These days we're living in what is being called the "information age." People are booking their own flights from home and downloading music and video from all over the world.
Well, the "information age" applies to the world of medicine too. Cutting-edge medical information, if you know how to search for it, is now only a click away as you sit in front of your computer.
But, medicine is an intimidating arena and the stakes are incredibly high. Plus, the relationship between patient and doctor has traditionally been based on a high degree of trust.
What I'm saying is that I think that it's uncomfortable for most people to aggressively question their doctors. Because of this discomfort, patients may not feel as inclined to do their own research. They fear that they might upset their doctor if they walk into the medical office with research they've done themselves.
But, in my opinion, this unprecedented access to medical information will ultimately lead to revolutionary changes in the way patients and doctors interact.
I learned first-hand a few short years ago that researching an illness on the internet can be a daunting task.
A close family friend was diagnosed with breast cancer and asked me to do some research. Even though I was an emergency physician at a university hospital, I quickly learned that using the internet to get the most current information on published studies, new treatments, and clinical trials was not as easy a task as I had thought.
Ultimately I figured out how to navigate the "medical internet jungle". I found the information I needed and learned a lot along the way.
If you plan to research cutting-edge medical information on the internet, you'll need to find your own smart way.
In the end, after gathering all the information, you'll become an informed patient.
And There Are Lots Of Benefits In Being An Informed Patient
Some of the benefits are obvious. Like making sure that your doctor is aware of all potential cutting-edge treatments and available clinical trials. You need to know that "no stone has been left unturned" in the search for your best treatment option.
Knowing that you're receiving state-of-the-art care should be an enormous comfort to you.
But there are other benefits as well.
An informed and involved patient becomes a partner in his or her health care.
Too often a lack of real understanding leads patients to stop, skip, or otherwise not fully comply with their treatment. But, an informed and involved patient is much more likely to follow through with all the aspects of a treatment regimen.
In the end, it just makes good sense to be as informed as possible.
There's A Critical Second Part Of The Process
This second part involves talking to your doctors about the cutting-edge treatment options you've discovered in your research.
This is the part of the process that I believe frightens patients the most. Let me restate here what I believe will take place in the interactions between doctors and patients.
Just as patients will get more and more used to questioning their doctors in the next few years, doctors will get more and more used to being questioned by their patients.
Patients Can Now Access The Latest Medical Information.
When Their Lives Are At Stake, They're Going To Do The Research.
In the final analysis, doctors want to help their patients. And, as patients become more and more informed, doctors and patients will become accustomed to having educated, thoughtful conversations on the medical literature and what the best treatment options might be.
This doesn't mean however that there will be never be a conflict between what the patient wants and what the doctor is recommending.
For example, there might be a new surgical procedure which is being used in the treatment of certain cancers. There may be recent published studies suggesting that the new procedure might result in fewer side effects or a quicker recovery time while having the same cure rate.
But, it's possible that this procedure is only being done by a few surgeons in your area as it's new and takes some specialized training.
You might discuss this with your doctor who admits that he or she does not perform the new procedure.
At that point, you may have to make a decision about whether or not investigating the new procedure is really worthwhile.
The most common sense approach to this dilemma would be to consult with a physician specializing in the new procedure as well.
Imagine That You're An Investigative Detective
Ask straightforward but tough questions to all your doctors including questions about their results, their experience level, side effects of any proposed treatments, and the published data.
You may want to ask if you may speak to other patients that have already undergone treatment by these doctors. If you are able to do this, ask these patients how they decided on a particular treatment or even a particular doctor. Ask them how they're doing.
Continue investigating until you feel you have all the information you need to make your decision.
Many pieces of information may come up in your research. For example, there might be certain technological advances being used in certain centers which help in the accurate staging and planning of treatment. Maybe the center that you're being treated at doesn't offer these services and your research has led you to believe that there is benefit to them.
Again, you may have to make a decision about where you want to be treated.
Or, your doctor may recommend a treatment regimen to you and not mention that there are clinical trials which may be available. Or, he or she might recommend a certain clinical trial without mentioning that there are other clinical trials taking place at other medical centers.
As you do your own research, you need to be very aware that the cutting-edge treatments may not be offered everywhere.
Frank discussions with your doctors may be unavoidable. But, it's very important for you to remember that you're dealing with a serious illness and the most important thing is that you get the best possible care.
Don't Allow Your Fear Of Creating Conflict With Your Doctor Stop You From Aggressively Pursuing The Best Possible Care.
The conversations you'll have with your doctors will ultimately become quite different. Being aware of all the options allows you, if you choose, to take more responsibility for the decisions that have to be made.
Ultimately, in today's rapidly changing universe, patients are taking on more of the responsibility for making treatment decisions.
Dr. Glenn Sheiner is a medical doctor with diplomas in Emergency Medicine, Sports Medicine, and Family Medicine. Dr. Sheiner is the author of the medical multimedia digital product called Cancer Research Online Made Easy.
Dr. Sheiner created this product to help patients research cutting-edge medical information in hours not days. The product contains 5 videos illustrating exactly what to do. To learn more go to Cancer Research Online Made Easy
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