Rose Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Dear all - just a quick questions to help put my mind at rest. Is it normal to question your surgeon/doctor in France? I have an appointment tomorrow and I have loads of questions (which I written down so I don't forget). At my last appointment I tried to ask a few things and he seemed surprised and told me just to trust him.I should add that I do trust him and I like him a great deal... I just really need to find some answers and I dont want to offend him by pulling out my list and reeling off my questions. [8-)]many thanks [kiss] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sid Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 I really don't see why this would cause offence. It's your health, and you have a vested interest!! I think that so long as you are polite and explain that you have some questions which are worrying you, then surely he/she couldn't have any objection to answering them. Sid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkkent Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 It's your body. It's your life. Ask whatever you want and if the doctor does not like it, go to another. As for trust, remember Harold Shipman!The power relationship between a doctor and a patient is very unbalanced but thankfully the days when a doctor would expect to go unchallenged are over. Medical treatment should be conducted in a state of informed consent. If he cannot cope with the idea that you are trying to take responsibility for your own health and well-being and respect you for that he doesn't deserve your time ... or your trust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velcorin Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 It's France, he's a doctor, he's the expert, he has authority. I'll put money on it, that none of his French patients have ever questioned, anything, ever,[:D]That said, a healthy dose of British cyncism would not go amiss. Might weed out some of the errors and abuses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 [quote user="velcorin"]It's France, he's a doctor, he's the expert, he has authority. I'll put money on it, that none of his French patients have ever questioned, anything, ever,[:D][/quote]Ditto that for Notaires, Avocats, Comptables, Chauffagistes, Plombiers, Couvrers, Meccanos................... the list goes on, in fact pretty much anyone that has had even a token formation many years ago can suffer from this delusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 All the French Doctors I have met have been very helpful - even giving me their home phone numbers if I had problems or needed to talk to them at any time.Give them a jar of jam or a bottle of whiskey and they are happy as Larry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericd Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 ....especially the whiskey !!! Ask as many questions as you have and don't accept their "I know what's best for you" comments. With a French doctor you have a chance to spend slightly longer time than with the average UK NHS specialist (good job i very rarely need to see them..) if he/she does not like it..............persist. Good luck and come back to tell us all about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose Posted September 28, 2010 Author Share Posted September 28, 2010 Thanks for all the comments - maybe I'm just worrying too much and reading things into his initial response. I dont want to do the chap a disservice as I think he's excellent and made a fantastic job of my scar... it was just he seemed surprised when I wanted to know more. It's only because I do think he's a nice chap that I don't want to offend... but I will take everyone's advise and ask away... I think it may be a longer appointment than he planned :)many thanks and I'll happily let you know how I get on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbles Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Just keep smiling as you ask him the questions.Add a few desolees in between the questions.And maybe the odd "this may seem a bit silly but"s.And perhaps even make a copy of the questions to give to him as you go through them.I did this with a specialist once.He was really sweet (but then he did charge 40euros for the one consultation).And he congratulated me on my excellent written French which was very gratifying - although probably just flannel and not totally true.I'm sure it'll be fine and your doctor will actually admire you for your thoroughness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose Posted September 28, 2010 Author Share Posted September 28, 2010 Thank Bubbles... that's really helpful xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 All the doctors I've encountered over here (and that's quite a few now) have been kindness and helpfulness itself and have answered all the questions I've asked - up to and including the chief orthopod' at Le Mans (who did my 3rd and 4th ops and whom I see every couple of months or so). Although I'll admit that more often than not we spend at least half of each appointment discussing motor racing.[:D] Ask away Rose, I'm sure he won't be offended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 When I was diagnosed with Greenblood Ailment, it was me initiated the original tests and also who told the doctor how I wanted the treatment to work and what I was doing to facilitate it. He gave his agreement willingly, added a few more ideas and we worked it out like that. Now when I see him which is every six months, I give him a list of information and tell him what needss to be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 I doubt whether he treats all that many fruit apart from your good self and thus probably welcomes any help you can give him.[:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mogs Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 I think you should ask as much as you want, and he will probably be expecting it too.I always question and double question what my doctors say, sometimes I get strange looks like I am telling them their jobs but, I always smile and blame it on my English inquisitiveness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 In really difficult situations I write a summary in advance.It saves time, and I dare write things, especially in advance, that I probably wouldn't have had the confidence to ask orally.On the other hand I also have a good email link with the three Professors treating me for my various cancers, and as long as I am brief and to the point I get a reply in under 24 hours (this summer from my radiologist at the beach) You have the RIGHT to ask, but try to find the most efficient way to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose Posted September 28, 2010 Author Share Posted September 28, 2010 Thanks again folks... I think I've just got hold of the wrong end of the stick with my chap... as he is lovely. Maybe he felt it was best for me to have some time before he started answering lots of questions? I, like you Norman, have written things down... and like you I wouldn't say some of it but with it written I'll be more confident.You're all such sweethearts... it's been worrying me and now it doesn't - thank you, I'll report back tomorrow [kiss] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Good Luck Rose [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose Posted September 28, 2010 Author Share Posted September 28, 2010 Thanks RH... I feel like a child on Christmas eve xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose Posted September 29, 2010 Author Share Posted September 29, 2010 Well I think I was worrying over nothing! I explained I had a long list of questions to which he replied... I was expecting nothing less from you [:$]I handed over the list of questions as it was just easier than reading them out... he fairly quickly went through, focused on the ones that helped clarify his diagnosis and treatment options. I'm feeling like a huge weight has been lifted as I now I understand and know more about this type of cancer. I'm also feeling a huge releif as it is very very treatable... good day all round!thank you all for your replies... I was soooo nervous it really helped a lot [kiss] [kiss] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mogs Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 Glad to hear that things went well Rose, best wishes for continued progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 [quote user="Rose"]Well I think I was worrying over nothing! I explained I had a long list of questions to which he replied... I was expecting nothing less from you [:$].. he fairly quickly went through, focused on the ones that helped clarify his diagnosis and treatment options. I'm feeling like a huge weight has been lifted as I now I understand and know more about this type of cancer. I'm also feeling a huge releif as it is very very treatable... good day all round!thank you all for your replies... I was soooo nervous it really helped a lot [kiss] [kiss][/quote]I am HUGELY pleased that it went so well."I handed over the list of questions as it was just easier than reading them out." I always do this now, because although my French is pretty good I have a terrible accent, and once someone doesn't 'get' something I can lose confidence.I have had a couple of similar situations and have received excellent treatment and advice, as apparently you have done.If it can be treated it will be here.Good luck and "Santé" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose Posted October 3, 2010 Author Share Posted October 3, 2010 Thanks folks ... [kiss] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suej Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 So glad you are feeling reassured and worrying less Rose.Loads of best wishes Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 From me too Rose. [kiss]Christine xxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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