Why It's Hard To Consult A Doctor...
I was chatting with a good friend of mine and our topic came on why filipinos tend to avoid going to the doctor despite knowing that something is wrong with them physically.
My friend was long overdue for her follow-up examination and each time I reminded her of this, she'd tell me that she felt fine making the need for check-up inessential.
Car owners know that even if the car seems to be running well, it still pays to bring it to the mechanic regularly for scrutiny to prevent a small defect from causing greater harm. And this evidently applies to the body too.
"I think I should write an article on WHY IT'S SO HARD TO CONSULT A DOCTOR." I said.
My friend immediately offered two reasons: 1. Costly and 2. Doctors always make us think we are dying.
"Probably it is the cost that makes you want to die?" I teased.
I laughed. "And you have to pay the doctor for telling you that there is something wrong with you. It is like paying someone to insult you."
"Yes!" she wholeheartedly agreed. "I wished the doctors would sometimes lie, just like a friend who will tell you that everything is ok even if not."
That is a luxury no oncologist can afford. Imagine a conversation going like this:
"Sir, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. You just need chemotherapy."
"What is the chemotherapy for doctor?"
"Just to boost your energy, like a vitamin or immunization shot. You will lose your hair though."
"Why will I lose my hair?"
"To give way to stronger, healthier and more beautiful hair."
Who knows how far one can lie...
Probably Filipinos prefer the "albularyo" who can diagnose with certainty every physical ailment. A patient with a heart problem for example will usually be subjected to laboratory examinations by the doctor. If the same patient sees the "albularyo", treatment will immediately be instituted.
"You accidentally urinated on the house of a dwarf. Just offer blood of one manok "bisaya" on the molehill under the mango tree."
It cannot get simpler and cheaper than that.
"I am really going for my follow-up scan," my friend revealed. "It's just that the it's been raining hard and the sea is rough. I ll go this April when it's summer."
"Mmm. And when it is summer, the weather may be too hot for travel and you may opt to wait for November when it gets cooler." I kidded.
My conclusion to this matter is this: it is hard to go to the doctor for consult because there are a lot of BETTER EXCUSES NOT TO ... especially when you are feeling fine enough to think of these excuses.
My friend was long overdue for her follow-up examination and each time I reminded her of this, she'd tell me that she felt fine making the need for check-up inessential.
Car owners know that even if the car seems to be running well, it still pays to bring it to the mechanic regularly for scrutiny to prevent a small defect from causing greater harm. And this evidently applies to the body too.
"I think I should write an article on WHY IT'S SO HARD TO CONSULT A DOCTOR." I said.
My friend immediately offered two reasons: 1. Costly and 2. Doctors always make us think we are dying.
"Probably it is the cost that makes you want to die?" I teased.
"That too!" she said. "I do not develop diarrhea irregardless of what I eat but when I am with my doctor, I feel like I am going to see St Peter already. Doctors have a lot of findings like the COA."
I laughed. "And you have to pay the doctor for telling you that there is something wrong with you. It is like paying someone to insult you."
"Yes!" she wholeheartedly agreed. "I wished the doctors would sometimes lie, just like a friend who will tell you that everything is ok even if not."
That is a luxury no oncologist can afford. Imagine a conversation going like this:
"Sir, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. You just need chemotherapy."
"What is the chemotherapy for doctor?"
"Just to boost your energy, like a vitamin or immunization shot. You will lose your hair though."
"Why will I lose my hair?"
"To give way to stronger, healthier and more beautiful hair."
Who knows how far one can lie...
Probably Filipinos prefer the "albularyo" who can diagnose with certainty every physical ailment. A patient with a heart problem for example will usually be subjected to laboratory examinations by the doctor. If the same patient sees the "albularyo", treatment will immediately be instituted.
"You accidentally urinated on the house of a dwarf. Just offer blood of one manok "bisaya" on the molehill under the mango tree."
It cannot get simpler and cheaper than that.
"I am really going for my follow-up scan," my friend revealed. "It's just that the it's been raining hard and the sea is rough. I ll go this April when it's summer."
"Mmm. And when it is summer, the weather may be too hot for travel and you may opt to wait for November when it gets cooler." I kidded.
My conclusion to this matter is this: it is hard to go to the doctor for consult because there are a lot of BETTER EXCUSES NOT TO ... especially when you are feeling fine enough to think of these excuses.
Comments
paghuman nako og training doc, sa ako na lang ihatag ning imong friend... paLLiative med mn doc - bason ganahan xa ky comfort care man... and depende pa jud unsa na comfort iya gus@..=)
after a few years of practice, i decided to think in a more positive way... the patient got better and wanted to save money so they didn't come back for their check-up. yet sometimes, i still wonder =)