Tag: questions

Will ya stop harassing me about my decision?

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Hey there doctors! Guess what? It’s actually a good thing when you have a knowledgeable patient interested in their health care!

It has come to my attention after being a patient A LOT lately, that for some doctors, having a patient who is knowledgeable, dares to ask a question, and is genuinely invested in their own healthcare is some kind of terrifying threat.

Huh? Why? Can anyone tell me why? To me, this makes no sense whatsoever. When I get that patient who asks questions and truly gives a crap about their own health care and wants to be involved, I personally feel like I hit the lottery! I am like O Happy Day! Let’s get you healed and healthier together. Let’s help make you the captain of your own healthcare team. Let’s surge you on to the path to wellness together!

The chances of success in this type of scenario are about a 100 times the chances if it’s not. When you have a patient that is willing to put the work in, is interested enough to ask the questions instead of just blindly following without understanding, that is like striking gold. That is awesome! That is the goal we should be trying to achieve! I just don’t understand why it doesn’t seem to be for most physicians.

But, knowing me. I have a few theories though and I would like to share them with you. Mind you these are just theories and I have no scientific documented proof, but I have had a hell of a lot of experience as a physician and as a patient and this is what I have seen.

I am worried that the physicians that seem so threatened by a patient that asks questions perhaps are just not confident enough in the care or the information that they are providing, or not providing as the case may be.

Well, this should never be the case. Be prepared at all times for questions and clarification. Know your patient so well that you can pre-anticipate what questions might be asked even before they are asked. Actually look at that chart before you enter the room. Anything you are unsure about? Look it up ahead of time and either be ready to talk about it or honestly admit that you don’t know,but are willing to help find someone who does.

It really is that easy sometimes. I get it. Not all conversations are easy. I am just saying that you have to put the pre work in to make things go as well as possible. Sometimes you are giving potentially horrendous news. There is nothing easy about that. It is not the patient’s job to reassure you, it is your job to reassure and support them. This news may make your day a lot tougher emotionally, but it may be changing their entire life all at once. It’s about the patient and your purpose is to help the patient so you gotta just pick up your bootstraps and do it or find another profession.

The bottom line is, I am not one of those threatened by patients being involved or asking questions. I welcome it with full on joy! Bring on them questions!

Dr. Katz

Flattening the social skills curve: a side effect of the COVID pandemic

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Does anyone else out there notice that they have forgotten how to have a normal conversation lately? I feel like somehow in my mind these last five weeks have really been ten years and I have become sort of like Nel and am losing some basic language skills due to lack of exposure…lol I really have no excuse. I am still working, when I can get patients to show up, and I have had to leave the house a few times for essentials. I do see actual human beings every day at my house and at least once a week at the office and the hospital. And yet, I find myself talking to my dogs like they are my best friend and mooning over 5 year old Facebook memories as if I cannot even remember what those times were like. If I happen to be out walking the dogs( which is often whenever I am home. I am going to have the most fit Shih Tzus on the planet!) I find myself doing an intensive mental prep just in case a random person were to show up and want to have a conversation…..at a safe distance. I try to have any one of a dozen pre prepared things to say because when it does happen, I find myself blathering on endlessly like a 5 year old just to make the conversation last longer until the unsuspecting person finally tears themselves away. Yikes! I am so sorry! I just can’t help it right now. I find myself doing the same thing at the grocery store, just in case someone would want to talk to me. I give over exuberant responses to the basic, polite ” How ya doin?” question as if it might be the last question I am ever asked. I realize that it is ridiculous, but I can’t seem to stop myself just the same. It seems like I am attempting to flatten my own curve right now: the social skills curve. Here’s hoping that that is as temporary as our quarantine. Have a great day everybody!

Dr. Katz