If you get tests done and are diagnosed with the T or the C word, the doctors are not going to tell You in India. You will be the last to hear most likely once the treatment has already been decided. The decision is usually left on your family or whoever is with you.
On the other hand, in the US, The doc will either call you for an appointment or just call and tell you on the phone while you are at work all alone with no support really. Yeah thats what my totally heartless primary care physician did.. of course I changed him for this and some other reasons..
But the question here is, what is better.. should the patient immediately know? or slowly get to understand? the slow realization is what happens with the news slowly trickling in because of tests, doc visits and hints by the family.
Does that help you be stronger about the problem, or just the one full on smack on the head is easier.
And what about your own say in your treatment and doctors and information. I am quite a control freak, and I probably wouldnt be able to trust someone else's judgement about my treatment plan. would you?
I remember I was a total control freak all through my stay in the hospital, asking nurses about the meds they were giving me and dosage and such. that brain activity and knowledge saved me from a couple of errors for sure.
What do u think?
I totally agree with the need for a person from our families inside the ICU. If the surgery was on the body, the mind has a big role to play. and if patients are to mentally grope in terror alone, its a very bad way to fight back in the first place. I know how ominous it gets in an ICU for the patient. I have been there.
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