| When patients have ailments they present these | | | | who is ultimately effected by the outcome of the |
| issues to a diagnostician who then advises them | | | | results, must be willing to step forward and |
| to have some sort of follow up in order to | | | | accept some responsibility. Patients need to first |
| ascertain the degree of the problem. The patient | | | | be aware of the limitations of their physicians, |
| assumes he/she is receiving credible advice and | | | | physicians now practice 'Defensive Medicine', |
| that they are directed in the proper direction to | | | | where by many procedures are not done solely |
| obtain information that will help solve their | | | | because the physician wants to be thorough in |
| problem. However assumptions as we all know | | | | their treatment plans, but rather because they |
| may sometimes lead to complications. Medicine | | | | are trying to protect themselves from a potential |
| has become a specialized field and not all | | | | lawsuit. Plus there is the 'Good Ole Boy Network' |
| physicians are knowledgeable or specially trained in | | | | were physicians refer patients to cronies they |
| all areas, so concerns arise when physicians order | | | | have had a business relationship with in the past, |
| examinations that may not be appropriate for the | | | | even though this may not be the most |
| symptoms being presented. Insurance also has a | | | | convenient or expert facility for the patient. |
| part in denying or approving payment for many | | | | Choose your physicians wisely. The onus to |
| of these procedures, patients need to know what | | | | investigate the facility also falls to the patient, |
| their coverages will allow. The other issue involves | | | | either by phone calls, internet or even visiting a |
| the facility the patient is advised to have the | | | | facility before hand to insure this is the |
| procedure performed in. Are they being referred | | | | appropriate place to get the results needed. |
| to the best available facility for that procedure? Is | | | | Unfortunately many patients blindly trust their |
| the procedure commonly performed there? Is the | | | | physicians to make these decisions for them, |
| personnel trained? Is the facility approved or | | | | never questioning these directives. Which has in |
| certified by State and Local agencies? Is the | | | | part led us to the current level of substandard |
| equipment up to date? Is the facility in a safe | | | | care in many instances. The advice is not to take |
| environment? Is the interpretation of the | | | | too much for granted when it comes to your |
| procedure being evaluated by someone with the | | | | medical care, ask questions and be involved in |
| proper credentials to do so? | | | | your treatment plans, your health is your most |
| These issues tend to not be addressed unless | | | | precious commodity. |
| there is a problem after the fact. The patient | | | | |