Hi Dibleggo and others who have commented on the posts so far...,

i am kind of in both camps. I certainly understand your frustration Dibblego and i too feel that things are often simplistic with doctors...but they sub-specialise these days and really just prefer to do what they are comfy doing.

They have worked hard and studied hard and it costs LOTS of money and time to do all this training and they are up with the latest research in their special areas and can quote their statistics and others statistics...

...but when it comes to something out of the box/different/complex/etc, most don't want to know about it because it ruins the rhythm they are in.

How does that help the average punter?

I think finding the right doctor/surgeon/physician for the right patient is the first step. I try to match the patient and their personality and expectations with the surgeon. I know good surgeons with terrible communication - they tend to be good for the older people who expect doctors to be like that and NEED surgery (bone on bone knee OA which needs TKR etc). Then there are the other doctors who can do complex diagnosis etc.

Another problem i find is that doctors seem to practice diagnosis by exclusion - and this is to some degree what i do as a physio - list of possible diagnoses and eliminate them with more info etc...but some are so unsophisticated it becomes a joke.

Whilst reading your story, i was wondering if your intelligence and knowledge comes across as threatening to the doctors?

I have found i have changed many a doctors' minds by simply communicating all the info like you have described but in such a way as they still feel in charge, they make the decisions and the patient gets better.

I have tried the blunt approach before without much success but when i changed strategies, i found most doctors to be receptive.

Should we have to be like that to get a good result - i don't think so...but i think we NEED to be to get a good result. We shouldn't have to grovel or make someone be god so they will listen to us...but a bit of patient respect and careful phrasing has served me well over the years...but then there are those who will never listen - i don't deal with them!!

What are your current symptoms at the moment and what do you consider your problem to be - i like to think that i have fairly good diagnostic skills and would like to chat - even to learn what it is that you do.

Cheers