Is It OK to Fire My Health Professional?
A short time ago, I saw a foot specialist who, by all accounts, was well-versed in all aspects of podiatry pertaining to rheumatoid issues, and also had a particular interest in scleroderma. As my feet had been in agony because of loss of fat in the pads (common in scleroderma), I was pretty excited to find someone who would be able to give things a jolly good examination and, hopefully, provide some relief.
About five minutes into the appointment, it was obvious that things were not going well. I was met with a rather arrogant attitude and she seemed certain she knew my issues before I had even explained them. This, together with a determination to go ahead with treatment before taking anything associated with scleroderma into account, and a strange patronizing way of talking to me, not only made me feel uncomfortable, but also rather shocked and a bit ambushed. She didn’t even examine my feet, and when I asked her to, she assured me with platitudes that she didn’t need to and knew exactly what she was doing.
I was left feeling confused and unsure of myself. Surely she was the best health professional I could have chosen? After all, she was the only arthritic foot specialist in town, and had professed to have an interest in scleroderma. I started to doubt myself and wondered if I had any right to question such a well-qualified professional. But I couldn’t ignore a nagging feeling that this wasn’t OK.
A short time later, I had a review visit to my cardiologist who manages my microvascular cardiac issues. As he explained in his up-front and caring manner, my case is complicated and unusual. Not once did he question my experience of my cardiac symptoms, and despite being extremely experienced and well-qualified, he assured me he is very happy to read any information I have to offer him that he may not have come across. He told me he regards me as the expert on myself because I live with my disease. His lack of arrogance and openness invited me to meet him at the same level and to work in a collaborative manner.
When reflecting on my visit with him later that day, the light bulb went on! I had just experienced a visit with my cardiologist that went exactly as a medical professional should conduct himself — working together, neither party taking an authoritative role. Of course I was right to listen to my gut feeling after dealing with the foot specialist, and of course I have the right to question her treatment of me based on that.
If I choose a specialist who views herself in an authoritative “holier than thou” manner, then arrogance and patronization is what I will receive in return.
Did I end up “firing” my foot specialist? No, I didn’t. Because firing her would have meant that I was then in the role of the boss, and was simply mimicking her mistake.
I decided to explain to her that I thought we weren’t a good fit, and rather than “fire” her, leave her to her practice, give myself permission to walk away from a situation that was unhelpful to me, and find another professional with the same qualities my cardiologist offers.
Interestingly enough, despite not being a “rheumatoid foot specialist” with an interest in scleroderma, my new podiatrist simply listened to me, asked questions about scleroderma, did some research and has ended up helping me far more than the initial specialist did.
My lesson from all of this has been that when it comes to my choice in health professionals, it is important to claim my right to choose or change if they don’t feel right. I now stand confident in my ability to determine which health professional is going to work for me.
Clearly a level of expertise in a particular medical field is required, but unquestionably, this must be paired with a genuinely kind and open nature and a willingness to embrace that they are not in the role of God.
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Note: Scleroderma News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Scleroderma News, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to scleroderma.
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Comments
Sandy Austin
Hi Kim,
I totally believe all patients have the right to "fire" a physician. With scleroderma lung involvement and the development of PAH, the first time I entered the hospital for fluid overload and had to have intense lasix therapy, my pulmonologist came in ....a day later. I asked him, is this what I have to look forward to , his comment, 'Well you've beaten the odds", and basically said,not much else can be done. I told him to return that evening and tell my husband that! That night, we told him his services were no longer needed. I then pursued a pulmonary critical care specialist that many folks spoke highly of. He has turned out to be a lifesaver using all the new meds and techniques. As smart as he is,he has always been humble, listened to me,looked at any research etc. There are great MDs out there.
Joan Reilly
I have been fired once and fired one specialist, myself. no words were exchanged: A letter in the prior, and a cursory phone call in the 2nd example. Fire and be fired in the way most comfortable for yourself.
Depending on your circumstances, perhaps length of relationship, surgery, malpractice suit, it is, otherwise not necessarily a difficulty, nor will it be a scornful retort from your doctor. Immune disease symptoms are difficult to fit into a fixed diagnosis: Not clear and concise; pieces of the puzzle missing, context obscure. My quest for the doctor you are both describing, is heading into the patient- doctor realm of my fifth rheumatologist's examining room in October. Expectations? I can hope. Prepared with medical summaries and current labs? I'm including labs 25 years old that reflect the current labs and aged pertinent medical summaries that concur symptoms that are changing and re-emerging. Not striking, nor life threatening, but significant. Firing is a right we can exercise. I'm older, I don't have time nor energy to waste on wringing my hands over whether to, or whether not, to fire. If there's no entanglement and you're dissatisfied, I would encourage it.
1 girl's opinion