Fortunately, I've rarely been a patient. But I guess I could be considered compliant. I rely on their expertise to solve my problem, so why wouldn't I follow their instructions? And grabbing the dentist's hand? Really? I might make noise or wave if I need a moment to swallow, or sneeze. I'd be afraid that I'd get stabbed or cut if I grabbed her hand.

I am mostly compliant. Why not 100%? One size doesn't fit all in medicine. It's what Precision Medicine is about-some things work better for one person than they do for another. Not even doctors can know how something will work every time for every patient. Not until it's done, taken, etc. I also am compliant when lawyers tell me what to do. Not that I need either very often. But I do have to pay large amounts of money to those two, so yes, I listen.

I comply once I've heard the reasoning behind the 'doctor's orders'. Medicine is a business, and as much an art as a science.

Dermatology is one of the least precise specialties -- according to one of the most highly respected dermatologists in the Chicago area! Still, DH and I have appointments with a dermatologist next month. We are both fair with blue eyes -- and old! He spent a lot of time in the sun in his youth and has had many biopsies and one Moh's procedure (on a benign growth). He's already bracing for the liquid nitrogen on his face!

Yes, of course. I want to get it over with as soon as possible. When I have been in the hospital, like when I had my knee replaced, I am not at all demanding and when they said get up and walk, I did. I want the best results possible, and I will do my part.

Compliant when a decision is reached on how to proceed. I will follow treatment plans to the letter. I am the patient who asks why, how and what are the alternatives if any. I need to be directly involved in my health care.

If compliant means asking no questions and simply following doctors orders without question, then I am not that patient.

Yes, of course.

When any of us has had the need, we try hard to find docs with top reputations for the condition we want care for. We have two medical schools in the greater area, neither is right down the street, but oftentimes that's where we go. We've gone to one for some things, the other for other things, and always have confidence that we're receiving knowledgeable care from experts who work with the oversight of other docs in a team setting and see more than those working on their own or just in a smaller group practice.

People who think they can assess, second guess, or pick and choose from the advice given by their docs are simply foolish. Asking questions is part of understanding. But the patient should never fool themselves into thinking their knowledge ever comes close to what a skilled physician knows. If you don't like the advice you've been given and think you know better, then you need a different doctor. And also maybe a different attitude.

Most of the time. I sprained my ankle in the first week of November, got a brace, which didn't help, went back and he put me in a boot and the brace, didn't help. By this time I've realized it's not going to get better until I quit working the floor for 12 1/2 hour shifts. 3rd time, he puts me in an unna boot, which after 8 days is causing my entire leg up to my buttock to hurt. I took it off and cancelled all my following appointments. They are $40 co-pay up front for his 2 seconds of advice. Not to mention the bill after it's processed through my insurance. I applied for a desk job, which I start next Monday. Still in the boot which helps with the pain while I'm up but is pretty bad at night when I take it off.

I see the non-compliance all the time being a nurse, even from family of patients. Patient is NPO and family brings in a cheeseburger even though they know they aren't supposed to eat. Rarely do patient follow our or the doctor's advice, which is why they are constantly being admitted back to our unit, over and over.

Ditto with what Watchmelol said.

I am that patient who is not afraid to ask questions or to challenge my doctors and the ones that I have appreciate that. Had I continued to be "compliant" with my PCP back in 1998, I would not have lived to see 1999.

When my FIL was alive, I was his primary caregiver and would accompany him to his medical appointments. Whatever the dr. said, he would do, no questions asked. I asked questions, dr. didn't like it, red flag there, so we found a different doctor. The first doctor needed a different attitude, I didn't.

Elmer -- Don't be too confident on 'oversight' in a large hospital conglomerate.

I know a man who was chief counsel for one of the largest, most reputable hospitals in Chicago. He tried all kinds of ways to get doctors' feedback on 'bad doctors'. It was part of his job to protect patients -- and protect the hospital against lawsuits. Forget it!

There's a Thin Blue Line in police work. There's a Thin White Line in medicine. (I thought he would have gotten further asking the RN's.)

I think I'm a pretty compliant patient (mainly mechanical issues so far) -- following directions and doing PT, etc. I wanted as much range of motion/strength back as possible. I think sometimes, for some folks, "compliant" and "human" are opposed. For example -- many people start their course of antibiotics, they feel better, so they stop -- rather than finish the directed course. There are usually pretty good reasons for the duration of meds like that, but ... people are human.

