Take charge of your own healthcare.
The days of the family doctor who has known you from birth are long gone. Today doctors are being forced to see more and more patients for less and less time. It is also more difficult for them (especially general and family practitioners) to keep up with all of the latest developments for thousands of different illnesses and conditions. It is particularly easy for a relatively new, frustratingly mysterious disease like chronic fatigue syndrome to get lost as doctors try to cope with the multitude of life-threatening illnesses.
If you want quality healthcare, you have to take responsibility for communicating clearly and accurately with your doctor. It is easy to feel intimidated when talking to your doctor, but remember that it is your body and your health you are dealing with. You have a right to the best care your doctor can give you. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, share information you have learned in your research, or ask about an alternative treatment you would like to try. Make a list of everything you want to discuss with your doctor and take it with you so you don’t forget anything.
