Doctors have patients I have...people, friends, I don't know what else to call them? They're just people that ask for help, maybe because they read my blog, saw something I posted on Facebook or somebody suggested they chat to me. From my very beginnings in they health industry I hated the word patient. At one point I had a desire to become a Doctor, with one or two caveats, I neither wanted patients nor did I want to dish out pills in an authoritative manner without the "patient" being involved in the diagnostic process. Hence I didn't get past the Med School interview and I'm not a Doctor.
My love of diagnostic processes, a desire to collate data prior to making an informed decision, and the above all that I present my findings to the individual, explain the differential diagnostic process and allow them to draw their own conclusions. It is important that I do not diagnose, partly because I'm not allowed to as I've not ticked the right boxes and attained the correct title, but more importantly because nobody should be a greater authority then the person themselves.I meet two types of people in my work, the anti-authoritarians and the patients. The patients typically struggle with my methods, they want me to be the authority, I want them to fix themselves (with some guidance). They want a diet sheet, I want them to learn, to understand, to take ownership, to realise that things change. And that unless they take the wheel, they may veer wildly off course without even realising it.
authority NOUN
The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.
‘he had absolute authority over his subordinates’
‘a rebellion against those in authority’
My love of diagnostic processes, a desire to collate data prior to making an informed decision, and the above all that I present my findings to the individual, explain the differential diagnostic process and allow them to draw their own conclusions. It is important that I do not diagnose, partly because I'm not allowed to as I've not ticked the right boxes and attained the correct title, but more importantly because nobody should be a greater authority then the person themselves.I meet two types of people in my work, the anti-authoritarians and the patients. The patients typically struggle with my methods, they want me to be the authority, I want them to fix themselves (with some guidance). They want a diet sheet, I want them to learn, to understand, to take ownership, to realise that things change. And that unless they take the wheel, they may veer wildly off course without even realising it.
authority NOUN
The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.
‘he had absolute authority over his subordinates’
‘a rebellion against those in authority’
As a nation we are incredibly impatient in so many aspects of our lives, from instantly downloading books and expecting next day delivery (and impending same day drone drops if the media can be believed), through to ready meals that ping out the microwave. Yet when it comes to our health we are prepared to patiently wait for care, so stoic in our acceptance of our illness the we patiently accept whatever our Doctor tells us without question. Admittedly aren't patient with the long wait to see a doctor, venture in any waiting room and you'll hear disgruntled snorts, tuts, sighs, and a fair bit of moaning about the inability to book an appointment. Yet when it comes down to actually sitting face to face with the doctor we become the patient, submissive and compliant. Suddenly we accept whatever we are told and trudge back for test after test, repeat prescription after repeat prescription, popping pill after pill usually with a distinct lack of progress, and more often than not a refusal to discuss anything you may bring up. If the Doctor gives the condition a name, we love it and take ownership like a new baby, often telling our friends and family about it. Often when given a named condition we'll be referred to a specialist in that specific named condition, at which point we are able to claim ownership of "my rheumatologist" or whatever specialist it is. We treat them like Gods and frequently sign our bodies away for medical experimentation without a second thought.
From an early age I always had a problem with authority, it wasn't that I grew up a screaming anarchist hell bent on fighting the power, I just never saw why somebody, indeed anybody could hold a position of authority over me. Surely we should be able to challenge any person and their views, beliefs and actions. Our early days in school are all about discipline, conformity, disempowerment, fitting in and ultimately becoming dependent upon the system. You tick the boxes, they give you the credentials that you need to progress in the system and so forth. Once this compliance with authority is established it can extend to all areas of your life, an overwhelming desire to comply, to do as your told. The Doctor knows best, and you mustn't challenge their authority. Compliance and a willingness to submit to the statins, diabetes drugs, the endless painkillers, antidepressants and the ever growing cocktail of pharmaceutical concoctions that numb our very existence. And despite all this we never ask why? What does it do? Will it help?
Next time you visit your Doctor, do your research, ask some questions. Typically they hate it, they may lash out and ridicule your attempt to engage in your health. Stand your ground, ask questions, get explanations that you can understand. It's your body and nobody has a right to take ownership of what happens with it, especially in a 7 minute consulatation.
From an early age I always had a problem with authority, it wasn't that I grew up a screaming anarchist hell bent on fighting the power, I just never saw why somebody, indeed anybody could hold a position of authority over me. Surely we should be able to challenge any person and their views, beliefs and actions. Our early days in school are all about discipline, conformity, disempowerment, fitting in and ultimately becoming dependent upon the system. You tick the boxes, they give you the credentials that you need to progress in the system and so forth. Once this compliance with authority is established it can extend to all areas of your life, an overwhelming desire to comply, to do as your told. The Doctor knows best, and you mustn't challenge their authority. Compliance and a willingness to submit to the statins, diabetes drugs, the endless painkillers, antidepressants and the ever growing cocktail of pharmaceutical concoctions that numb our very existence. And despite all this we never ask why? What does it do? Will it help?
Next time you visit your Doctor, do your research, ask some questions. Typically they hate it, they may lash out and ridicule your attempt to engage in your health. Stand your ground, ask questions, get explanations that you can understand. It's your body and nobody has a right to take ownership of what happens with it, especially in a 7 minute consulatation.
It is a capital mistake to theorize before you have all the evidence. It biases the judgment. - SH
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