July 11, 2013
Dear Doctor,
I am a good patient. I’m organized, I know my health history and I’m particularly polite. I’ll thank you just for giving me bad news.
I look up to you. I do see myself as a partner in my care, but I depend on your expertise. I appreciate the years of schooling and sleepless residency nights that have trained you to know what might be causing my pain and how to adjust my medications.
My appointments always run smoothly. There isn’t overreaction or disregard for your advice. It may seem like I am open and honest with you, but I have a few secrets.
Secret #1: I trust you, sometimes more than myself. This makes me second guess my symptoms. Because I live with a chronic illness, I have learned to cope with pain and physical abnormalities that might be concerning to you. If you deem my condition stable I will push my concerns to the back burner. The headache? It’s no big deal. The nausea? Barely noticeable.
Source: http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2013/07/3-secrets-doctor.html
