Just because I am a Chiropractor doesn’t mean I’m always the doctor, sometimes I’m the patient too. But, because I am a Chiropractor I’m aware of the obstacles that all healthcare providers go through on a daily basis that most often makes it harder to give our patients the thorough care they deserve. It’s stressful for both the doctor and the patient as insurance companies make it more and more difficult to let doctors give patients what they need. As a doctor of chiropractic, I understand the frustrations that today’s health care provider goes through and how they can lose hope and give in becoming an “insurance company’s puppet.” As a patient, I don’t what a puppet with somebody halfway across that country pulling the strings. Because of this I’ve come up with ten good questions to keep your health care provider on their toes and with your best interests at hand. Feel free to add to my list if you have a intelligent and positive question that you’ve asked your doctor. Remember we’re trying to help our doctors listen to us as patients not attack them.
- Would you recommend this treatment, test, procedure, or medication to your wife, a family member, or to yourself?
- Are there any complications? If so, what are the complications?
- What are the side effects of the drugs being prescribed? Is there any research on long term effects after taking this drug?
- What are the alternatives to this medication, treatment, procedure, test, or surgery?
- Which health care facility or practitioner will best fit my needs as a patient?
- Why do I need this particular test? What s the importance of this test?
- How many times have you performed this procedure? How many patients have this particular condition or problem?
- Why should I change my medication to a different medication if it’s been working okay?
- Will these medications interact with my other medications?
- Is there a NATURAL ALTERNATIVE to this medication or drug, treatment, procedure, or surgery?
By Dr. Joseph J. Thomas
Board Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner
Chiropractic, Massage, Corrective Exercise, and Nutritional Support
Joshua Spine & Health Center 