Medical Decisions

Every patient has the right to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. It is the physicians' job to inform the patient of all possible options and risks regarding the patients care but it is ultimately the patients' decision.

I know of a couple that was going through a very tough pregnancy. After days and days of testing the physician informed the couple that there was a good chance that their baby would be born with severe defects. He also suggested to the couple that they terminate the pregnancy. The couple researched the condition and ultimately decided to carry the pregnancy to term. When the baby was born he had only mild health conditions and he is now a healthy, happy two year old.

Physicians have many years of schooling and experience that they draw off of to make their decisions or diagnoses. Their opinions and thoughts are highly regarded. However it is ultimately you and me, the patients that have the final say in our medical treatment. The doctors can give us the ratios, consequences and options but we are the ones that know or at least think we know what we want to do for our well being. There has been an instance or two when I have been in a waiting room and overheard a disgruntled patient stating that their doctor didn't know what he was talking about and that they knew exactly what was wrong with them selves. I then wondered to myself how many years of medical school had that patient had? None of course and that is the problem. We can only make decisions regarding our care based on the information that our doctor gives us. So we as patients have a responsibility to ourselves to listen to what the doctor tells us but to also take part in our own medical care so that we can make the necessary medical decisions to keep ourselves healthy and happy.