Speak up! 3 ways to stop Doctors from blowing off your concerns

#patient #healthtips #doctors

These 3 tips will give you the confidence to speak up to doctors when you are blown off. You need to advocate for your health to get the best healing possible!

0:00 - Intro
0:20 - Betrayal of trust
1:05 - No. 1: how to respectfully call out a surgeon
4:13 - No. 2: pen & paper
6:09 - Slow the resentment train down
8:05 - No. 3: call out the anxiety-frustration loop

Navigating the healthcare system can sometimes feel like walking through a maze. Ever felt like your concerns were brushed aside during a doctor's visit? If so, you're not alone. This video offers insight and practical strategies to ensure that you are heard, understood, and valued during your medical consultations.

First and foremost, it's important to understand that when doctors seem dismissive, it’s rarely due to a lack of concern or empathy. While there might be a handful of arrogant or narcissistic professionals out there, the vast majority of physicians are in this field because they genuinely want to help. Unfortunately, the current healthcare system, largely influenced by insurance company guidelines, places immense time constraints on these professionals, making it challenging for them to dedicate extended periods to individual patients.

That said, it's crucial for patients to not lose hope. Instead, we should focus on maximizing our interactions with our doctors. This video will delve into three essential strategies to help you get the most out of your doctor's appointments:

Being Truthful with Your Doctor: Honesty is the foundation of any relationship. By providing clear, concise information about your symptoms and concerns, you allow your doctor to make better-informed decisions, ensuring you receive the care you need.

Carrying a Notepad and Pen: This simple tool can make a world of difference. By taking diligent notes during your appointment, you not only retain crucial information but also demonstrate to your doctor that you are deeply invested in your health. It subtly communicates that you value their expertise and are an active participant in your care.

Managing Anxiety & Frustration: Feelings of anxiety are natural, especially when discussing health concerns. However, it's essential to recognize when these feelings shift into frustration, as this can strain the patient-physician relationship. By acknowledging and managing these emotions, you create a more collaborative and productive environment.

In a world where time often feels limited, especially in medical settings, every moment you spend with your doctor is precious. Empower yourself with these strategies to ensure that your concerns are addressed and your needs met. Remember, you and your doctor are partners in your healthcare journey. By fostering open, respectful, and effective communication, you can work together to achieve the best outcomes.

Watch on to learn more about these strategies, real-life examples, and tips to improve your communication skills with healthcare professionals. If you find this video beneficial, please like, share, and subscribe for more health-related content.

This video/speech/channel DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL ADVICE. Patients with medical concerns should contact their physician. If your concern is an emergency, immediately call 911. This information is not a recommendation for ANY THERAPY. Some substances referenced in this content may be illegal, and this content is not a recommendation for, or endorsement of, their use in any way.

[lyndalovesraccoons]

Have you ever considered teaching? We, the people, NEED MORE drs with YOUR mindset. ...

[blackorchid]

Went to my doctor with a continuously high pulse rate ... I was told it was most likely anxiety or stress ... this continued for a few months until he decided to put me on a Holter Monitor ... showed a few minor “incidents” ... still most likely “stress related” ... cardiologist felt the same thing but sent me for other tests ... long story short ... nearly 12 months later it was discovered that my “anxiety and stress” was a blockage in my heart which needed open heart surgery ... the drugs I now have to take are causing some debilitating side effects and keeping me housebound ... but again ... “anxiety, stress and mood” are the cause ... it is so easy for a lot of doctors to dismiss a woman’s health issues as depression and think anti-depressants will solve the problem ... I wish all those who read this health and happiness.

[gabrielsaad]

Dr K, I think Medical schools should include your videos in their curriculum.

[BanditLeader]

Lots of patients feel like "an object that needs to be fixed" and not "a person that needs help", which is leads to higher stress, anxiety, and distrust

[mudshovel]

"maybe you're a woman." thanks for acknowledging that we are more frequently blown off than men. it's tough out here.

[melanierandolph]

You are such a kind man. Wish there were more doctors like you.

[MandM-Fish]

Doctors ignoring women is not limited to gyn issues. It can be anything and everything. I’ve talked with many female fibromyalgia patients who have complained about the medical community across the board blowing off their concerns.

[bethwaller]

Every single major issue I have had, I have had to diagnose myself. If I leave it up to the physician, I end up paying through the nose for endless tests before they finally decide that I was right to begin with. I was a Corpsman in the Navy and an EMT and, still, they don't believe what I tell them.

[CoastieCastaways]

I have complained about being out of breath for 2 years and couldn’t even lay down to sleep. I have also commented about my high blood pressure. I have horrible family history on both sides of family. My dad and brother both died at age 50. I finally took control and saw a cardiologist on my own and had a 80% blockage in LAD and another 50%, 30%, 30%. I got a stent on Tuesday because I finally stood up for myself because I knew something was wrong.