And well -- how many of us know we should lose weight? me! and....still not successful. Its perhaps a "softer" recommendation but still hard to follow. Was discussing heart health with my doctor, and she asked, why would you wait until there's a diagnosis of high cholesterol or heart stress, etc. before shifting to a more healthful diet? Shouldn't one eat healthfully for life? Ummm. Good question! Because french fries taste good? Maybe that's getting off topic -- but if the overall question is, "doing what we're supposed to be doing as patients" -- I'm sure for many it does include a recommendation to eat healthfully, exercise and maintain (or get to) a healthy weight. Oh, and floss your teeth and wear sunscreen.

Of course I am compliant, I have been told that doctors are among the smartest and ablest people in the western hemisphere (outside of ditch diggers).

I think one should use common sense. If you are following your doctor's order and something seems amiss especially if it involves medication, (it might be an allergy, there may have been an error or mixup) stop, and call. Don't just blindly follow orders.

It is twice as important to use some sense if you have more than one doctor, especially in a hospital where the doctors may not be aware of one another's orders, at least right away. A diabetic patient may be ordered NPO prior to surgery, but the surgeon may not check the endocrinologists medication orders which might include insulin.

Even at home, think it through and call if you sense something amiss. Don't be embarrassed at doing so, medical errors or just unexpected reactions can cause some very sick or dead patients.

chisue, I said "medical schools", not "hospital conglomerate".

The nature of the physicians'. activities and practices in one vs the other are very different. I have nothing against the large hospital operators, per se, but the nature of available services and the affiliations of the docs to one another are different from medical schools. Even true for the corporate and community hospitals that have residents but aren't directly affiliated with a medical school.

I am compliant, in most cases, but I do ask questions and insist that I am presented with my options and understand why the doctor is recommending a particular course of treatment. Like others have said, once a course of action is determined, I'm 100% on board. I do get copies of the results of all blood tests, biopsies, scans etc for my records. Also, I never take any medication without knowing exactly what it is. Twice I've had a nurse try to give me an antibiotic (ordered by the doctor) to which I'm allergic. Both times I made a pretty big stink about it, as I had provided the information in my intake questionnaires. Hello....anybody looking at the info?

My dental hygienist tells me I'm compliant - well, duh, I really don't want to see the dentist so I will do everything she tells me to do.

When I have to go to the physio I am definitely compliant. I'm usually there due to a fall through hiking or running or an overuse injury. I will do everything they tell me to do so that i can back hiking and running.

Elmer -- The man who couldn't get staff to report a fellow MD's negligence was chief counsel at Northwestern Memorial in Chicago, the teaching hospital for Northwestern Medical School. Since they now operate several more hospitals, immediate care centers, nursing homes and hospices...I thin conglomerate is a fair description.

Okay, that's a school hospital, it isn't what you said the first time. Hospital conglomerates normally refer to operations like HCA, Tenet, Sutter, etc.

Many medical schools operate group physician practices as the profession has trended toward group practices and away from individual and small partnership ones. Perhaps my comments in turn could have been more specific - I wasn't talking about seeing physicians in med school-run or affiliated group practices, I was talking about seeing faculty members. The ones who do research and/or teach students and residents/fellows.

For some reason the term 'compliant' bothers me, it's too close to submissive, unquestioning.

I'd rather say that I am a co-operative patient. I believe that we're partners in this relationship and I ask pertinent questions about my health.

Maire

I didn't have time right now to read all of the responses but I just want to pipe in and state that a lot of times a non-compliant patient is one who does not understand what to do. Health care literacy is a big topic right now, up there with patient satisfaction (don't get me going on that piece of nonsense) and many people just don't understand what their doctor tells them to do. Maybe it's due to advanced age or lack of formal education, maybe just due to being overwhelmed. There are many reasons. I am compliant when need be, but luckily am healthy and take no medications nor see a doctor on a regular basis.

I agree that many doctors lack sufficient bedside manner and explaining the procedures and the need to follow a specific course of action is sometimes not thoroughly or adequately addressed. In and out and move on to the next patient - time is money!! Many people are intimidated or feel threatened by a physician or their need to see one and don't ask enough questions........in that case, it is the doc's responsibility to make sure all is understood and the patient put at ease. That doesn't always happen.

