PATIENT PROBLEMS VS DOCTORS ADVICE How many times have we heard this? Doctor, my pain is still there. Doctor, you gave me medicines, but I am still having the same problem. Do not go to that doctor, he did not cure me of my illness. All these and more are from people who are suffering from some health problem or the other. This puts everyone down and as far as the near and dear ones are concerned, that particular doctor will not cure any problem. Being closely associated with both doctors and patients for over two decades, I have heard of such comments often. Initially I used to be confused and later I started enquiring from the patients myself as to when did the problem start? What did the doctor prescribe? How many days did you follow his advice, etc? I was shocked at their ignorance and simplicity. What I found out was:
They discontinued the medicines after a few days
Exercises were not done correctly or discontinued
Diet was not followed as suggested
No follow up with the doctor was done
They had followed the orders of multiple doctors (And relatives and friends who are not doctors but are like doctors - people who know everything)
Many more interesting things
One lady even told me "I spent so much on my surgery two years ago, but I still have pain. Money wasted" On further discussion, I realized that the surgery she had undergone was gall bladder removal, and the pain she was referring to was knee pain (her stomach problem was cured). She was 65 years old. I did not know how to explain the difference to her. Poor lady was so naive. Medical profession is the only profession where humans deal with humans. There is a lot of hard work, dedication, sacrifice, persistence and suffering involved before a doctor is