Choosing an Attending Physician for Ulcerative Colitis and How to Interact with Hospitals

—For those of you wondering, "Is this the right doctor for me?"—

"I can't fully trust my current doctor... is that rude?"

Treatment for ulcerative colitis is a
long-term relationship.

Some people recover quickly, but
in my case, including days without symptoms,
several years have passed while I've been mindful of my condition.

That is why I sometimes wonder.

"Is this treatment right for me?"
"But is it rude to doubt them?"
"Will they be offended if I change hospitals?"

I can say this from my own experience,

having doubts is not rude.
It is a very legitimate feeling of "wanting to get better" and "wanting to live well."

"A second opinion is not a 'betrayal'"

When I personally
doubted my current attending physician,
I went for a second opinion.

The reason is simple.

• I wanted to hear the opinions of other doctors

• I wanted to look at my current treatment objectively

• I wanted to continue treatment with peace of mind

As a result,
I went to hear what doctors at other hospitals had to say about twice.

I believe this is a natural action for a patient to take.

A second opinion is not for:

• denying your attending physician

• changing hospitals

It is not just for that.

I also believe it is for confirming your own priorities.
I also think it is for that.

What one seeks in an attending physician varies from person to person.

Specialization, track record, and number of published papers.
Of course, these are important.

But what I value most is
whether the person is easy to talk to.

• Not difficult to ask questions to

• Not having an overly stiff expression

• Not interrupting when I speak

• Not just looking at the PC while talking

Treatment is not
a game of guessing the right answer.

It is a collaborative process of thinking together.

Even if it is medically correct, there are times when your heart cannot keep up.

From my own experience, I think that

correct treatment does not necessarily mean treatment that suits you
.

• Daily rhythm

• Family environment

• Childcare and work

• Level of anxiety

• Life plans

Treatment that ignores these factors
becomes painful to continue.

Points where you can easily get lost when choosing a primary doctor

This is a point I especially want to convey.

1. Thinking that a famous hospital equals a hospital that suits you

→ It may be crowded, and there is almost no time to talk.

2. Feeling that the doctor is busy and swallowing your questions

→ Going home without understanding things builds up anxiety.

3. Believing that you must not go against the doctor

→ The patient themselves is the main driver of treatment.

4. Wavering between information on the internet and the doctor's opinion

→ Neither one is absolute.

A good primary doctor does not mean someone who can cure everything

A good primary doctor is,

• not someone who cures you immediately,
  but

someone who listens to you,
considers your life,
and builds a treatment plan together with you
—that is what I believe.

Hospitals are places you are allowed to use

It is a bit of a strong way to put it, but
hospitals are not places where patients should be reserved.

• If you don't understand, you can ask.

• If you are anxious, you can tell them.

• If it doesn't feel right, you can keep your distance.

This is not being selfish, but rather
an act of protecting your own body.

As an aside...
My favorite book, written 300 years ago,
Ekiken Kaibara's "Yojokun" (Lessons on Nourishing Life) states the following:

"It is important to take care of one's health in daily life, and if you become ill, you must choose a good doctor."

That is the passage.

This book conveys that you must acquire at least some knowledge on how to choose a doctor.
If you leave everything up to the doctor,
it is only natural that you won't know if they are the right fit for you.

This is about your own body.
Doing your own research as much as possible and
taking action to find someone you know is
a natural act when facing an illness.

"Ultimately, this is how I decide."

My criteria for choosing an attending physician are very simple.

"Can I show my weakness in front of this person?"

It is not just about talking about symptoms,
but whether they are someone to whom I can express
my fears, anxieties, and uncertainties just as they are.

That is what "trust" means to me.

"To you, today"

If you are currently
wondering, "Is this the right doctor for me?",
that might be proof that your intuition is working.

Please do not blame yourself for having doubts.
Pausing is also a step toward moving forward.

Connections are mysterious things,
and if you keep searching,
you often end up encountering them.

Therefore, I believe that trusting yourself and taking action is one solution.

I will end here for today.
Thank you for reading until the end.

As a YouTuber, I make videos about things I am interested in, such as body-friendly meals and lifestyle habits.

(111) Sharing Happiness (Utautai key) - YouTubeAlso, I have compiled the natural foods I usually use in this Rakuten ROOM. Please take a look if you'd like.


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