And as far as dentists are concerned, more people fear dentists and dental procedures than any other common or routine medical procedure. I can totally relate to someone getting so upset emotionally by what was happening that they could reach out to grab tools or walk out of the office. Although I have done neither, it took me a lot of trial and error to find a dentist I felt comfortable with. Before that, going to the dentist was a trip to hell and to be avoided until it could longer be ignored.

It's a broad generalization but if more physicians had less of an ego or a God complex and spent some quality time with each individual patient to properly explain procedures and necessary follow ups and reassure them, then maybe we would ALL be 'compliant'.

I LUV my female dentist. She tells me what she sees, what she thinks needs to be done....and COOL! I had a dental assisting certificate years ago and she is just spot on. I've been to other dentists that were terrible and a few that were her equal.

I had a gyn once that lied, saying I had a condition I did not have. He admitted he wanted a BIG pay check and knew I'd find the money for surgery somehow. I'm very leery now.

Mostly compliant. We have a daughter and 2 DILs who are nurses/CRNPs so they are our go-to's for questions and for referrals if we should ever need a specialist. I ask a lot of questions about recovery expectations and about meds because I hate taking anything. So does DH. When I tore my ACL, I was the star pupil in rehab, always ahead of the curve because I did everything I was supposed to do. We really like our family physician. He is down to earth and spends time explaining things to us, and not in a condescending way. In fact I go for my yearly physical Friday. Already had the blood work and ekg.

Fortunately we are in excellent health but we both have had trips to the ER on weekends. Nothing major, but glad DD was there to have a good doc on hand to see us.

I've been told that too...my eye Dr was surprised when I said I took the eye vitamins he told me to take every day...after knee replacement surgery the nurses were telling me how I was such a good patient. I finally said "I bet you say that to everyone". She said no, we don't. I can't imagine going to get help and then not following instructions.

There is a BIG difference between "compliant" and "complacent"!!! When I started this thread, I was not referring to being "submissive" and never questioning a physician, I was referring to having a doctor one trusts and following the protocol they recommend.

When I see a new doctor for the first time, I tell them that if we're going to get along, they must respect the fact that I know this old body better than anyone - I have been living with it now for over 73 years - but I fully accept the fact that they know much more about medicine than I do. If we combine our knowledge and respect one another's knowledge, there is a good chance I will get better. I quit a pulmonologist who told me I was "overthinking" my pulmonary problems and that I just needed to find a doctor I trusted and do what he said. I reminded him I had been doing that for 6 months with him and was far sicker now than I was 6 months ago! That was the last time I ever saw him. He had the reputation of being "wonderful" when the patient was dying; I wasn't willing to go that far to see his "wonderful mode".

Many of my doctors are on the staff of our local medical school. The downside of this is that they only see clinical patients 1/2 day a week; the upside is they have a very small patient load and truly know each patient. This has served me very well.

The dermatologist told me that they now have the janitor staff bring the trash from the large waste container next to the elevators and a staff member goes through it each day. And each day, they find dozens of prescriptions that were wadded up and discarded before the patient even got on the elevator. They then contact the patient and ask if there was a problem. No, cost was rarely the reason - they just didn't like using meds. When it was cost, they made arrangements for the patient to get salesmen's samples so they could get the meds they needed.

I am very fortunate to have doctors whom I like and respect and know quite well. Two of my doctors have children who go to the same magnet public high school where my grandson goes. Very smart children! They respect me enough that they are willing for us to communicate by email. This was started when I spent a week trying to get ahold of my former pulmonologist - the girls at the front desk did not give him messages and were generally impossible. When I go there, they are usually too busy arguing about whose turn it is to go to lunch to serve the patients. Unfortunately, the doctors have no control over this hiring. So when I suggested email, my doctor said he'd never done it before but I'd be the person he'd be comfortable doing this with as I know my own body and disease very well, and am articulate. We did this very successfully until he got a HUGE job at Case Western and moved there - he was way too much of a star to stay here. But before he left, he turned my case over to another young pulmonologist for whom he had great respect, and spent a great deal of time going over my case. He also told him that we emailed and the new doctor was willing to do this, too. This works VERY well combined with such limited clinical hours.

