Here’s an uncomfortable truth that every family should be aware of:
You shouldn’t assume your doctor is providing you with optimal medical advice.
By optimal, I mean advice that is:
- Grounded in the most recent medical knowledge.
- Adapted to your preferences and values.
- Made after helping you consider the various options, along with their risks and benefits.
Doctors are generally trying their best. But it’s hard for a single person to keep up with all the latest knowledge, plus doctors tend to get into practice habits that aren’t necessarily in your best interest.
Are You Regularly Informed of Non-Drug Treatment Options?
Case in point: Although guidelines suggest that mild-to-moderate depression can initially be treated by either psychotherapy or by medication — because they are generally equally effective — many seniors are not informed of this. Instead, the tendency is usually for doctors to dash off a prescription.
Fortunately, it is possible to work around this problem in healthcare, so that you can get healthcare that better fits your older relative’s needs.
To help people recognize and address this common issue, I’ve written an article for NextAvenue.org:
“How to Get the Best Care from Your Doctor“
4 Steps You Can Take to Get Better Health Care
In this NextAvenue article, I explain in detail what an optimal medical recommendation should look like.
Then I share four steps you can take, to get better care from your doctors:
- Choose your doctors carefully.
- Do your homework, when it comes to health conditions and treatment options.
- Ask about alternatives.
- Consider a second opinion.
To get the tips in detail, read the full story at NextAvenue.org.
Remember: the more you learn about how healthcare works, the better you’ll be at getting what you need from the medical system.
By learning to get the right healthcare, and avoid the wrong healthcare, you’ll help your older loved one have better health, wellbeing, and quality of life.
Pam Lassila says
I like these four tips to help you get better care. I agree that you really should choose your doctors carefully. You have every right to not go with someone who you don’t feel comfortable with. I also think it’s a good idea to ask around for second opinions.
Annika Larson says
I have always been a little nervous to go to the doctor, but I want to make sure I am getting the best care possible. Currently, I am looking for a doctor, and as you said, it’s important to choose your doctor carefully. Making sure you yourself are informed on treatment options, as you explained, is a great way to make sure you and your doctor are working together to achieve optimal health. Thanks for sharing!
Elisa Fritz says
Great article. I really appreciate the insight here in this post and confident it’s going to be helpful to me and many others. Thanks for sharing all the information and useful tips.
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
You’re very welcome, glad you find this helpful.
jresquival says
That’s a good tip to do your homework about health conditions. That way you go to your doctor and ask informed decisions. I’ve been having weird aches in my arms so maybe I should find a doctor to visit.
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
Generally I think it’s not very useful to try to extensively research a symptom ahead of time; there are just too many possible things it could be.
If you are having a pain or strange feeling in your arms then yes, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. Once he or she has made a diagnosis, you can consider learning more about how that condition gets diagnosed and can be managed. Good luck.
Xavier Salas says
I think it is best to go into the doctor’s office with the mindset that they are going to do everything for you. I was unaware that deciding on a specific doctor was such a big deal; however, it makes sense that you want someone you trust to help you. Asking for a second opinion is also incredibly smart — I did not think about that one! Thanks again for all the advice!
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
Generally the doctor cannot “do everything” for you because time is limited.
Danni Black says
I really like your tip about choosing your doctors carefully! My husband and I recently moved to a new town so we are looking for a new place to take our kids. We will have to keep these tips in mind while we are searching. Hopefully, we will be able to find a great place that will help with our family’s health.
Maggie Allen says
I really like your first point on making sure that you choose doctors carefully from the start. In my opinion, that is the best way to ensure that you’re taken care of, no matter what. Plus, there are a lot of things you can do to ensure that. For starters, you could probably ask your potential doctor some questions and see how they respond.
Drew says
Being informed of non-drug treatments is a big one because if they are only trying to squeeze money from you then they may not care much about your health. Thanks for sharing.
Caleb Hart says
I really want to get some help from a doctor. The problem is, I don’t have a doctor right now. I just moved to a new area, and I really want to find some sort of professional to help me get better. Maybe I should start making some phone calls.
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
Yes, call around and see who is in your area. You can try to get recommendations from people too. Good luck!
Daniel says
The last time I had my medical check up was Nov 2018 and it was normal with my age 63 do I need a maintenance
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
In general, research has not found that an “annual physical” or other annual medical visit improves outcomes, for people who have no symptoms and are otherwise up to date on their preventive medical care.
That said, you might consider contacting your health provider and asking if they think a follow-up visit is indicated, and if they say yes, ask for what reason. You may have heard your checkup was “normal” however your medical provider may have noted some issues that would benefit from a check-in, a year later. Good luck!
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