Raise your hand if you have ever disagreed with a doctor?  

Maybe I should ask how many doctors have you not disagreed with?  

How many doctors are happy when you disagree with them?

It can be hard, especially for those us who don’t like conflict, to speak up and disagree with our doctors but let’s talk about why it is so important.

You are the Controlling Partner

Ideally, our relationship with our doctor is a partnership where we work together toward the same goal but even partners disagree.  Disagreements may occur on the goal, testing, diagnosis, or which treatment to be used.  

The best partnerships build off the strengths of each of the partners.  In this case, you are the expert on your body - what you experience, how it reacts, and your goals.  Your doctor is an expert on medicine (in general) - their understanding of the disease, diagnosis, and treatment. 

So, as the controlling partner in this partnership, it is...