Retired MD (anesthesiologist) and retired H a cardiologist. So much has changed over the years. Those of you who had procedures years ago would be amazed by what can be done. I/we saw the evolution of cardiology and -wow!
Human bodies are still as complex and individual as always so there is no one size fits all diagnosis and treatment. With all that we know and how exponentially knowledge has increased it seems as though we should know everything by now, but it just isn’t so.
I also have my handy dandy sheet of everything medical- history, disorders, meds, procedures, dates. Who remembers exactly when x, y and z were done, started…? Time flies. I am fortunate/unfortunate to have a bunch of relatively minor things- better I think than one overwhelming condition. I would make a great teaching patient for some lucky/unlucky medical student who had to look up everything!
Being in charge of your body/health care is the way to go! You need the whole picture as the experts are there to focus in on their area and can miss the forest for the trees. Remember that physicians (and others in health care) are humans just like you. We have all of the good/bad, strengths/weaknesses everyone else does as competent adults.
OP- sorry I didn’t see this thread before your cath. I would have said not to worry at all. Knowing what is not wrong is important even if the final answer isn’t found.
I feel that I am pretty good at researching, putting it all together and reminding the doctors of what’s been done/what’s not, but I wonder about people who aren’t on top of this as much. There is so much information to keep together for the more complex issues, and not everyone has a personal attendant like me or the ability to do it all by themselves. Just makes me wonder how many people are slipping through the cracks, even though with online health information, our doctors can go online and look up every single thing, every test, every procedure, it’s all there if you are willing to look.
What I’m finding is that a number of doctors aren’t even looking at any information until we show up. I have to tell them, no, this test was done, yes, this happened, basic things that we have answered in the questionnaire, and the reason why we are even there. They wait until we are there and then they pull up the MRI (that I made sure their office knew was available ahead of time), and look at the X-rays, cat scans. It is so easy to miss things when it appears some are just winging it. For the simplest flight, I look into things ahead of time, delve into more complex issues if need be. I don’t just show up, and say, “Here I am, where am I going? Let’s go!”
I have a great daughter who is a PA. The csrdiologist came back after rounds and spoke with her on Monday to explain why he wanted me to have the catheterization. She got on her phone and texted all her friends so it ended up being a Conference that unanimously said do the cath.
That is great, KKmama! To have a medical expert who actually loves you and cares about every little detail. Sounds like you have the best advocate, ever.
I am very fortunate to have had some amazing docs treat me over the years. When they didn’t gave answers and the question was important, they’d refer me to a consult and circle back to tell me what was found and what it means.
I do see folks falling through the cracks a lot because honestly a lot of the medical personnel are very stretched for time and resources. It is scary when they have no advocate and don’t have a good understanding of their condition(s) and no one will explain it so they understand.
It is troubling that health materials are supposed to be written for 5th grade level but many are written for much higher reading levels and patients (especially those with English as a second language or low literacy) struggle to understand,
I try to pay it forward by sharing information with others and gathering resources that help the professionals and the patients.