As patient and physician, ours is more than a relationship; it's a partnership. A partnership is based on mutual trust and confidence. I want to ensure that you get an accurate diagnosis and treatment that's best and most satisfactory for you.
1. Communication: If you don't understand what I'm telling you, please tell me. If you don't understand a treatment, prescription instructions, or my diagnosis, please tell me. I'm willing to explain as many times as needed..
2. Clarification: Tell me what you need to know about your condition. If I've told you to take it easy until your condition improves, and you want to know if you can go to work, watch television, or go shopping, please ask me any specific questions you want answered that I may have omitted or not been clear enough.
3. Satisfaction: Be sure you're comfortable with what I've recommended. If you're not, please tell me. We can discuss alternatives..
4. Understanding: Understand that medicine is a science, but it's also an art. Doctors don't always have the perfect, no-questions-asked diagnosis, treatment, or cure. I'll use my knowledge to evaluate your condition. I can do a better job of treating you if you keep me informed, continue to ask me questions, and give me honest information about your medical history and current symptoms or problems.
5. Information: Tell me when something is troubling you, whether it's that my front door is difficult to open, that one of us was short-tempered with you, or that the prescription I gave you doesn't seem to be working. If I know when you're unhappy or not fully satisfied, I can do something about it. If you keep it to yourself, I'll never know. Sometimes, the information you keep to yourself may affect the course of your treatment or recovery.
In return for your involvement and communication, I promise I'll communicate with you to the best of my ability. I believe the result will be a stronger relationship.
Sam Speron, M.D.
When I first published The 7 Critical Questions to Ask Before Letting Any Surgeon Touch You, I had no idea that it would be so popularly received. Since its publication, this brief guide has helped thousands like you to more safely navigate the world of cosmetic surgery. The 7 Questions have been updated and a bonus section, Applying the 7 Questions, has just been added. Be my guest to read, learn and share.
