A Physician's 10 Commandments

The Holy Bible's Ten Commandments were given by God to Moses, so he could teach them to the human race and they would be able to live better lives. It is the first and most basic moral code for us - mere mortals.

So, here I am. A sometimes not-so-patient patient, looking for the perfect doctor. As someone who is chronically ill, what compass do I want my new doctor to follow? It's not so hard. Let's see if I can sum the basics up in 10 easy points:

#1 Thou shalt have no other patients before me. When you are in my room, concentrate on me. Thou shalt spend whatever time is necessary to complete the task at hand. Thou shalt have focus. For this precious few moments, treat me thus - as if I am your only patient. Read my history with care, and ask questions about it. Do not interrupt me. Respect me and understand that I am the expert of my body. Use that to our advantage for best results. Thou shalt keep in good contact with me. Be timely in sending records, ordering labs and giving results, and replying to messages, for my time shalt be valuable also.

#2 Thou shalt not create in your mind, the version of the patient you'd like to see, but be content with the patient that is before you - flaws and all. Thou shalt check thy ego at the door, for thou art human. I am human. You shall know thy textbooks, but I shall know my body and my symptoms and my disease, for it never leaves me. I will listen to you, so you shall listen to me and we shall conquer. For we can be a team - I'm willing, but thou must be willing also. Together we can be extraordinary!

#3 Thou shalt not speak of me or my situation in a derogatory manner. Thou may think it amusing. Thou may think it relieves stress, but in doing thus thou hast created a negative atmosphere toward me, my family, and my condition. Yea - every time thou speaks ill of a patient no matter the reason, thou shalt ingrain those negative feelings in thy mind and those minds of the staff with which you work. Surely this shall show in thy attitude and the attitudes of thy staff. Verily, it also will be heard by other patients and their families and thy staff, who will wonder what you are saying behind their backs as well. Beware, as stress and distrust is created thusly. In the words of Bambi's mother: "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

#4 Thou shalt be available to patients by providing them staff available to help them, as well as the most up to date, easily accessible methods of communication possible, so when thee must take necessary and healthy time for thy well being and that of thy family, thy patients will not be left by the roadside - sick, hurting, scared and confused.

#5 Thou shalt keep up to date in thy field of expertise. Thou shalt set aside time to read thy journals and attend continuing education so thou shant order antiquated lab tests or prescribe outdated medication protocols. Because thou art observing Commandment #4 this shall be easy. Thou shalt acknowledge that the availability of information online means thy patients will try to be proactive and bring thee journal articles or ideas about their treatment/disease of which thee may not be familiar, and thee shall practice due diligence in reviewing material thusly before tossing it in the trash or breaking Commandment #3.

#6 Thou shalt always do thy very best for each and every patient, even if that means making late night calls or extra time researching a condition, or scheduling fewer appointments for the day so thy patients receive the very best thee can offer them. Thou shall treat based on how thy patient feels, seeking more clues when the labs seem "normal", remembering there is a difference between designated "normals" and thy patient's optimal. Thou shalt give carefully researched and timely referrals when necessary. Thou shalt at all times remember that "do no harm" applies to the patient's mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

#7 Thou shalt not use cookbook medicine. Thou shalt glean new ideas and patient care by discussing with others, including physicians of thy specialty and outside thy specialty, pharmacists, psychologists, caretakers, etc. Thou wilt base thy treatments and diagnosis based on what the patient feels and desires.

#8 Thou shall not steal from patients by ordering unnecessary testing, unnecessary office visits, treatments you doubt will be successful, expensive drugs when a less expensive alternative will suffice, selling at exhorbitant costs those products which can be purchased elsewhere for less, or referring a patient thou art capable of treating. Thou shalt consider thy patients also as consumers and clients and continue the diligence you used while initially building thy practice.

#9 Thou shalt not give up. Thou shalt dig however long 'tis necessary to diagnose and properly treat a mysterious symptom or ailment, always seeking out the root cause for treatment. Thou shalt never tell a patient they are hopeless or there is nothing more you can do for them. Thou shalt dig just as hard for proof for a diagnosis of a psychologic/psychogenic disorder before placing that scarlet letter on the person of your patient. Thou shalt acknowledge that pain can be deadly and thou shalt treat it accordingly while looking for its source. Thou shalt realize there are other physicians who may be at times more qualified to diagnose and treat thy patient and thee shall refer them accordingly, always taking into consideration that true psychogenic disorders are comparatively rare. Thou shalt consider complementary and integrative healing. Thou shalt guide me by educating me on my disease and its impact on my life, and encouraging me to be proactive... or employing someone who can.

#10 Thou shalt be a learned friend - Despite thy time constraints (which can be altered), know thy patients well and treat them with respect and trust so they shalt regard you as beloved amongst your peers, for thy white coat does not impress us. Thus were the healers of generations past held with reverence and appreciation. In so knowing thy patients, thee will make better and more appropriate judgments for them, for they are much more than their disease, but human souls in need of healing and compassion.



Okay, so this is perhaps a serious subject handled in a not-so-serious way. There are so many other things I could have added.

What do you think? What did I miss? Feel free to give me your ideas here or in this conversation.