[erincecilliadyer]

My cardiologist asked why I was taking notes and he said that people take notes all the time but never look at them. I explained that I’m aSpeech Therapist with 42 years experience working with children with memory and I have memory issues. At 5he end of 5he session, he grabbed my notebook and asked me what .I leaned. So I told him. The next week, I gave him his own Stenography Pad. The note I wrote in it pointed out that this was for him to use with future patients who have memory problems just like me.

[mmsdecorator]

I just transferred to a different doctor this week because my doctor kept blowing me off. I tried to keep speaking up respectfully and even took a family member with me to my last appointment, but he minimized my symptoms. I meet with my new doctor in two weeks, and I’m hoping this one will listen to my symptoms without acting irritated when I share symptoms or concerns. Some doctors are not going to change, no matter how much evidence you share or how much you try to talk about the care plan. This doctor is planning to retire soon, and acts like he’s already stopped caring. He shouldn’t be working with cancer patients.

[herahagstoz]

Respect and empathy are truly the first requirements for healing.

[pattiemoseley]

I have called out several Dr's and they completely resented it. One actually asked me to find another Dr

[dbullemer]

29 years ago, when I was pregnant with my daughter, I consistently brought up concerns about my daughter's movements. I even brought my mother to one of my appointments for support. My OB completely blew me off every time. I think he tried to chuck it up to it being my first pregnancy. About 2 weeks before her due date she stopped moving altogether. His nurse even said by looking at my fetal kick counts, she didn't think anything was wrong. But she sent me to the hospital anyway just to be sure. Long story short, they took her by emergency C-section the next day because she was in distress. She had had a stroke!

Today she's a beautiful 29 year old lady who is an extremely high functioning epileptic.

Please stand up for yourself! I now know that if I had done so, my daughter might not have the physical problems she has today.

[ameliahenderson]

Also, don’t be afraid to become a patient of a newly trained doctor fresh out of residency. You may feel that they aren’t as experienced, but I found that with my new gynecologist, she is fresh, energetic and absolutely took her time with me and really listened. I had a bad experience with a more experienced doctor and was forced to find another. I am so happy. ❤

[mcrchickenluvr]

As a woman who’s fought to get my hysterectomy, I appreciate you saying something about us being ignored. I’ve had fibroids for several years. I’ve had painful, heavy periods since I was about 13. I wanted to get a hysterectomy a long time ago but not doctor would do it. They said I was too young and that I’d regret it later. Like I’d regret being in pain and vomiting for 2 days straight every month. My last OB finally listened to me but my insurance wouldn’t. All they’d cover was a myomectomy. Even though she told them that the chances of them growing back was high. Now that they have grown back they finally decided to cover it. My last OB sent me to another doctor who specializes in robotic gynecological surgery because she felt I’d be better off. I’m grateful that I finally found doctors who would listen. But it shouldn’t have taken nearly 10 years to do so. Even my current OB is upset with my last doctors and insurance. He said that I should’ve had this done 10+ years ago.

[luzangel]

"As a female with spinal issues since a car accident as passenger at 16, 61 today, I speak up assertively with an advocate mindset and have had no problem firing a doctor that chooses to ignore my awareness of my body and mind. Emotional does not mean ignorant. It means pain and consequences of multiple health challenges affecting my abity to trust, therefor, relax. Respwctvis mutual, and being challenged by not being seen or heard by those who swore to help... disheartening!
It's not easy starting all over with someone new hoping for better... but better is worth the effort if circumstances allow it! Gracias doctor. . for givin us women an 'I SEE YOU... I HEAR YOU heart!" Bless you! 🧡😇

[malomama]

When i was sick years ago, i had a doctor who refused to take a family medical history n i tried saying how worried i was about having cancer myself. She replied back n said if i had cancer i would have already been dead from it. Thats something nobody wants to hear. The irony is i found another doctor who gave me a diagnosis on my second appointment--- and it was uterine cancer. Sad i went to the other dr for 18 months and got brushed off - but doctor #2 nailed it right away

[FartherReach]

Thanks for your advice. I recently had to set limits on an aggressive, narcissistic psychiatrist who seemed unable to listen. I told her that her anxiety was interfering with her ability to be helpful. I found this psychiatrist's dictatorial manner to be so potentially toxic that I reported her to the state medical board. Psychiatric patients can be especially vulnerable to mistreatment by sometimes well-meaning, sometimes oblivious health care workers with personal problems, especially under the constraints of managed care. Your recommendations are extremely helpful in this regard.

[moviemakerwannabe]

There are doctors that shouldn't be doctors, because they don't listen or they do blow you off. I was sent to my Gyn because of pain in that region. After he examined me he said "there is no MEDICAL reason for your pain". after few months passed with chronic symptoms I went to the ER. Again same kind of deal, the doctor said to my husband "if she was a cow what would you think was wrong with her?" My husband was a farmer. Then the Dr told me to go home I was just a nervous person. I went home and nearly died with a ruptured appendix. The Dr never even did a blood test while I was in the ER. Honestly I've run into more doctors that treated me like that, dismissive or not really listening, than the other kind.