Have you seen the news about medical error being the third leading cause of death in the US? Think about that for a minute! One of the leading causes of death in the US is from doctor error. How does that knowledge make you feel about your doctors? Do a quick on-line search if you haven’t seen the news. The article was published in the BMJ, and news articles have been published all over the place.
This news is scary for patients, and it’s scary for doctors. If you are a patient (and most of us have been, currently are, or will be in the foreseeable future) then trust in your doctor might be severely compromised knowing this information. If you are a doctor then this information is harsh, and likely wounding at the core of what made you become a doctor. Doctors typically have a calling to help and to heal, but imagine how you would feel with this information.
So why am I posting this blog? If you read my blog, then you are likely already using a nutritional approach for your own wellness, or are interested in using a nutritional approach. FOOD IS MEDICINE! And what’s even better news is that good quality food can’t do harm and it can’t cause death (unless maybe you choke on it). A nutrient-dense diet the is customized for your health condition has no risks.
Doctors have a vital and important role in our society, but they are also overworked, rely on pharmaceuticals that have risks associated with them, and they are also human, and as humans we all make mistakes sometimes.
So how do we move forward with this new information?
1. You are your strongest advocate. Question your doctor and make sure that the recommendations made are right for you. Don’t be afraid to say no to recommended treatment and tell your doctor you want time to think about it.
2. Do your own research. If you are reading my blog, you are educating yourself. Keep it up! Dig deeper!
3. Change doctors. If you feel that your doctor isn’t listening to you, or isn’t responding to your concerns, then find another doctor who will. There are a lot of good doctors out there. Ask friends and family for recommendations.
4. If you are in a life-threatening situation, trust the doctor! If something has taken you to the emergency room, then this is not the time to question the doctor’s decisions.
I’d like to hear your thoughts and concerns. What are you thinking after hearing this information?