Comments on: Docs Say Keep Mum but Some Patients Want to Tell All

By: TC

TC — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:47:35 +0000

There are many good doctors out there but some are mainly in medicine for the pay check. Sadly, I have seen the worse in the past five months.

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-250903
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-251897
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-252089

By: SWM

SWM — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:47:42 +0000

It is hard to swallow that some MDs would go so far as to have patients sign a waiver – not disclose any information about their experiences with the doctor. This would make me feel really uncomfortable. I would think that MDs would be more apt to encourage good feedback rather than none at all… In the case of medical tourism, many overseas MDs are well aware that they will be spoken of, and take this very seriously when providing patients with care. A lot of these MDs have trained and studied within the US and make it a point to deliver the best care they can- often referrals and word of mouth can bring them more patients. I feel that making patients feel comfortable and cared for is a huge portion of an MD’s responsibilities, and if they are unable to do so- perhaps they are in the wrong field!

By: e-Patient Dave

e-Patient Dave — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 21:41:45 +0000

Hi, I’m the blogger mentioned in the ABC story. There’s a terrific discussion about this on the e-Patients blog

This is a pretty deep subject, and some smart people on that blog have been studying how much useful information e-patients can contribute; sharing ratings is just one small example. For instance, when I was diagnosed as almost dead two years ago, it was a *patient community*, no web site, that told me where to find the best specialist for my desperate condition. Today that community continues to meet new members who never got told about the treatment I received.

There’s a movement gathering, toward Participatory Medicine, in which empowered patients are actively engaged in managing their care, in *partnership* with physicians.

It doesn’t come through in the story, but one thing I said during the interview is that I’d never get anywhere NEAR a doctor who didn’t give me a solid feeling of trust. Years ago I was severely shafted by one arrogant physician and almost shafted by another – I learned my lesson and if I get the slightest hint of “I’m god – who has the medical degree here??” I walk immediately. Those days are over.

“e-Patient Dave” deBronkart, Nashua NH