In all the debate about health care, one thing that is often overlooked is the doctor-patient relationship. While you may have little influence over your legislator or your insurance company, you do have the power to improve your health care every time you visit your doctors. By using colorful vignettes inspired by his years in the field of family medicine, Dr. Brad Colegate will show you how becoming your doctor's «favorite patient» can get you the best possible health care–and maybe even save you money!
Оглавление
David Claytor. How to be Your Doctor’s Favorite Patient
Acknowledgements
Note to the Reader
Introduction
PERSONALITIES. Trekkies
The Social Caller
The Silent Type
The Pierced Patient
The Macho Man
The Executive
The Violent Patient
The Name-Caller
The White Glove Patient
Patients Who Don’t Like Doctors
The Self-Destructing Patient
“Special” Patients
The Lawyer
The Queen of Extraneous Details
The Medical Student
The Physician
TIME & MONEY “I Have This Form For You To Fill Out”
Staff Members
“I Don’t Have Time To Be Sick”
“Just Phone It In”
The Impatient Patient
The Laundry List
The Deadbeat
The Referral Refuser
“Call Me”
“Oh, By The Way, Doc…”
The Powder Room Patient
FAMILY TROUBLES. The Menace
The Family Member
Dr. Mom
The Silent Partner
The Family Entourage
The Teenager’s Warden
THE SEEKERS. The Siren
The Vitamin Junkie
The Drug Seeker
The Doctor Shopper
The New Guru
Ponce De Leon
The Doctor Idolizer
“Please Excuse Johnny From School Today”
The Antibiotic Addict
MISCELLANEOUS MISUNDERSTANDINGS. The Waiting Room Magazine Bandit
“I’m Allergic To Something”
“It’s A Little White Pill…”
The Handshaker
The Soap Opera
The Fashion Model
“My Chiropractor Says…”
The Sensitive Stomach
Ring-A-Ding-Ding
“You Want To Do What?!”
The Animal Lover
Patients Who Die
Playtime In The Office
Patients Who Don’t Follow Up
“Have I Got News For You!”
The Refrigerated Stethoscope
“Have You Ever Had This Problem, Doctor?”
“Oh, My Aching Back”
The Patient Who Plays Doctor
Postscript
About the Author
About the Illustrator
Отрывок из книги
This book has been in my head for many years, but bringing it to fruition has involved a number of other level-headed and talented people. Thanks to my nephew, James Lake; my partner, Andrew Mitchell; and Emily Seligman for their sharp-eyed reviews and editorial advice. Thanks to all the people at FastPencil for their assistance with the publishing of this book, and to Jim Caputo for his wonderful illustrations.
The characters in this book are entirely fictional (with the exception of the author himself in one story), and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. The stories and the advice which follows them are general in nature and may not apply to your particular situation. As always, consult with your own physicians regarding any specific questions or concerns about your health and medical care.
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To someone born a hundred years ago, the medical world of today might seem as fantastic as those movies. Medical technology, like computer, aviation, and other technologies, is doing things that once were only a dream. Sometimes all the new hardware gives us a false sense of security and shields us from the hard fact that people get sick and die–eventually. This isn’t to say that we shouldn’t use technology to our advantage, but that like any other resource, we need to recognize its limits, conserve it, and use it when appropriate.
When the results came back negative in a few days, Mr. Nararan smiled and became effusive in his relief. “Thank you, thank you. Dr. Peters, you have made me so happy. I will be sure to see you whenever I have a problem.”
