Trust

Most people you meet, you generally don't share lots of private information until you have gotten to know them. Your doctor is different. You go see a new doctor for whatever reason and then you start spilling your guts on the state of your gut and other body parts.

If you think about it they are a stranger. I sometimes have to scrape doctors off the floor when I start telling them about my issues and allergies - they all love the fact that I am allergic to benadryl. I have had them start laughing too - with me, not at me.

But it is all about trust. How much do you really trust a stranger?

I think we believe doctors are ethical and honest human beings, with the best interests of the patient in mind. Personally I believe people are honest and ethical for the most part and don't start to lose trust unless I feel betrayed.

I don't mind if my doctors talk about me together in order to figure out how to best treat me. But I would be really upset if my doctors were trying to scam me. You hear the horror stories. I have blogged about a few of them as well. Here's a story with some more but also some good advice:

1. Research your doctor. 
2. Make sure your doctor isn't practicing outside his/her field.
3. Be cautious of doctors who advertise too much.
4. Ask a nurse or other hospital support staff.  
5. Get a second opinion.

Be an educated patient, do your homework and most importantly pay attention to your gut (feelings).

End of life issues

Modern medicine has progressed to the point that often death comes only after you are 'unplugged' so to speak. We keep our hopes up that time will be far in the future. We plan the way we want to go with our living wills, health care proxies, etc. But I do often wonder how do doctors and health care professionals decide when it does not do any good.

I am being morbid here? I don't think so. I read two articles recently that caused me to do some thinking (which I know can be dangerous but not morbid). 

The first one discusses dying connected to a machine. Do you want to die tethered to a machine? I do not thank you. I do not want to die connected to any machine which might be the least bit uncomfortable.

There is also the issue of what could be called 'futile' care. When does caregiving stop having a benefit? When are doctors continuing to treat patients when there is no benefit? There must be a fine line where the body is too weak or sick to respond to treatment or there simply are no more treatments available. Once that line is crossed, anything more than palliative care is futile. Even keeping someone on a machine could be futile if its merely keeping their lungs breathing and heart pumping.

The article talks about building trust between doctors and patients. But this also should include patients families so they understand that there is nothing left to be done.