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sealieFirstly, doctors and nurses are human beings trying to do their best but they are not robots, thus it is important for you to recognise that a) they make mistakes and b) they don’t know everything.
Also consider that their budget is not limitless (no person's budget is limitless) – they make executive decisions and consider costs verse benefits.
In my experience, doctors work more proactively if the patient has an informed and focussed support network.
With this in mind…
ONE: research. The internet -- e.g. web pages, blogs -- is a good starting point. If you are lucky there might be a support group which will have factual help pages.
TWO: write research notes down. The salient points or the details – the facts that get your attention. You’re invested in getting your loved one the best possible care, your focus picks up important points.
THREE: write down your questions for your loved one’s doctor/consultant.
FOUR: do not leave the surgery/consultation suite until you have your questions answered to your satisfaction.
addition: a considered response to the doctor’s inevitable “Hmmm, you’ve been on the Internet” is “No problem is solved through ignorance.”
FIVE: make notes during the consultation with the doctor/consultant. I will emphasise that you DATE each record. Record the doctor’s comments e.g. answer to your questions, ask them to spell out the overly long words (so that you can look it up), why they have chosen one medication regime over another.
SIX: create a diary. Include the detailed notes from consultations and as an appendix succinct summaries of *all* the treatments that your loved one has been given e.g. individual pages for: surgeries; medications, both current and discontinued; treatment regimes; protocols, et cetera. This is not to supersede the professional records but supplement them in cases of emergency and provide documented evidence of a) your focussed interest and b) act as a back up/record.
SEVEN: good luck.
ETA:
Eight: Get to know the nurses and administrative/support staff in the medical offices/centers -- they can offer a wealth of advice and support [thanks to Susnn]
Also consider that their budget is not limitless (no person's budget is limitless) – they make executive decisions and consider costs verse benefits.
In my experience, doctors work more proactively if the patient has an informed and focussed support network.
With this in mind…
ONE: research. The internet -- e.g. web pages, blogs -- is a good starting point. If you are lucky there might be a support group which will have factual help pages.
TWO: write research notes down. The salient points or the details – the facts that get your attention. You’re invested in getting your loved one the best possible care, your focus picks up important points.
THREE: write down your questions for your loved one’s doctor/consultant.
FOUR: do not leave the surgery/consultation suite until you have your questions answered to your satisfaction.
addition: a considered response to the doctor’s inevitable “Hmmm, you’ve been on the Internet” is “No problem is solved through ignorance.”
FIVE: make notes during the consultation with the doctor/consultant. I will emphasise that you DATE each record. Record the doctor’s comments e.g. answer to your questions, ask them to spell out the overly long words (so that you can look it up), why they have chosen one medication regime over another.
SIX: create a diary. Include the detailed notes from consultations and as an appendix succinct summaries of *all* the treatments that your loved one has been given e.g. individual pages for: surgeries; medications, both current and discontinued; treatment regimes; protocols, et cetera. This is not to supersede the professional records but supplement them in cases of emergency and provide documented evidence of a) your focussed interest and b) act as a back up/record.
SEVEN: good luck.
ETA:
Eight: Get to know the nurses and administrative/support staff in the medical offices/centers -- they can offer a wealth of advice and support [thanks to Susnn]
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no subject
Date: 2007-05-09 01:58 am (UTC)<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>no subject
Date: 2007-05-09 02:41 pm (UTC)Remember to breathe and enjoy life and friends and family whenever and wherever possible. You have yesterday and today and tomorrow will come regardless.
Hang in there.
p.s. I love the addition to number 4. It's going on the top of my record sheets.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-09 06:13 pm (UTC)