Patients rights vs doctor rights
Patient’s rights
1. You have the right to be called by your surname. If you are called by your first name, you have the right to call the doctor by his—it keeps the relationship on even ground.
2. You have the right to be interviewed with your clothes on. You should not have to give your history and symptoms while you’re in stirrups or sitting on an examining table, wrapped in nothing but paper.
3. You have the right to be notified of all test results-abnormal and normal-in a timely fashion. Some doctors will choose to mail you a note, others will call you or even ask you to come back. But you shouldn’t have to chase down your M.D. or the report.
4. You have the right to your 15 minutes with the doctor. That means—barring an emergency—there are no interruptions, no phone calls, no extraneous people walking into the room.
5. You have the right to be seen within a half hour of your appointment. Making you wait for an hour or more is unconscionable—it sends the message that the doctors time is more valuable than yours. If your physician is delayed, there should be an apology and an explanation—or I believe you should not have to pay the bill.
But a patient can’t expect these courtesies without being part of the team. Here’s your part of the bargain:
Doctor’s rights
1. Your doctor has the right to know the truth about your habits. Admit to the alcohol and cigarettes. Tell him about the herbal medications and over-the-counter products you are taking. They can affect treatment.
2. Your doctor has the right to know if you’re confused. Ask questions. And if you feel uncertain about a diagnosis or treatment, ask for a second opinion. A good doctor won’t mind.
3. Your doctor has the right to know if you aren’t going to follow his advice. Just say so. It is frustrating, even dangerous, for a physician to believe that you’re going along with a certain regimen when you’re not.
4. Your doctor has the right to expect you to be on time. If you’re running late, call the office. Nothing irritates an M.D. more than waiting for the 5:00 p.m. patient only to have her arrive at 6:00—or not at all.
5. Your doctor has the right to see only the patient who made the appointment. Don’t bring another family member for a quick checkup. The choreography of our day is complicated; throwing in an extra exam may seem like a shortcut to you, but it can derail an entire office schedule.