10 Behaviors Patients Shouldn't Put Up with from Their Doctors

We will never find the perfect doctor, as they are all human and none of them are perfect. It comes as no surprise to most of us that they call their profession "the practice of medicine." One of the leading causes of death and injury in the United States is medical mistakes.

Statistics show that medical errors result in death in the lives of somewhere between 44,000 to 90,000 people in the United States. This is more than those who are killed by the struggle of breast cancer or automobile accidents.

Regardless of whether you are generally healthy, or live with a chronic illness, you still need a physician you can trust. Though an occasional small mistake may occur, it is especially important that you have a doctor who is eager to be part of your medical team for both short-term and long-term treatment.

Are there some sure signs you shouldn't listen to your doctor and you should seek a second opinion, or maybe even shop around for a new physician? Definitely!

1. Your doctor does not listen to all of your symptoms or ask questions about them. He is quick to write down his interpretation when you have not fully been able to explain yourself.

2. Your doctor is persistent about prescribing medicines that are recently available. He does not explain what the medication is, why you need it, how will help your situation, long-term effects, or if there is a plan to get you off of it. You can see the promotional items for the medication around his office.

3. Your doctor acts as if he knows less about your condition that even do. You leave the appointments feeling like all you did was report in your latest symptoms while he took notes.

4. Your doctor doesn't have confidence to treat you, rarely providing actual advice or instructions, but rather says, "What do you think we should do?" or "You do whatever you think is best."

5. Your doctor has a list of procedures or tests you need to have without taking into account the impact it could have on your current health, or your chronic illness. A good doctor keeps your entire well-being and body in mind, not just the part he is "working on."

6. Your doctor seems to give you that look like he is humoring you. When you describe something you read, or ask a question about a new treatment you have heard about, he looks at you with skepticism and a smile and then writes some notes. It feels condescending.

7. Your doctor refuses to let you see the medical records he has on you and your condition. If you request them he says he will send them to another physician, but he seems to go out of his way to make sure you don't personally receive them. At some point you may apply for disability financial support and the social security disability review doctors will want to review your medical history. It is important the records are accurate.

8. Your doctor is rarely available when you need his expertise the most. When you need to make an appointment at the last minute for a special reason, he is not available. He is late in approving refills for prescription medications. His office does not return calls and if you page him after hours for an emergency he doesn't call back for a long time.

9. Your doctor doesn't believe you are in deep pain. He is stingy with pain medication, even when your pain level is extreme and you have proven to be a responsible patient with pain medications.

10. Your doctor seems to appear threatened or annoyed when you wish to get a second opinion or see a different kind of specialist. He does not comply when you ask him to fax his notes to another physician who should be in the loop of your treatment. He seems to think he is the only one who can meet your medical needs.

The best doctor will listen to you thoroughly, take good notes, explain the benefits and drawbacks of medications, and make you feel like you are an integral part of your medical team.

We may never find the perfect doctor, and it may take a while to find someone who is a good match for both our medical condition and our personality. But don't allow your health to be risked just because you are too afraid to speak out and be assertive about your health care needs.