7 Common Mistakes Patients Make

In the same vein as David Letterman's Top Ten list, I am focusing this posting on 7 common mistakes patients make when dealing with the medical system. I chose 7 instead of 10 because a) 7 is a lucky number and b) I don't think I could think of 3 more!

7. Allowing their jackets of a variety of doctor hues -- taupe, gray, brown or white or any variation thereof -- to intimidate you.

6. Not asking questions.

5. Accepting doctors' explanations that are unacceptable.

4. Allowing doctors to determine your medical fate rather than taking ownership of it.

3. Allowing a doctor to rush through your appointment.

2. Not hiring and firing doctors as needed.

1. Being passive in your medical care.


Beth L. Gainer is a professional writer and has published an essay on her breast cancer experience in the anthology Voices of Breast Cancer by LaChance Publishing. She teaches writing and literature at Robert Morris University in the Chicago area. She can be contacted at bethlgainer@gmail.com and gainercallingtheshots@gmail.com.

A Patient-Centered Bill of Rights

Too often, patients are confused by the language of various Patient's Bills of Rights because the language is often convoluted and confusing. It's hard enough to be a patient, so reading through muddling language only adds anxiety.

So, in my Fantasy World of Medical Advocacy, here's my version of what a Patient's Bill of Rights should look like:

Patient's Bill of Rights

1. You have the right to be civilly disobedient with any medical personnel who you perceive does not have your best interest at heart.

2. You have the right to hire and fire doctors at will.

3. You have the right to question treatments without a doctor being condescending to you.

4. You have the right to understand that you are on equal footing with a doctor because you are both human beings with comparable self-worth.

5. You have the right to truly collaborate with excellent doctors you trust and who truly have your best interest at heart.

6. You have the right to a voice in your own medical care.

7. You have a right to have doctors return your phone calls on a timely basis.

8. You have the right to follow your gut instinct and not allow medical people to manipulate you into ignoring it.

9. Whether you are incapacitated, in the hospital, or extremely sick, you have the right to speak up in any medical settings.

10. You have the right to choose your medical destiny to whatever extent possible.

11. You have the right not to be bullied or badgered by anyone -- from receptionist to doctor -- at any time.

12. You have the right to being treated with respect and to employ civil disobedience if you are being bullied, badgered, and disrespected in any way. In short, say "no" to thugs.