The New Doctor-Patient Relationship
Today, I’m going out on a limb to suggest a new kind of Doctor-Patient Relationship
It’s all about collaboration
As doctor and patient, you and I are entering into a partnership. I will not give you orders because we will be collaborating.
I am here to support you, guide you, offer you tools and support your process, but I will not “fix” you; I don’t believe you are broken.
You can heal yourself
You already have within you the power to heal yourself. You can optimize your wellness and happiness, so you can live the most joyous, vibrant, fulfilling, sexy and healthy life possible. Although I will support you by educating you, giving you choices, answering your questions and making recommendations, you are the force behind your own healing. The body is made to self-diagnose and self-repair, and my job is to help you activate those self-healing superpowers.
If you are not ready, willing or able to heal yourself, I will be here to nurture and support you, but the process will be less powerful, with less dramatic results.
I’m not blaming you
I’m not blaming you for being sick, depressed or otherwise in need of healing. I’m not suggesting that you brought this upon yourself. (And if you did, I will treat you with compassion, not judgment.)
I’m also not suggesting that every illness or problem will be cured, either by your hands or mine. Sometimes the master plan requires that illness – or even death – is inevitable. Healing and curing are different; one can happen without the other. Although our goal will always be to achieve both, we will both understand that we must set goals but release attachment to outcomes and surrender to divine will. In this surrender, healing lies.
We are equals
Although I spent many years training to earn the right to be your doctor, I am not “better” than you. You will not put me on a pedestal, and I will not look down upon you. I will speak to you when we are both dressed and only leave you naked in the brief moments when I need to examine you. I will respect your privacy and honor your modesty.
I accept that my time is not more valuable than yours. I will not make you wait for your appointment, and you will not be late. We must be present during our time together. We will both turn off cell phones, let go of distractions and focus all of our energy on your health and healing.
I trust your intuition
I will call upon my knowledge, experience and resources to offer you recommendations for preventative care, diagnostic workups and treatment plans. I will also invite you to listen to the intuition of your healing inner wisdom, body and soul. I will explain my recommendations, but I will always respect your autonomy, without judgment. If you choose not to follow my advice, we will negotiate another plan that resonates with your intuition. If I am unable to provide the care you need or desire, I will release you to follow your heart or find another provider. You will understand if our current medical-legal climate makes me cover myself sometimes.
I will not take it personally if you question me. I promise to respect you, guide you, and help you discover the healing power within you. In exchange, I ask that you follow through on any treatment plan we agree upon. If our treatment plan does not resonate with your body’s wisdom, or if you have financial constraints, please tell me so that we can modify our plan.
I believe in you
I believe in your capacity to heal from any illness, trauma or loss, even if other doctors have deemed you “incurable.” I will never view you as hopeless or broken, and I will hold sacred space for the whole, perfect, healed individual I know you to be, even in the midst of ill health. I will tell it to you straight so you understand science and statistics, but I will never tell you hope is gone, because miracles happen, and you have the power to enable them.
We must be honest with each other
We have to be open and tell the truth, even if it is painful or uncomfortable. I will promise you confidentiality, and you must promise to tell me anything I need to know to provide the best medical care possible.
I am only human
You will understand that I am a mere mortal, prone to mistakes, flaws, insecurities, ego, fatigue, tears and distractions. If I let you down, you will tell me gently.
I’m doing the best I can, and so are you
We commit to open communication, mutual respect, a belief in the infinite capacity for whole health and healing, and a dedication to cherishing the process and viewing health issues as an opportunity to seek higher ground.
We acknowledge that between you and me, anything is possible.
Are you on board? If so, sign here.
X marks the spot,
Your Doctor
A call to action
If you’re a health care provider, how does this strike you? If you’re a patient, how do you think your doctor would respond to this? How would you respond if your doctor gave this to you?
If we’re gonna change the system, we have to work together. Send this post to your health care provider and your friends. Let’s invite patients and health care providers to step up to the plate and reclaim the heart of medicine.
Photo credit: emdot
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