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I’ve got some bad news, folks – or good news, depending on your doctor’s mood. A 2010 study presented at the 14th Annual Conference of the Israel National Institute for Health Policy found that the quality of care a physician provided on any given day was significantly influenced by his or her mood at the time s/he saw the patient.
We’re not just talking about a short fuse or a gruff comment, either. A survey of 118 primary care physicians found that stressed, tired or anxious doctors were more likely to talk less to patients, prescribe more medications, send them for more diagnostic tests, and refer them to a specialist. Not surprisingly, the more burned-out the physician already was, the more vulnerable s/he was to letting his or her emotions dictate treatment decisions.
You May Not Be a Physician, but You Know Your Body
I hope your memories of childhood visits to your pediatrician evoke Santa-Claus-like images and warm-and-fuzzy feelings. However, some of us grew up in an era where interpersonal skills weren’t a residency requirement and questioning our doctor’s opinion bordered on insubordination. If so, it may be time to change your relationship with your doctor.
Approach your next doctor’s visit as a job interview rather than a confession to your priest. Be prepared. Before you get in the car to drive to your appointment, take your temperature. Write down a short list of symptoms you would like to discuss, including details about when they started, how severe they are, and how long they last. Bring a list of the names and dosages of any prescriptions, over-the-counter medications or supplements you are taking. Also write down any questions you have; for example, if you’re concerned that your bronchitis has turned into pneumonia, write that down as well as the reasons for your question.
Three Magic Words: I Don’t Understand
According to The New England Journal of Medicine, half of patients admit to not understanding what their doctor told them during an office visit. Given the limited amount of time doctors can spend with their patients these days, and given those doctors uses terms that are second nature to them but may not always translate well to us lay folks, it is critical that we not leave that office until we know what our doctor is saying.
This means asking questions and taking notes. What diagnosis is your doctor giving you? Based on what criteria? What is the treatment? Are there alternatives? Why is the doctor prescribing this particular medication? What side effects should you expect? When should you start to feel better and what should you do if you don’t?
Never worry about asking for clarification about something your doctor says. If you’re not sure you understand, repeat back what your doctor has told you and ask if you've got it right. (You can also ask if he or she recommends any specific reading materials about your condition).
The Bottom Line
It’s scary to think our physical health could be in the hands of a doctor in a bad mood. Doctors, though, are just as human as the rest of us; how they feel influences how they see things and what they decide to do. We can help them, and protect ourselves, by shifting our role from passive patient to active partner - educating our doctor about our bodies, asking questions when we need to and, when all else fails, getting a second opinion.
