When I shared this with a friend
she felt the whole world needed to know this quick and simple way to
communicate with your doctor. Now this method only works if you are like-minded
and want your health directives to come from healthy lifestyle changes and not
by taking prescribed drugs. I have chosen this method for years and use it with
all health care officials I come in contact with.
The very first time I saw my
general physician I took with me a GREEN sharpie and a RED sharpie. After the
pleasantries were completed I asked her to close my medical folder and write on
the FRONT of it in
RED -- NO = RX.
Meaning NO prescription drugs.
And then to write in
GREEN -- YES = Lifestyle Changes. Meaning any
recommendations she planned to make should fall in this category and not of a
medication nature.
This way she would be reminded of
our communication EACH time she picked up my file. Easy and so simple and it
works every time.
I also told her I was through
slicing and dicing and intended to be a WELL INFORMED patient. I would be
asking lots and lots of questions. And should she wish any diagnostic testing
here would be the three questions she should expect.
What do you expect
to find from this test?
Is there a less
invasive test that can get similar results?
What is the cost
of the test and will YOU be paying for it?
The last one always stops them in
their tracks. But not her she is quite accustom to me now and always says she
will check or the lab should be able to tell me. My doctor and I are partners
in my wellbeing. And I believe it is their responsibility to know the cost.