Читать книгу How to be Your Doctor’s Favorite Patient - David Claytor - Страница 13

Dick Stein looked like he was seeing a ghost rather than his new physician. As the white-clad image of Dr. Lionel Hemingway appeared before his eyes, Mr. Stein turned pale, and drops of sweat gathered at his brow.

As he took Dick’s clammy hand in greeting, the physician said, “I’d ask you how you’re feeling, but it’s obvious you’re not feeling very well today.”

“Oh, I’m all right,” he replied. “I’m just here for a refill on my nasal spray. But I don’t like doctors, and I don’t like needles.”

“Well, I’m glad you don’t like needles, but I hope you’ll eventually look on me as your ally.”

“Don’t count on it.”

Dr. Hemingway flashed a forced smile. “Let’s just go ahead and get you your refill and you can be on your way.”

They were both in such a hurry to see the last of one another that Mr. Stein failed to mention the abdominal pains he’d been having lately while playing tennis, and Dr. Hemingway certainly didn’t encourage further communication. Two weeks later, when Mr. Stein was hospitalized with a dissecting abdominal aneurysm, he found out he not only didn’t like doctors— he didn’t like surgery or hospitals either.

Most people don’t like to go to the doctor’s office, and those who actually do like it are not only in the minority but may have a problem: hypochondriasis. No one likes pain (needles), expense (X-rays), wasted time (the waiting room), and most of all, fear–the fear that something is really wrong with you. Previous unhappy experiences in the office or hospital often increase your anxiety and sense of dread and become a self-fulfilling prophecy that the visit will be something you “don’t like.”

A cheerfully appointed waiting room, a friendly staff, and a physician with a likeable and soothing manner go a long way towards making the encounter as pleasant as possible. We physicians know there are other places you’d rather be–we just don’t want to hear about it.

 Do remember that doctors don’t like your disease either; they like helping you get better.

 Don’t tell you doctor that you “don’t like doctors”; if you’ve had bad experiences in the past, try not to generalize.

 Do focus your negative feelings on your illness rather than those who are trying to help you.

 Do remember that just as you’d rather be elsewhere than a doctor’s office, so would your physician rather be “gone fishing” (or golfing, or gardening, or sailing).