While many doctors are highly professional and take their patients’ health seriously, some do not allow their patients to voice their concerns in a comfortable setting, dismissing their fears and insisting on a particular course of treatment. Doctors are human, just the same as the rest of us, and are capable of making mistakes. But some patients would rather go along with their doctor’s advice, even when they doubt that the advice will be of any use or benefit to them. If you feel that your doctor’s advice is wrong or you need time to consider what would be best for you, read on to learn more about how to confront your doctor when you disagree with their advice.
Second Opinion
If you have serious doubts about your doctor’s advice, do not immediately dismiss your fears. Rather than submit to a course of treatment that you feel is unnecessary or invasive, ask for a second opinion from another doctor.
Time to Consider
Visiting a doctor’s surgery and sitting opposite your doctor as he or she speaks with you about your medical condition or issue can be a very intimidating experience. For some, it is very difficult to voice an opinion contrary to the doctor’s recommendation. After all, isn’t the doctor always right? Rather than appear argumentative or difficult, many patients keep their thoughts to themselves and go along with the doctor’s advice, even when they know that this would not be the best course of action. If this is how you feel, simply ask your doctor for time to consider what you have discussed and arrange for a follow up appointment to talk through your options. Any reasonable doctor will accede to the requests of their patients, allowing them time to ponder the best course of treatment, if any, that is being suggested and recommended.
Research
Patients should always keep themselves thoroughly informed about their medical condition or issue so that they are armed with the correct and most up to date information when they talk to their doctor. Remember that the doctor’s job is to prescribe what they feel is the best possible course of treatment for their patients.
Phone Consultation
A phone consultation can work well as a follow up with your doctor if you are sure that a visit to the doctor’s surgery will make it hard to refuse certain treatments offered by the doctor. It is less intrusive and intimidating and can put a patient’s mind at ease, as the patient will not have to talk to their doctor face to face.
Many patients have a hard time confronting their doctor when they disagree with their advice. But before dismissing it, listen to what your doctor has to say. Then if you still disagree, ask for a second opinion, take the time to consider your doctor’s advice, and conduct your own personal research. At times, the only way to confront a pushy doctor, is to do so over the phone and to make it clear that you are not willing to submit to a particular course of treatment that they have prescribed. But be warned that you will then be liable for any ensuing consequences.