I think that there must be many patients who never fill prescriptions for as many reasons as there are patients, and ones who never finish their meds or do anything their doctor asks of them. And I'm betting they're the first to announce loudly that "that doctor was no good!".

Interesting about the prescriptions in the garbage. As to the email thing, most health care systems correspond with their patients via email. I have a "myhealth" account where I can contact my doctor for whatever is on my mind, even if I just wanted to say hi. My Mom also has a "myherhospitalsystem" account in which I can see all of her care, be it inpatient, ER, or physician visits. Labs, xrays, and all tests can also be accessed.

I'm the best patient in the world. When they say jump, I say how high.

Although, I see 9 doctors a month & have developed relationships with all of them and like seeing them even though I know some are sick of seeing me.

I will be honest. I do take all my pills they prescribe. But I don't follow thru with their advice on exercise & nutrition. That goes in 1 ear & out the other.

Hey, I quit smoking. Baby steps for me. Rome wasn't built in a day.

I'm the best patient in the world. When they say jump, I say how high.

But I don't follow thru with their advice on exercise & nutrition. That goes in 1 ear & out the other.

You are not the best patient in the world, Scott. Exercise and proper nutrition play a major role in overall health. Following that advice is important.

Those I see proclaiming the "doctor are no good", are right here on this thread. My point--I think we all have a no good doctor story. They're human. Not gods, and they can spend too little time, not listen, make mistakes, but more often they spend enough time, do listen, and know more about a mistake an ill-informed patient is making. I think your pronouncement is based on a whim. Because what I see here are loads of people asking the right questions and doing what is best for their care. I find those on this thread articulate, thoughtful and doing what needs to be done to be considered compliant. Maybe it's because someone who doesn't comply with the suggestions and medications probably wouldn't post for fear of being bashed, but I doubt it. I am betting most here are active in their care and do what is best, most of the time.

Nothing is perfect. There is good, better, best.

Interesting about the dermatologist prescriptions going into the garbage can. Been there, done that. I've had dry, rash-prone skin my whole life. I've had too many skin doctors prescribe courses of action that didn't work the other five times we tried them, so why would they work now? It's obvious they don't know what the cause is, they don't know a cure, they just want to throw another steroid at the problem and go on to more lucrative patients. I finally connected with a medical dermatologist who has my situation under control, so yes I follow her instructions. Her prescriptions are for cheaper drugs, too, imagine that.

For other doctors, yes I am compliant but not blindly so. I'll ask questions until I understand what's going on, what I should expect, etc.

A dermatologist once told me 75% or rashes they see are a mystery to doctors. My friend's mother had a horrendous rash and her doctors kept insisting it was a dermatitis; it was her almost-retired doc who diagnosed a drug reaction. It turned out to be even more complicated but handing her a cream to put on her entire body, twice, wasn't very responsible, imo.

I'm an ok patient although my dh would probably disagree. I find a lot of the prescriptions I get are "well this might help or it might go away on it's own. You can wait and see." There have been times when I've been given antibiotics and not filled them. Not everything needs an antibiotic. Sometimes you just need to know what you've got. Doctors like to hand out pain pills too. I apparently have a very high tolerance for pain. I don't like the feeling while I'm on them and have found the side effects to be worse than the pain. I've taken just regular OTC Tylenol rather than filling the prescription. That usually does the trick for me.

Anglophillia, you must be my twin when you said "When I see a new doctor for the first time, I tell them that if we're going to get along, they must respect the fact that I know this old body better than anyone - I have been living with it now for over 73 years - but I fully accept the fact that they know much more about medicine than I do. If we combine our knowledge and respect one another's knowledge, there is a good chance I will get better." Except change your 73 to my 77. That is exactly the kind of conversation I've had with all of my doctors. Found one who didn't like that....he is NOT my doctor now. LOL

Dermatology is a safe, boring practice choice. You have scheduled appointments. Emergencies are rare. Most ailments are 'eczema' and will respond temporarily to treatment -- along with your professional assurance that it will help. Your patients don't die. They keep coming back. You will be courted by doctors to whom you refer patients for more extensive procedures.

