Seema had a health issue. Since her condition did not improve even after a few days, she thought about consulting a doctor and went ahead and booked an appointment with Dr A at hospital B.
When her friends got to know about her plan to visit the hospital, they dissuaded her from going to that particular place.
"Why do you want to go to a hospital you have never been to?" her friends asked her. "Moreover, hospital B looks good and posh because they fleece their patients."
"Why go there when you have good doctors in hospital C? Go there and meet Dr D. He is really good. They don't unnecessarily prescribe medicines and tests," Seema's friends suggested.
Seema had opted for hospital B, a relatively new one, mainly because it was easier for her to reach.
Earlier, she had always gone to more well-known hospitals, like C which her friends suggested, that were far away; and the commute was difficult due to heavy traffic.
Hospital B is closer to Seema's home, so she thought of giving it a try, even though she hadn't heard great reviews about it.
Her friends' counsel confused her, but she decided to stick to her choice.
On the scheduled day, she went to hospital B and met doctor A.
Everything went off smoothly.
She found the doctor very receptive. He explained to her the underlying medical reasons for her condition, and why she should undergo a couple of blood tests. He came up with a diagnosis and prescribed a few medicines.
She returned home in a cheerful frame of mind. In fact, she felt okay even before taking the medicines!
MORAL OF THE STORY
- Never be influenced by others' views about hospitals and doctors.
- Take your own decision and stick to it.
- Have trust and faith in hospitals and doctors. If you don't have trust, don't go.
A hospital review is not like a movie review, because going to a hospital is not like going for a movie. One is about health and life; the other is about entertainment.
IT'S ALL ABOUT FAITH
An experience with doctors is as much about trust in them as it is about their professional qualifications and skills.
Each person's experience with a hospital or a doctor is unique. Just because you did not like a particular hospital or doctor, it does not mean that will be the experience for everyone else too.
So, do not dissuade or discourage another person from visiting any hospital or meeting any doctor. You might unwittingly end up preventing them from getting their illness cured.
Conversely, if you had a good experience with a hospital or a doctor, be cautious when you make a recommendation. Others shouldn't end up having a bad experience and blaming it on you.
YOUR VIEWS
If someone asks your opinion about a hospital or doctor:
- Make it very clear that it is your personal opinion and warn them not to be influenced by your views.
- Don't make judgements on medical matters. We are no one to determine if a blood test or an x-ray was required or not. That is the job of a medical professional.
FINALLY
- When it comes to health, always look for factual information rather than opinions. Listen to others' views, but take your own decision.
- Approach health professionals with an open mind. If you trust and believe in a doctor, treatment becomes that much easier.
