The line from a physician, “What do you expect, you’re 75>” -- or 79 -- or 84 or --- is not just an innocent joke punch line. It may well reflect an ageist attitude on the part of the provider.
Ageism is alive and well within the medical field as evidence by research and all-too-common anecdotal accounts. The current issue of The AARP Magazine has an article entitled, “Signs it might be time to find a new doctor.”
The author reflects that many times older adults are hesitant to “fire” their doctor because of the respect that generation has for positions of authority and expertise. We are reminded that the doctor works for us.
Along with suggestions on how to leave your doctor graciously and respectfully, the following checklist is offered.
It’s good information for any of us personally and for those of us who care for older adults, including supervising medical care, or accompanying them on visits to their physician.
1. There needs to be “chemistry” and mutual respect between you and your physician. If there is no, “there’s an issue.
2. If a younger person accompanies you, does the physician address his/her remarks to “that person rather than you?
3. Does the physician dismiss every complaint, blaming age instead of considering other causes?
4. Does the physician insist that nothing can be done?
5. Does the physician write a prescription for medication without a thorough discussion, or without a workup to determine the need/efficacy of the prescription?
6. Does the physician describe a variety of medications and procedures, or keeps referring you to more specialists without your seeing any improvement?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment