We'll start this week with a cartoon:
Sounds ridiculous doesn't it? Imagine going to the auto-mechanic because your car has an unusually low level of oil in it. Your mechanic says: "Looks like you have a condition that we call Hypo-Oil-ism. (mechanic terms for not enough oil in your car) So I am going to write you a prescription for 1 quart of oil every two days. It's your job to monitor the oil in your car and if you find that this amount is not enough, we'll have you come back for a prescription of 1 quart of oil per day."
Now, does this sound like an auto-mechanic that you would trust to take care of your car? It definitely doesn't to me! Obviously, no auto-mechanic would say this, because they'd first figure out WHY the car doesn't have enough oil in it. Then they'll fix the problem, fill it with oil and send you on your way as a happy & satisfied customer.
Auto-mechanics conduct business this way because that's what is expected of them from their customers. So, why is it that most of us don't hold our doctors to the same standards? The job of a doctor should be the same as the auto-mechanic:
1. Figure out what the problem is
2. Figure out WHY that problem is happening
3. Treat the problem
4. Educate the patient/customer so that the problem can be prevented in the future.
Most doctors only complete steps 1 and 3 and send you on your way. So my challenge this week is for you to challenge you doctors to complete the other 50% of their job in steps 2 and 4. You should demand that from them, because you deserve the very best!
Yours in Health,
Dr. Jeff
Any medical information provided in Doctor Jeff's Blog is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her health professional. Any information provided is not meant to diagnose, treat or manage any specific disease/condition.Doctor Jeff's Blog respects the confidentiality of individual patients and site visitors. All clinical anecdotes are compliant with HIPAA regulations.
No comments:
Post a Comment