Making our own decisions about our health

I have found that much of my medical care has devolved to "Shut up, he explained." [Great quote by Ring Lardner.]

At the same time, if you do research on your own, you're denounced as "Seeing Dr. Google," and they think that's just as bad, subordinating their authority.

What to do?

I've always felt that my healthcare is mine, and my responsibility. Doctors are presumed to have a better-informed opinion than laymen, but it's still an opinion. My personal experience counts for a lot with me. Plus, I used to do research professionally, and I'm pretty good at it.

So I triangulate -- docs' opinions, my experience, my research.

How do others deal with this?

Yes we should have an active part in our health. I'm sure my doctors hate to see me coming because I bring a list of questions and rake notes on our discussions. Then I look up thing from the appointment on the computer. Drs. aren't Gods! Hang in there!

Love Dr Google, Mayo, John Hopkins Scripps. I study and research on a regular basis.

You just about have to!

I do the same thing - bring a list and ask questions! Good for us!

If I listen completely there would all sorts of procedures with unchangeable consequences that could last a lifetime… they don’t know how my body feels most are in it for the money and if doesn’t work out they go oops sorry and who is stuck with the consequences

Hi @scottrl ,

I have mentioned research to different doctors as, lucky me, I have a couple of rare conditions. I said that I am using pubmed, nih, cdc, and nejm, and that this is so much easier than the research I normally do as it is in English and this century, and most likely my Latin is better than theirs. I ask informed questions. I print out my sources. I do not always get answers. Most frustrating appointment, apparently the doctor had googled my condition before seeing me and quoted what I wrote about it, to me 😉. And so no new solutions to my issue.

That is alarming. Can this really be happening? Don't doctors go to a thousand years of schooling!!!!! I could have never got away with this on my job when I worked.

@mikaylar
Yes and no.
I might have written a well sourced (there are not many) article on the subject. The doctor just did not connect me with the article. It just told me that when you have a rare condition (it stumped many experts) they google too.

We are supposed to be in control of our health and make informed decisions. The question is where we get the information from to make these decisions. Most of the time, physicians are busy and are not able to answer all our questions. That is why we turn to other sources for answers.
I think the problem is not with physicians but with us patients. We trust certain credentials more than someone who is experienced with what we are going through. Someone who tried this and that to find the path to healing.
For example, I am an IBD Support Coach who has been living with Crohn's for over 15 years. My journey was full of challenges that I had to face and find a way to adapt to the disease. I do not think a specialist knows the experience of being a patient to guide others from that perspective, which could be more efficient in some cases. Still, patients are hesitant to use my coaching service, in which I dedicate time for them to address their concerns rather than getting through a quick medical appointment. Patients only trust medical certificates and licenses when it comes to health.