How to be a Responsible Patient or Client
It is not uncommon for us to worry about whether we are getting the best care we can from our doctors or therapists. In many respects, I would say that this is a very healthy concern to have. It shows that we take our health and wellbeing seriously, and that we want to recieve the best treatment we can. However, I have found that many people do not also ask themselves if they are contributing everything they can. To ensure that they are recieving the best care possible from their clinicians and physicians. Being a responsible and active patient or client makes it much easier for those professionals that care for us. It can also ensure that we avoid some potentially hazardous or harmful situations as well. Bearing that in mind, I wanted to post a few things to consider in regard to how we may be able to improve ourselves as patients or clients.
Regardless of if we are seeing a physician, therapist or any other mental or physical health professional. There are some very simple and basic rules that apply in every situation. There are some that may be a little more pertinent to one versus the other. However, in the end, all of these professionals have only one thing on their minds. And that is how they can provide you with the best possible care based on your situation. This is something very important to remember when approaching any of them.
With that in mind, here is a short list of things to consider, and why they are important to our treatment.
1. HONESTY - I cannot stress how imperative and paramount this first rule is. If there is absolutely nothing else that you take away from this list. Please always keep this first rule in mind. It is very understandable for us to, at times, have some anxiety or embarrassment in regard to things we may need to discuss with our care providers. However, in the mental health and most especially medical fields. Honest answers can truly be the difference between life and death. Our doctors, nurses, therapists and clinicians are there to provide us with confidential and judgment-free spaces. Just as it is here on 7cups. There is absolutely no distinction between a little white lie, and a real lie when speaking to any of these professionals. We are seeking their expert care and opinion, because we know and trust that they have the education and training to address our situations. What may seem like a trivial thing to hide or lie to them about. Could truly cause us a very serious, and very harmful impact.
2. Transparency- As with many other entries on this list. This one relates to the first rule in a lot of ways. However, there are enough distinguishing reasons for it to be a rule in itself. We not only need to be as honest as possible with the professionals treating us, We also need to be as open and transparent with them as we can be as well. Most especially about any forms of supplementary treatments we are pursuing, or medications that we are not taking as directed. In regard to supplementary treatments, even those that seem innocous may not be. We should always inform both our therapists and doctors of anything that we are trying on our own. Most especially in regard to any form of holistic, vitamin, or herbal regimens we may be on. We should also speak to them sincerely and honestly about any struggles we are facing in regard to maintaining any treatment plan that they have set for us. Again, most especially if this includes missing, adjusting, or stopping medications that we have been prescribed. One of the other most important things that I can stress in this list, aside from honesty, is this. When we are on any type of prescription medication. It is of the greatest importance that we take this medication exactly as directed by our prescribing physician. We should never, ever attempt to alter or stop it in any way. This is especially applicable to any psychopharmaceutics. Having said this, it is also very important that we refer back to rule no. 1 in regard to if we do attempt this. Regardless if it was by mistake or intentional, if we do take our medication in any way other than how it has been prescribed for us. It is extremely important to speak with our doctor honestly about this, and as soon as possible. Precribers will not be angry or upset at you, if you come to them in an attitude of sincerity and honesty.
3. Trust- We should trust the professionals that we are working with. If they do not have our trust, they will not be nearly as effective. We should feel that we can approach them about anything we need. As well as comfortably know that they are going to treat the situation to the best of their abilities. It is very understandable at times that we may feel we have been misdiagnosed or prescribed something inappropriately. If we find ourselves in a situation such as this, and firmly believe that we need to seek out a second opinion. It is very important that we do continue to follow any treatment plans and take any medications we may have been prescribed until we have been instructed to do so otherwise by another qualified professional. It is also very important however, that if we have sought the opinion of another professional, and they have come to the same conclusion as the first. That we may need to start considering the fact that we may not be seeing something about ourselves which they are by the benefit of their education.
4. Inquisitiveness- We should be active in trying to undertand any illness or treatment that we may have. It is always wise to educate ourselves about things we may be suffering from. If we have any questions, concerns or discomfort with anything that our care providers have said. We should not hesitate to ask them to clarify things better for us. One thing that I have told many patients myself, is that I would much rather have you ask me as many questions as you need now. Instead of having you comply to a treatment that you do not understand, with the intent of not following through with it due to a misunderstanding. Mental and medical health professionals are here to answer our questions. Another thing that I have told many patients and friends in the past is this. It is my job and duty, as the person who is responsible for your wellbeing, health and treatment, to answer any questions you may have to the absolute best of my ability. More than this though, it is partly why I chose to enter the feild that I am in. I would hope, and am sure that any other mental or medical health professionals feel exactly the same way. There are absolutely no questions too small, or too "stupid" to ask your care provider. If it is important enough for you to wonder about. It is most certainly important enough for me to answer and explain.
5. Common Sense- This is the last rule that I will outline in this particular post. It is one that I always feel very cautious about including. As I have found that some people take offense at it. It is not my intention to ever offend anyone in regard to their health. Nor do I add this rule with the intention of trying to make anyone feel unintelligent or belittled. However, it is something that I know I have to remind myself about quite frequently. I believe in general, it is important that we are reminded from time to time that we are smart people with common sense. Like with most other areas that this applies to. If we have to ask ourselves if something is a good idea or not in regard to our health. Chances are we need to just assume that it isn't and wait until we have the proper advice of a qualified professional. I have lost count over how many times I have been injured over careless, stupid decisions. When it comes to our health, we really should never take the gamble. Something else that I always tell any patients I have had, and really everyone in general is this. It is your health (mental or physical) you are in charge of what you do with it. We are all afforded the right to refuse treatment in almost all circumstances. In regard to the few instances where that right may not be available to us, this is typically because we are either potentially harmful to ourselves or others. However, when everything is said and done, you are the decider of what you do with your body and your mind. If you are genuinely troubled by something, regardless of if it is a mental or physical illness. Then seeking the proper care and treatment of a qualified professional is always the best choice. But, if for some reason you do not want to go that route, or in the event you have and wish to disregard their advice. I will in no way penalize or judge you for that. I chose to go into the field I have to be available to anyone and everyone that may seek my care. I will not force it on you, but if you ever do decide that you want it. I will never turn you away when you ask.
