The Medical Consumer's Advocate

The Advocate philosophy

We expect our physicians to have superhuman intellect and divine compassion. We expect our health insurance companies to pay the bills.

In reality, even the brightest of specialists doesn't know everything about his/her own specialty, and even the most empathic of physicians can be preoccupied by his/her own personal life at times. HMOs and third party payers don't always have our best interests at heart.

These observations may seem obvious, but if we did not have these expectations, why else would we be outraged by the doctor who makes a mistake or has too brusque a bedside manner? Why do we get ulcers when our HMO or insurance company blocks access to what we and our physicians consider necessary care?

If you want to do everything in your power to optimize your medical care, then you are at the right place. We assume that you want to play an active part in all phases of your care, from diagnosis to successful treatment. This site is not for you if you prefer to have your doctor dictate your choices, or if you think the way to make a tough choice is to get a second or third opinion.

The Medical Consumer Advocate is illuminated by the following principles:

1.Doctors are not perfect.Even if you are referred to the "best" doctor, you really have no guarantee that you will receive the best care.In any case, you have not absolved yourself of responsibility over your own care. 2.The non-medical personnel that limit our health care choices (i.e., the HMO and other third party payer bureaucrats) are even less perfect than our doctors. 3.If you are able to engage your doctor in an intelligent, informed discussion regarding your symptoms, you stand a much better chance of obtaining excellent care.If your doctor is not willing to work with you but would rather dictate to you, get a new doctor. 4.Knowledge is power.To get the best care, the reader needs to know something about how medicine is practiced, and how doctors think; also, the reader needs specific information about his or her symptoms.

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Copyright (c) 2005 to 2006, Douglas Hoffman all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. Contact Dr. Hoffman at: hoffmand at northcoast dot com, but please, read this page first.