Great Debate: Who Is Responsible for Poor Health?
Dr. Tiffany T. Butler | January 13, 2023 | Read Time: 5 minutes
“At the end of the day, your health is your responsibility.” (Jillian Michaels)
Your life is your responsibility. You are responsible for the choices you make. No one else. It is easy to blame others for what occurs in our life; however, as an adult, we must be held accountable for our actions. This is called adulting. The life we are living today is a direct result of the decisions we’ve made. Therefore, to improve your health, you must begin with yourself.
Yes, there are policies and systems in place that may hinder or limit access to certain resources, however, it is still our individual responsibility to find solutions to our problems. When we make excuses for our actions, we release ourselves from being held accountable for our participation in the decision-making process. When it comes to health, it is your responsibility to take care of your personal healthcare needs. There are times, when patients may receive poor healthcare services, we can’t deny this; however, it is still the patient’s responsibility to seek out healthcare professionals who will provide them with a standard of care. Like finding a good barber or a highly skilled hairstylist, it takes time to find good doctors. I always tell people: All doctors are not created equal. In other words, just because a person became a doctor, doesn’t mean they are well equipped, skilled, trained, or confident in treating a patient’s health condition.
The Roles of the Healthcare Professional
Healthcare professionals – including, but not limited to, the chiropractor, dentist, medical physician, and mental health therapist – responsibility is to assist you in the healing and recovery from an illness, injury, or trauma. Each healthcare professional will provide treatment and service in their area of expertise according to what is considered standard of care in that particular field.
The healthcare professional will provide the following:
- patient education on the cause of their condition
- offer treatment options that will yield the best outcome
- make the patient aware of the risks and benefits of such treatment
- inform the patient of the consequences of not getting treatment
- answer any questions the patient have concerning their condition or care
A patient has the right to accept or deny the recommendations of the healthcare professional, even if the patient’s decision goes against the advice of the healthcare professional. It is still the patient’s choice what type of care they receive.
The Role of the Patient
The patient’s role is to be an active participant in their healthcare.
The patient is responsible for the following:
- provide a complete medical history (past and present)
- inform the healthcare professional if their condition worsens, improves, or stays the same
- ask questions if they do not understand their condition or treatment
- be financially responsible for their medical expenses
- understand that healthcare professionals may make mistakes due to the limitation in the science, technology, and medical care available
Shared Responsibility
Both the healthcare professional and the patient must be respectful, open, and honest in communication. However, It is ultimately the patient’s responsibility to make the decision whether or not they will follow the recommendations of the healthcare professional. If you are not receiving good healthcare treatment from your doctor (s) it is your responsibility to find another doctor (s) who will provide care that meets your healthcare needs.
Check out my blog on How To Choose A Doctor to learn what characteristics make up a great doctor, regardless of their area of expertise, schooling, etc.
Dr. Tiffany T. Butler (aka “The Pain Doctor”) is a chiropractor, author, and entrepreneur. She leads Harmonious Living Chiropractic: Fitness & Wellness Center, a pain management practice, in offering healthcare solutions that focus on patient-centered care. Her team consists of individuals who are passionate about improving patient outcomes by providing chiropractic care, in conjunction with therapeutic procedures. Their services have helped hundreds of people find pain relief and improved their quality of life. To learn more about Dr. Butler visit https://www.drtiffanybutler.com/dr-butler/ Connect with Dr. Butler on social media #drtiffanybutler