As people live longer, there will be more time for lesions to develop. Skin cells that were damaged in youth will start to become cancers in the increasing number of people with age-compromised immune systems.

If you have a practice, though, you will have to deal with *people*. I'm adding that because one of my DH's fraternity brothers became a doctor, specializing in hematology. Then he went into research -- rather than have to deal with *patients* on a daily basis! He was/is a brilliant guy, but never 'a people person'. It was just amazing that neither he nor his instructors picked up on how ill-suited he was for a practice. (He could have just gotten a Ph.D. -- or become a surgeon! LOL)

Medical dermatology is NOT a "safe, boring practice"! It includes not just typical childhood seasonal eczema (which having had it was not "no big deal"), but various kinds of skin cancers, many of which can be at the least, disfiguring and at the worse, cause death (melanoma). And of course, there is psoriasis, which is a miserable condition to have - unsightly and uncomfortable.

My dermatologist told me this is why she chose medical dermatology. She had no interest in the cosmetic aspects - she likes solving problems for patients.

Many doctors who don't like dealing with people/patients become surgeons. Their patient contact while the patient is awake and talking, is minimal. Others, choose research.

I'm not lucky that in my old age, I have developed several health issues. But I am VERY lucky that I have a group of wonderful physicians who ALWAYS take time to talk to me, are available to me and listen to my concerns, and are very smart. The best part is since they are all on the faculty of the local med school, they actually TALK TO ONE ANOTHER about me, if needed. This was the biggest problem we had when my husband was dying of prostate cancer - the urologist, oncologist, radiologist, cardiologist, and vascular specialists, would only exchange carefully worded letters to one another (that I'm sure they had their lawyer check first!). It was very, very frustrating during what was a very stressful time for us both.

I like to tell the doctor how things are with me, and we discuss what to do: and I was spoiled a while ago because I had an old-style country doc who spent time with us, not rushing us through, and I think he was fairly wise as to what he needed to know ...

... but he retired.

One visit with new doctor, south-Indian background, we seemed to get along well in our discussion, it's my opinion that she was quite thorough in her examination.

I think that I'm easy to get along with. (Don't ask the doc for confirmation, though, O.K.?!).

Hi Scott,

I remember a saying that I've heard a number of times during my life, "You are what you eat" so I think it's important that we give our precious body good nutrition.

My body has spoiled me, over the years, as it seldom says, "Listen ... you darned old fool ... I can't DO that for you any more!" .. but not very often.

A couple of weeks ago I had a gut-ache for a while ... and wondered, "What's going on here?" ... as I haven't had a gut-ache in years.

ole joyfuelled ... which helps with the good health, too, I think

Anglophilia -- Ask around among physicians and/or medical students. Within the medical field, dermatology is safe and lucrative. I wouldn't be surprised if their insurance premiums were lower.

"Many doctors who don't like dealing with people/patients become surgeons. "

Nah, not so much. Most surgeons spend more hours in office appointments than in surgery, and they usually meet their patients before and after procedures. What you're describing is more true of pathologists and diagnostic radiologists, though these types do deal with other docs.

Med students talk about the E-ROAD specialties - emergency, radiology, ophthalmology, anesthesiology, and dermatology- as the ones that provide the best opportunities for higher levels of income (compared to primary care) AND regular hours. Not so much the others, but dermatology is one of the most competitive ones to get (highest ratio of applicants to openings) along with interventional radiology. Both are among the higher earning specialties too.

Yes, dermatology has that reputation, Chisue. Easy money, easy hours, repetitive patient problems. Relatively easy medical practice.

Anesthesiology is far from regular hours, Elmer. Emergency surgeries always need anesthesia. Many hospitals do surgery all night long, all requiring anesthesia.

Haven't you said you work two weeks on and then have two weeks off? That's pretty regular unless you get called back during your off weeks. Or sorry, maybe I misunderstood something you said along the way.

If I were to get cancer, I would do everything my dr told me to do. But for my "high" cholesterol which is .1 above normal, I refuse to take the statins she's prescribed. I will not take a drug that has more negative side effects than it's mythically approved for. Besides, in Canada the only way to check which part of my ldl is high is by seeing a heart specialist. Diet alone can lower it (which mine has). She still wants me on 5mg of Crestor. No thank you. I'll take the risk.