Step 7: Provide your physician with accurate status updates – you work with him – he will work with you.
This may sound quite simple - perhaps even silly? Why would I not tell the truth to my doctor? Well, you would be surprised what information patients withhold from their care-givers. In fact, the FOX Network show, House, is primarily based on the premise that all patients lie and they lie continually!
Why do patients lie? I know in my own case, there is always the temptation to smooth over some points - especially when you as a patient know thatthis issue may lead to lots of compliocations and pain. I know, this should be the very thing that you are telling your ohysician - and this is true. However, human nature being what it is - there is always a tendency to avoid pain and suffering.
Therefore, patients may provide some details without all of it - or sometimes just live with this "problem" for a while and see if it goes away. You may think that this is not lying - but in fact, it is - lying to yourself - first - and then by not providing the information, your withholding of facts constitutes a false image when your doctor asks "how is everything?" or "are there any other problems?'
By not providing all of the accurate information, your provider gets the wrong or perhaps, not as precise, picture of your health. Then all of the care planning is based on that picture. Then, should the problem get bigger, you will lose all types of credibility when you have to backtrack and state that there is another issue that you "forgot" to mention.
This tends to un-do all of the good work you're acheived in the first 6 steps of empowerment. It is a must - disclose all information and then you are your doctor will both see the relationship as a true partnership.
When patients lie, it can interfere with how their doctor treats them. It can lead to higher expenses, such as unnecessary tests or unneeded medications. It can also put patients in danger if a physician doesn't know certain critical information when making a diagnosis or prescribing a medication.
However, doctors should ask a lot of questions and avoid sounding judgmental in order to help patients feel comfortable enough not to lie.
Posted by: Medical Suppliers | August 21, 2008 at 08:08 AM