After 6 years at Lumenos, I thought I knew how to be a good consumer of health care. I've paid attention to costs, used online tools to get health information, paid close attention to my own health behaviors, and actively engaged with my son's pediatrician's in the diagnosis and treatment of his asthma. Despite that, I had an experience last week which reminded me that sometimes being a consumer -- in health care -- takes a little bit of effort.
I was seeing a new provider for a non-serious respiratory issue. While he was polite and professional, I had trouble getting him to explain what he meant by "sounds fine" or "nothing major." When I asked about treatment, he produced a sample of a drug I had not heard of, handed it to me to take and reached for the door. Pointing to the prescription on the counter he just said - "if things don't improve in a week, just come back in." I didn't ask the questions I wanted to ask, and was left feeling uncertain about my diagnosis and uncomfortable with the prescribed treatment.
But then I remembered that I could still be a consumer even after I left the room. I went home, researched the drug prescribed, and read more about the diagnosis. Armed with this new information I called the provider and informed him that I just wasn't comfortable with the drug prescribed (too new to the market, too expensive and too many headlines). The provider was supportive and took the opportunity to answer my questions and revise the prescription recommendation.
The lesson for me: it sometimes takes an effort to be a good consumer, but it's always a worthwhile effort because it can produce a better and more comfortable outcome.