HaLeiVi, Not at all, it is very important for people to share their experience so others can learn to advocate for themselves and learn to ask questions. The doctor/patient relationship is not as it used to be when doctors actually had the time to sit and talk with the patient and give information. Today, if the patient or family member doesn’t ask, the doctor doesn’t tell or assumes that they understand or will look it up. They just don’t have the time to give each patient because they are limited by the amount of patients they need to see in a day. Everything is controlled by the insurance companies. Patients are made to feel “tiny” and almost on a conveyor belt system. Move them in and out quickly so we can be efficient. Find the answers and get the patient out of the bed because the insurance won’t pay for the hospital stay. Don’t call in specialists unless it is an emergency because the insurance companies are going to dock the doc for spending/wasting insurance money on unnecessary expenditures and test.
We are not trying to fault anyone, neither the patient or the doctor. Doctors can be wrong, no doubt about it, they are only human and they do make mistakes. So we need to understand that, they are NOT G-d, they are only human and we need to be aware and take our own responsibility seriously. We are as much accountable for our health as the health care providers we choose. We can’t choose what nisyonos Hashem sends our way, we can’t choose what illnesses befall us, but we can choose who we trust with our care. And we can control the questions we ask. As with everything else we have to be a smart and educated consumer and not just be lead blindly, ask questions and then choose wisely. Everyone has the same right and the same availability to call the organizations set up to give referrals and ask questions of them. They did their homework and legwork already for you.
And if we are NOT comfortable with the treatment we don’t risk our health or the health of our family members we get a second opinion or choose another option. We don’t just sit meekly by and deteriorate only to blame the doctor later. The doctor sees many patients and tries his/her best to give the best care to many at one time. But you or your loved one are the only sick person that you are dealing with at one time and you have to take your responsibility seriously as well. It is NOT a matter of fault or blame, too late is too late. Be smart and learn how to be your own best advocate.