Do you ever question a doctor's advise?

I am NOT asking to start a debate..I am truly wondering. I know that I was lied to and given much misinformation and that will never, ever happen to me again. I didn't follow my gut insinct..I allowed myself to be dupped. This has been a very hard lesson for me to learn..a painful one.
Perhaps that experience has made me realize that I must use my own gut and question things now..Thankfully I have found a very good OB that I trust, but you know what? I still do my own research and make my own decisions now. I mean doctors are only humans and each as their own "beliefs". There is really no perfect person in any profession.

Many years ago I went to an othropedic for a hand problem and after 5 months of him sending me to physical therapy and trying medications I went to a new doctor. That new doctor found the problem by reviewing the very first Xray..and thankfully he did because it required 3 surgeries and physical therapy could not make it better. So if I had just "trusted" the first doctor and not questioned where the treatement was going I would still be in pain and most likely have even more permenant damage to my hand nerves.

What about you? When do you question advise, get a 2nd opinion, do your own research, trust your gut, pray for answers etc....

I will say that after meeting pediatricians you will get a sense of MANY different ways to do things..one doctor says to start solids at 3 months, another says not to start until 6 months, some believe in certain medications, others say that they don't give Rx for that med too often....your head can really spin with peds!

Re: Do you ever question a doctor's advise?

always...

i have been very disappointed with healthcare in general the last 10 years, but remember having wonderful experiences as a child. nowadays i feel like a number who has to constantly seek information elsewhere and make drama for the slightest bit of attention (not my style).

unfortunatley i feel like healthcare is just another case of "buyer beware"...

Re: Do you ever question a doctor's advise?

I have never questioned my OBGYN because I trust her with my life. She's a fantastic doctor who actually saved my mother's life. So I've never even thought to question her. I have however questioned some doctors-who I now no longer use. I am always looking up things on the internet and if I'm not comfortable with something I have gone for 2nd opinions.

Re: Do you ever question a doctor's advise?

I always research the topic before I go into a dr's office so I am armed with many probing questions. Dr's are humans too, sometimes I think we put too much into them. I would most def get a second opinion if anything required surgery or powerful meds.

I know when my baby girl is here, I am going to drive myself nuts with advice and what to do when it comes to certain milestones. Maybe I will feel differently when the time comes but my mother's instinct will always come first.

Re: Do you ever question a doctor's advise?

Hmmm...

Certain things (like deciding when to do cereal for instance) No.... I dont feel there is need to "question" a Dr.'s advice in areas such as these, because really.. You as the childs mother, know whats best.... Just because a Dr. recommends 4 months... dosent meet you cant wait til 6 OR start @ 3... EVERY child is different...therefore obviously a DR.'s standard advice isnt gonna work for every child!

In illness... YES, I havent had to, and hopefully never will... BUT if I had a continuous problem with my child, and my ped. kept saying it was nothing (or something else- less serious) and I felt in my heart it was more... Then I absolutely would go for a 2nd opinion.

This goes for myself as well.... If I feel my Dr. recomendations are not helping, or resolving the problem, or feel I was not properly diagnosed... I would seek advice from another...

I think its alot harder while your pg. ESP if your issues are at the end... You've already been there 8 months... they already know your body, your "issues" and all your history.... Its hard...right before your about to POP... to get on the phone, and randomly start "trying out" new Dr.'s!!!!


Again- when it comes to your child or your body....YOu have a good sense when something not right...

Re: Do you ever question a doctor's advise?

I definitely do. there is so much information available out there now that I can't see not being educated-I also love research so that helps. I actually switched Gyn's after my M/C. My former Dr's office did not provide the level of care and attention I was seeking and i would do it again in a heartbeat.

Re: Do you ever question a doctor's advise?

I do. For a few reasons....

The main one is I worked in Dr.'s office for a long time and found that they are just human- they cry, flirt, gossip- they are just people and I don't think some people realize that- prior to that I would have never questioned them, I felt they knew better.

The second reason is my brother is a Dr. and gives me a whole new perspective, especially during my pregnancy, since he is an OB and my OB was an azz.

Re: Do you ever question a doctor's advise?

I think most of us grew up with this belief that doctors are some kind of mortal gods and we must believe everything they say. But in reality they are human and capable of making mistakes. There is nothing wrong with questioning a doctor's advise or seeking out a 2nd opinion or doing you're own reasearch. As a nurse I do my best to speak up for my patient when I don't feel the treatment seems right but as the patient you are your own best advocate and you should never be silenced.

Message edited 2/20/2006 9:15:48 PM.

Re: Do you ever question a doctor's advise?

Yes I constantly question the entire medical profession and I am a member of it. I often feel physicians have alterior motives and are often motivated by kick backs from ins. companies and drug companies.

I was so happy to find midwives that treated me with kindness and respect as a patient. The always listened, I mean really listened to me, took time with me and did all they could to make sure that my daughter's birth was all I hoped it would be. I never felt like they had an agenda except to provide me with the best medical care that they could.

I am happy with the pediatrician we found because he repsects our role as parents and always leaves the ultimate decison up to us. He never tries to push an agenda on us. He will offer suggestions but never shows and dismay if we make our own decison. For example Miranda is almost 5 months old and we have not given her any vacciantions yet and he has not said one thing about our decision. We will be starting this month and only giving her one shot per month and his only suggestion was that we could probaby do them 2 weeks instead of 4 weeks apart if our only concern was watching for a reaction.

I think many people have lost sight of their rights as patients and are afraid to speak up when then don't agree. IMO doctors rarely make patients feel like they have an open door to discuss situations, they are always in such a hurry.

I have learned to completely trust my gut with both my health and the health of my daughter.

Re: Do you ever question a doctor's advise?

I think you should have as much knowledge about you and your medical care as possible. If something doesn't sit right with you, you should definately question it. I always do my own research on this stuff. I have never actually gone for a second opinion on anything, but recently, with my OB care, I wish I had -- just for more peace of mind about my baby.