Insider info: how do doctors think?

In medicine, two heads are usually better than one! 

Gary is a tall, lanky guy in his mid-fifties whose stooped posture betrays pain and muscle deterioration. Despite regular physical therapy prescribed by his "bone doc", a respected orthopedist, his body seemed to be aging by the minute.

Fortunately for Gary, his wife spoke up to her neurologist at a recent appointment and described his condition.  Amazingly, her doctor offered a diagnosis on the spot that turned out to be ‘spot on’!  Gary switched doctors and has every reason to hope for full recovery of his old athletic self.

Wonderful! What happened? 

All of us have life experiences that shape how we perceive and analyze information. Doctors are not immune from this very human trait: they tend to filter patients’ information based on their professional training and experiences.

• In Gary’s case, his orthopedist saw his symptoms through the prism of expertise with the bones and muscle of the back. 

• His wife’s neurologist analyzed the same set of symptoms through the prism of her specialty – the nervous system that runs through the back.

We don’t believe Gary's doctor made a mistake – he just didn't have exactly the right filter for Gary’s problem.

So what’s the moral of this story?  Trust yourself, trust your body. 
If you’re not getting better under one doctor’s care, get another doctor’s mind working on your case.  Get a third or fourth opinion if necessary!

We know it can be challenging to find doctors – and get in to see them quickly! We hope Gary's story will inspire you to keep trying if you ever have a diagnosis or treatment that's "getting you nowhere."

Ever feel discouraged managing your health care on your own?  
Please don't hesitate to call on us. We can help find the right doctors and treatment choices for you!