success rate is associated with this plan. Look for other optional treatments that may be available. Compare success rates and determine if what your doctor recommended is in your best interest.
• Get A Second Opinion – If what your doctor has suggested just does not seem right to you, make an appointment with another doctor for a second opinion. It is your responsibility to make sure that you receive the best medical care.
You are not obligated to proceed with a treatment plan that you feel uncomfortable with or believe that is not in your best interest. Many people wrongly believe that since their doctor tells them one treatment plan is available that it is the only treatment plan available.
People do not hesitate to research a home repair company when they need to complete a major repair. They will get estimates and building plans from several contractors to make sure that they receive the best service. The same technique is often used for car mechanics and insurance products. It is careless to not apply this type of research to your health and your medical advice.
If your doctor is offended by your efforts, this is another sign that you should seek medical care in another place. Doctors should have the understanding that a second opinion or optional treatment plans are in the best interest of their patients. Any doctor that feels threatened by this type of action should be avoided.
When all is said and done, your doctor works for you. You have the right to expect top-notch professional service from your health care team. Do your due diligence, and pick the right physician for your situation. The peace of mind you’ll receive is well worth the price of a little research.
Freelance writer Richard Freeland brings you these tips for checking up on your doctor. The Maryland personal injury attorney Price Benowitz, LLP, online at http://medicalmalpractice.maryland-injury-lawyer.com, works to protect their clients from doctors’ mistakes, and gives critical advice about what to do if they should become a victim of medical malpractice.