Major Misdiagnosis

Be a Bad Patient

By Vicki Salemi

When it comes to getting diagnosed by your doctor, being told a specific procedure or treatment needs to be done or being prescribed a specific medication, let's face it: The doctor may not always be correct. Sometimes being a "bad" patient could be the best ammunition needed to forge ahead. Fire your doctor; get several opinions; don't take no for an answer; become relentlessly persistent in finding out the facts. In essence, becoming your own advocate as a patient and being "bad" is downright good.


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Question Things

When it comes to your health, experts say to treat it like managing other aspects of your life says Evan Handler, cancer survivor, Sex and the City star and author of "It's Only Temporary: The Good News and the Bad News of Being Alive." Treat it with care and attention as if you're managing finances or taking care of an automobile. "Most people wouldn't hesitate to decline a restaurant server's suggestions, yet they'd be reluctant to question a doctor's instructions, even if the doctor's conclusions seem illogical. Unfortunately, there's no guarantee that your doctor is better at his or her job than your waiter and waitress are at theirs."


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Do Your Homework

One way to bolster your involvement is to conduct research online or at the library and arrive at the doctor's office prepared with a list of questions. Check that -- endless research and lots of questions. Handler says, "Look up the drugs you're prescribed on sites like Rxlist.com, and read about them before you take them. I've been prescribed medications that I shouldn't have been taking many times. In fact, look everything up. It's almost impossible to know whether you're getting proper treatment or whether you're even getting properly investigated unless you learn a bit yourself. Do you know what an MRI and a CT scan are, that they can sometimes stand in for each other, but that one has much more potential to harm you? If you have one or the other test recommended, you should."


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Get a Second Opinion

Or two. Or more. Dr. Michael Ozner, cardiologist and author of "The Great American Heart Hoax: Lifesaving Advice Your Doctor Should Tell You About Heart Disease Prevention (But Probably Never Will!)," emphasizes that patients should get second opinions and keep the medical industry in mind during the process. "We are not compensated to keep people healthy; we're paid on the number of procedures we do, so if you've asked questions and still don't understand or are still not convinced, by all means go see another physician or two or three. Most doctors comfortable with their recommendation won't have any issues when you ask questions."


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Take Ownership

Become engaged in your own treatments; the results could be worse if you simply rely on instructions without hesitation. "It's often easier, emotionally, to believe that there is someone whose expertise is adequate, superior to your own instincts, and who will take good care of you and protect you from harm. Buck up, be strong, and take responsibility for your own well being and your own self-protection," explains Handler.


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Make Things Happen

To be an engaged participant in your health care, as a patient you should continue to make things better even when told that something can't be done. Handler explains from his own experience, "People say things can't be done all the time, and then they come to be. If you want to maximize your potential to do well, you need to muster the bravery to be a pioneer and to be the one insisting, cajoling, and convincing everyone around you that things can, indeed, improve. And if they still say 'no,' well...then you need to simply walk around them (or over them) and make it happen yourself."


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Watch Out for Numero Uno

Keep in mind the role of physicians. After all, they're human beings with personal responsibilities and yes, they're business people too. "Your well-being might be very important to them, yet still not be their primary concern. One thing is for sure: Your well-being isn't as important to them as it is to you, so you're the one who needs to make sure they're doing a good job," Handler adds.


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Fire Your Doctor

Loren Gelberg-Goff, LCSW in private practice in River Edge, N.J., suggests viewing yourself as the big boss in charge. See yourself as an employer and your health-care providers as your employees. If your doctor isn't giving you proper care or advice, it's perfectly fine to shop around for a new one who will. "Labels make a difference, so if you think of yourself with a more empowered title, you have a greater chance to feel and act assertively and empowered. Since most people become passive and submissive when they become patients, they give up their power and are made to feel bad or wrong when they question their health-care providers."


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Bring an Advocate

"If you have trouble speaking up for yourself, bring an advocate," advises Gelberg-Goff. "This can be a family member, friend or professional who will ask the tough questions and make sure your greater good is the top priority." Whether it's one person or a whole team, it's helpful not only for moral support but to have another voice be heard as well. Handler adds, "It's extremely important to have someone present as much as possible to watch out for your particular needs and interests. They can also often take the brunt of the blame for being demanding, or 'difficult,' so the patient won't be blamed by the staff."


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Create a Sunny Outlook

Catherine M. Pittman, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and psychology professor at Saint Mary's College, says when patients speak up and become their own advocates, it is extremely beneficial for their mental health too. "We tend to feel more anxious when we're not in control. The more sense of control we have can influence the outcome." Overall, a lack of control is related to anxiety and depression, so being immersed in your treatment and recovery will help create a more positive outlook than if you weren't involved.


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