If you ask a doctor what’s the most challenging part of their job? Out of many other scenarios, they would tell you it’s when a patient comes with a self-diagnosis. We are supposed to trust our doctors to provide us with care and establish a diagnosis. But on the contrary, we go with an established diagnosis and expect them to follow our directions on how to proceed. This is what creates tension in the relationship with your doctor.
Patient’s may disagree with the diagnosis or the treatment plan. Let’s take a look at why it happens and how to deal with it?
A doctor is an expert in making a diagnosis. He will use certain tools, exams, and information to confirm a diagnosis. Besides a physical exam he will take in to account things like:
- Symptoms
- Presenting complaints
- Medical history
- Family history
- Imaging and test reports etc.
Before disclosing anything to you he makes sure he has gathered enough evidence to state his diagnosis. Why would you disagree? Maybe you have a gut feeling about a certain disorder. Many times it happens that you read something about your symptoms on the internet. And you come to the doctor with a diagnosis. It could be risky for your health to disagree with your physician.
Disagreeing about Treatment:
Any treatment that a doctor recommends you are based on standard guidelines, symptoms, and conditions you are experiencing. People may disagree due to the following reasons:
- You have heard about the side effects of medications being prescribed.
- You have seen someone having a bad reaction to the prescribed medicines.
- Some people find the solutions offered as uncomfortable and have compliance issues.
- Fear of surgeries also makes people disagree with treatment plan offered.
- You believe that alternative treatments are better to try before starting medicines.
Disagreement with your doctor regarding treatment can have serious consequences.
So, what should you do in this case? Let’s find a compromise and know how to manage this ordeal.
Managing the Disagreement with your Doctor:
To avoid a conflict with your doctor being upfront and maintaining a good communication is key. Cast your concerns, speak out your mind and ask a lot of questions. Some of these tips might also help:
- Pen down your symptoms and their timing.
- Visit your doctor with an open mind and leave your SELF DIAGNOSIS at home.
- If you have read something on the internet, take a print out and take it along when you go to your doctor.
Check out Self-Medication Or Self-Destruction? Dangers Of Self-Medication You Haven’t Thought About
The Second Opinion:
If you are in a conflict with your doctor going for the second opinion is advisable. You can ask your doctor to recommend you someone for the second opinion. Now you can easily avail the second opinion using Marham.pk. A similar diagnosis and treatment plan offered by another doctor may help you in decision making.
Remember health care services are here to serve the patients and not doctors. Know your rights as a patient.