7 Things Doctors May Not Tell You

When I got sick in 2018 and 2020, I learned a lot of lessons about doctors. I learned doctors are human.  When dealing with other human beings' things can get complicated. 

Most of what occurred between me, and my doctors were positive. However, there are some experiences I wish did not happen. This post is about the lessons I learned during my ordeal. 

Through those experiences, I learned about doctors and how they can make mistakes. I also learned how to advocate for myself, so those mistakes are less likely to happen. 

This post serves as a guide to help you to ask your doctor or other professionals questions. These questions can help you understand your medical experience and to receive the best care possible. 

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical professional. If you need medical help consult your physician. This post is only a guide to help you ask your doctor questions. 

1. Doctors can have biases 

 Studies show people may not receive the best treatment from their doctors because of bias. The Havard Review women are likely to suffer from pain and not receive a proper diagnosis.

People of color also experience implicit biases when going to the doctor. Tiffany Green l et al. found physicians and non-physicians were more likely to have explicit and implicit biases toward Black and Muslim people. Their biases were higher than the general population. 

 I experienced and heard countless stories of people not being treated while in their doctor's care. That is why you need to ask questions. Get a second opinion if a doctor does not listen to your pain. 

Find a doctor who will listen. A doctor that knows how to treat every individual with respect. But not all doctors will appreciate your questions.

2. Doctors can have egos

Questioning doctors may hurt their egos. I know a person whose doctor referred her to a specialist for her condition. Soon after going to her appointments, medical professionals warned her not to ask for her new specialist for a second opinion. Whenever patients ask for a second opinion, the specialist asks them to find another doctor. She then sent a letter informing her patients to get their medical records from her office and send them to their new doctor in 30 days. 

Other professionals asked her if her doctor treated her well. These were red flags that the doctor had an ego problem and did not want patients to question their treatment.

My friend questioned the treatment she was receiving. Her specialist fussed at her and told her she needed to see another doctor. In the next few days, the specialist sent a letter telling her records from the office within 30 days. She received the same treatment as many other patients before her. 

After my friend left her former doctor, she found a new specialist. Her new specialist discovered she received a misdiagnosis. Her former specialist made a mistake and gave her the wrong treatment for her condition. If she did not ask questions about her treatment, she would not have found out about her condition.

Regardless of your doctor's behavior, speak up for yourself. It is your body, and you can advocate for your health. 

3. There are other ways to treat your pain

Most doctors give patients with chronic pain, painkillers. This may be detrimental to the patient if they overuse painkillers. Discuss with your doctor any alternative treatments you can use instead of shots or painkillers.

4. You can get help or a discount for your medication 

Doctors sometimes do not tell you about programs that can help you pay for your prescriptions. Pharmaceutical companies can offer discounts for those whose income is low or meets the guidelines. Most companies have the forms and any information you may need online. You can get your doctor to fill out a form for you. They may have to verify your information. Also, ask your doctor for generic prescriptions. Using generic prescriptions will save you money and have the same potency as well-known brands. 

5. You can get help with your medical bills 

Hospitals have charity programs where you can apply to receive help with your medical bills. Those who have unpaid hospital bills can call your hospital billing office and ask if they have a charity program. They may ask you a few questions about how much is your household income to see if you are eligible. If you are eligible, you can ask them to mail the form to you. 

6. Doctors don't always look at your test results. 

Recently, a family member was struggling to get their test results. He called more than once to get the results. They kept telling him they would call him with the results. It was over two months. He had to keep calling until someone told him to come in and get the results. 

He discovered the doctor did not read it. He did not have time to do it. He was busy with all of his patients in various locations. 

To combat this issue, you have to be persistent. Keep calling until you get an answer. Also, check to see if your results are online. 

 

7. Your Doctor Does not know everything 

Believe it or not, your doctor does not know everything. All tests do not reveal what causes a patient’s symptoms. Therefore, misdiagnosis may occur. Doctors will consult other physicians or refer you to a specialist. For example, your general practitioner may not know about nutrition. But they can refer you to a nutritionist to help you make lifestyle changes. Ask them for a referral to a specialist. 

Conclusion: 

This post is not to bash doctors but to help you interact with your doctors better. I hope you use the information to ask your doctor questions about your treatment and care. 

Please, Pin! 

Source: 

Implicit and explicit racial prejudice among medical professionals: updated estimates from a population-based study Tiffany L. Green

Hoa Vu

Laura E.T. Swan

Dian Luo

Ellen Hickman

Marie Plaisime

Nao Hagiwara

Implicit and explicit racial prejudice among medical professionals: updated estimates from a population-based study - The Lancet Regional Health – Americas