| ody"> | | | | When Their Lives Are At Stake, They're Going |
| These days we're living in what is being called the | | | | To Do The Research. |
| "information age." People are booking their own | | | | In the final analysis, doctors want to help their |
| flights from home and downloading music and | | | | patients. And, as patients become more and more |
| video from all over the world. | | | | informed, doctors and patients will become |
| Well, the "information age" applies to the world of | | | | accustomed to having educated, thoughtful |
| medicine too. Cutting-edge medical information, if | | | | conversations on the medical literature and what |
| you know how to search for it, is now only a | | | | the best treatment options might be. |
| click away as you sit in front of your computer. | | | | This doesn't mean however that there will be |
| But, medicine is an intimidating arena and the | | | | never be a conflict between what the patient |
| stakes are incredibly high. Plus, the relationship | | | | wants and what the doctor is recommending. |
| between patient and doctor has traditionally been | | | | For example, there might be a new surgical |
| based on a high degree of trust. | | | | procedure which is being used in the treatment of |
| What I'm saying is that I think that it's | | | | certain cancers. There may be recent published |
| uncomfortable for most people to aggressively | | | | studies suggesting that the new procedure might |
| question their doctors. Because of this discomfort, | | | | result in fewer side effects or a quicker recovery |
| patients may not feel as inclined to do their own | | | | time while having the same cure rate. |
| research. They fear that they might upset their | | | | But, it's possible that this procedure is only being |
| doctor if they walk into the medical office with | | | | done by a few surgeons in your area as it's new |
| research they've done themselves. | | | | and takes some specialized training. |
| But, in my opinion, this unprecedented access to | | | | You might discuss this with your doctor who |
| medical information will ultimately lead to | | | | admits that he or she does not perform the new |
| revolutionary changes in the way patients and | | | | procedure. |
| doctors interact. | | | | At that point, you may have to make a decision |
| I learned first-hand a few short years ago that | | | | about whether or not investigating the new |
| researching an illness on the internet can be a | | | | procedure is really worthwhile. |
| daunting task. | | | | The most common sense approach to this |
| A close family friend was diagnosed with breast | | | | dilemma would be to consult with a physician |
| cancer and asked me to do some research. Even | | | | specializing in the new procedure as well. |
| though I was an emergency physician at a | | | | Imagine That You're An Investigative Detective |
| university hospital, I quickly learned that using the | | | | Ask straightforward but tough questions to all |
| internet to get the most current information on | | | | your doctors including questions about their |
| published studies, new treatments, and clinical trials | | | | results, their experience level, side effects of any |
| was not as easy a task as I had thought. | | | | proposed treatments, and the published data. |
| Ultimately I figured out how to navigate the | | | | You may want to ask if you may speak to other |
| "medical internet jungle". I found the information I | | | | patients that have already undergone treatment |
| needed and learned a lot along the way. | | | | by these doctors. If you are able to do this, ask |
| If you plan to research cutting-edge medical | | | | these patients how they decided on a particular |
| information on the internet, you'll need to find | | | | treatment or even a particular doctor. Ask them |
| your own smart way. | | | | how they're doing. |
| In the end, after gathering all the information, | | | | Continue investigating until you feel you have all |
| you'll become an informed patient. | | | | the information you need to make your decision. |
| And There Are Lots Of Benefits In Being An | | | | Many pieces of information may come up in your |
| Informed Patient | | | | research. For example, there might be certain |
| Some of the benefits are obvious. Like making | | | | technological advances being used in certain |
| sure that your doctor is aware of all potential | | | | centers which help in the accurate staging and |
| cutting-edge treatments and available clinical trials. | | | | planning of treatment. Maybe the center that |
| You need to know that "no stone has been left | | | | you're being treated at doesn't offer these |
| unturned" in the search for your best treatment | | | | services and your research has led you to believe |
| option. | | | | that there is benefit to them. |
| Knowing that you're receiving state-of-the-art | | | | Again, you may have to make a decision about |
| care should be an enormous comfort to you. | | | | where you want to be treated. |
| But there are other benefits as well. | | | | Or, your doctor may recommend a treatment |
| An informed and involved patient becomes a | | | | regimen to you and not mention that there are |
| partner in his or her health care. | | | | clinical trials which may be available. Or, he or she |
| Too often a lack of real understanding leads | | | | might recommend a certain clinical trial without |
| patients to stop, skip, or otherwise not fully | | | | mentioning that there are other clinical trials taking |
| comply with their treatment. But, an informed and | | | | place at other medical centers. |
| involved patient is much more likely to follow | | | | As you do your own research, you need to be |
| through with all the aspects of a treatment | | | | very aware that the cutting-edge treatments |
| regimen. | | | | may not be offered everywhere. |
| In the end, it just makes good sense to be as | | | | Frank discussions with your doctors may be |
| informed as possible. | | | | unavoidable. But, it's very important for you to |
| There's A Critical Second Part Of The Process | | | | remember that you're dealing with a serious illness |
| This second part involves talking to your doctors | | | | and the most important thing is that you get the |
| about the cutting-edge treatment options you've | | | | best possible care. |
| discovered in your research. | | | | Don't Allow Your Fear Of Creating Conflict With |
| This is the part of the process that I believe | | | | Your Doctor Stop You From Aggressively |
| frightens patients the most. Let me restate here | | | | Pursuing The Best Possible Care. |
| what I believe will take place in the interactions | | | | The conversations you'll have with your doctors |
| between doctors and patients. | | | | will ultimately become quite different. Being aware |
| Just as patients will get more and more used to | | | | of all the options allows you, if you choose, to |
| questioning their doctors in the next few years, | | | | take more responsibility for the decisions that |
| doctors will get more and more used to being | | | | have to be made. |
| questioned by their patients. | | | | Ultimately, in today's rapidly changing universe, |
| Patients Can Now Access The Latest Medical | | | | patients are taking on more of the responsibility |
| Information. | | | | for making treatment decisions. |