I have seen this behavior for a long time, here and at home: patients have this idea that seeking medical assistance or advice, is akin to shopping…a transaction so to speak, where you know what you want, you buy it, and then leave with something.
Here’s how it happens in my “shop:” the patient has a complaint, (s)he speaks with a physician, a diagnosis is formulated, and then the patient leaves with peace of mind. I suspect that the last part of the flow throws you off. Besides the fact that there is a “doctor shopping need for a second opinion culture” here, patients wish to leave the hospital with something tangible. Not a bill, or discharge instructions, but something useful. And it is MEDICATIONS!!!
Medications justify the illness, the work note, and the sick role. It’s obvious that medications are so satisfying. When needed, they cure your illness (nature is pretty good at doing this too, just not at a rate convenient for our instant gratification), and medications also tell the world that you must be sick.
And therein lies the problem.
Not all ailments require medications. Not all visits to the emergency room are needed. So, if you come to the emergency room, and are deemed (not doomed) to be without a significant illness, what medication is there for that? A glass of water maybe? We should issue a sort of anti- work note… a notice of good health.
I for one can’t give medications for illnesses that are not there. I will not give medications for ailments, which do not require medications. Why would I give something that is not necessary? Medications themselves can have unpleasant side effects.
So please understand that we are not like the mall. You don’t have to leave with “bags of goodies”. Don’t pressure us to give you something just so you can fulfill your “sick role.” Sadly, after doctor shopping, someone will give you what you want. This is poor medicine and it creates unnecessary problems.
Trust us; we have your best interests at heart. Finally, don’t go directly to the pharmacist to get that unnecessary Augmentin prescription, then get mad at ME when I tell you that it wasn’t necessary to begin with, while you suffer that allergic reaction or unrelenting diarrhea…
Why learn the hard way?
By Dr DMS
