Does Your Doctor Listen to You? It's the Inside Story...
The Diabetes Forum is the place to discuss anything about diabetes, including concerns about a health care professional who doesn't seem to listen.
New forum member Danamicah was worried about her symptoms and posted this message, In addition to frequent urination & unusual thirst, which are known symptoms of diabetes, I have frequent heart palpitations, pounding, & my mind is very unclear-I can't think, remember simple things, or focus... read more.
Long time member adriennesmema answers, My one and only question.... "Why have you not seen a doctor?" No one here can diagnose and won't... read more.
Danamicah replies, Thanks so much for your response. Unfortunately, I went to the doctor & they gave me a fasting blood test which, in their words, turned out okay...I tried to tell the doctor all of my symptoms, but she didn't seem too interested. She even stopped me before I could tell her all of them... read more.
Chollalamb adds, Go back and get copies of all your records!! then find a new doctor!! Most of us here on Diabetes Forum have fired at least a couple of doctors. You can tell her that since she can't be bothered to listen to you that you have decided to find another who will listen... read more.
Does your doctor listen to you? Post your comments in the forum or here at the end of this article.
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Comments
My doctor seemed to be very quiet. Couldn’t beleive my symptoms. Absolutely indifferent to my complaints. She just told me many other patients suffer the same symptoms it doesn’t mean that you all have a serious disease, it is a general phenomena!!!!
Just to tell you folks who read this that I had recurrent UTI, a few episodes of faintings, plus unclear mind, thirst and frequency. What could be more decisive than all of these symptoms?
I think that we are living in an era that we should be our own doctors rather than relying on anyone else to diagnose our problems. It was me, who diagnosed and requested the test which turned out to be positive and surprised my health care team.
FK
We must become informed consumers and assert the right to be heard.Doctors are busy,no doubt,but ignoring clearly serious symptoms is unacceptable and dangerous.
My experience in the last few years has been disturbing and at times disinterested Doctors have put my health at risk.now I have a Family Doctor who listens,gets the correct consultations,respects my knowledge(I am a nurse)and has helped me fire a couple of Endocrinologists.Of course,I realize I am fortunate in this regard.
Keep on fighting for yourself and building your knowledge base.
At the recent Diabetes Expo in Vancouver (Canada), we learnt that family doctors are now paid an Annual Complex Care Planning Fee for patients with two or more of the following chronic conditions: diabetes, congestive heart failure, asthma, cerebrovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, chronic kidney disease and chronic bronchitis. They are paid $125 once per year to review with the patient the medications, lab results and health care (generally with a diabetes flow sheet).
Debra,
Sadly, doctors are often too busy to spend the time attentively listening to patients that they would hope for in their own care. Thank goodness for you and your site - a place where individuals can become educated and empowered to take the helm with their health care! I’ll share a funny suggestion I gave my patients when I left private practice. Find a doctor that is hard to get in to see (booked out) and one that is often backed up requiring long waits in the waiting room. What??? Being booked out is often a sign of a doctors popularity - and perhaps their listening skills. Being backed up often means they are taking extra time to listen to someone, and maybe they will take more time to listen to you. Kind of counterintuitive but I have been told by more than a few that it worked!
Lynne Eldridge MD
About.com Guide to Lung Cancer