“Is there a doctor in the house?” is a common mantra, almost a cliché, that someone might call out in a public emergency. Maybe you can remember the 1971 TV comedy, written and created by Bernard Slade. Here a small-town doctor who dislikes women hires an assistant newly graduated from medical school sight unseen. Little does he know that he's selected a beautiful female M.D. to share his office! (Find our more here…Is There a Doctor in the House)

Doctors are not always who we think they are. Shucks, they are not even who they think they are. With the present explosion of knowledge, more comprehensive and specialized information is essential for maximum health care. When I was younger, we were blessed just to have a family doctor and if he didn’t have it, or if he couldn’t find it, or if he couldn’t get it, we didn’t need it! Those days have changed!

There is also a cultural misunderstanding that a doctor means medical doctor. Somehow, if you have the name doctor as an appendage to your last name, you are qualified to treat us peons. Wake up and smell the morning brew; we have become hypnotized by mediocrity and false or misleading diagnosis!

Fact - there are numerous professions that use this title and they have neither a twit nor a twat to do with health care.

Just a few simple examples will do:

• The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is the highest academic title available for study in any field of knowledge. Most of these are quacks in any field outside their study area. So duck if they give their medical opinions!

• Within religious circles the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree is the second level of achievement for those committed to ministerial leadership. As well as the D. Min. there is offered the Doctor of Theology (Th. D.) for practical aspects of spiritual work. So, pray even harder if they give their medical advice!

• Of course there is also the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DMV). She is great for your health care if you could somehow grow an extra set of legs or convert your fur coat to wooly skin. It would not hurt to bark and wag your tail either.

What is a doctor anyway? Over the years the most common definition (see Answers.com) is “A person, especially a physician, dentist, or veterinarian, trained in the healing arts and licensed to practice.” However the definition has greatly broadened to “A person who has earned the highest academic degree awarded by a college or university in a specified discipline … used as a title and form of address for a person holding the degree of doctor.”

The very word "doctor" derives from the Latin word "docere" which means, "to teach". It is a title of respect for those who were scholarly enough about their specific field of attention to be able to guide students in their elected discipline. The title of doctor is not necessarily affiliated with the medical field. It is an enlightening anomaly that our first reflection when introduced to someone with the title of "doctor" is to assume he is a practitioner of the medical arts.

These tittles of information are only important in that many people are being treated by and for things medically that their practitioner is not at all qualified to diagnose. Even within the medical ranks of holding the doctor designation, there could be more ignorance than proficient healthcare knowledge, like having your skull popped open “coconut style” by some shaman trying to cure your migraine! Such ignorance could cost you your life! Beware!

I have learned this lesson several times. As a kidney transplant patient, my health care team had to include many doctors, nurse practitioners, as well as specialized nurses, pharmacists and dieticians. Following my surgery, the team met with me through multiple training sessions and I became somewhat educated in what I had to do to maintain my health, my kidney and my life. After that, I once again had to re-enter “old” world, I was forced to live aside from these specialists for a more regular health care. The result- often I have had to “lecture” the doctor or nurse on my care.

I remember one doctor, a man of medical degrees, was reviewing my medical history and I mentioned my transplant. He with inquisition asked, “Which kidney did you have replaced?” I immediately knew that he had not the foggiest understanding of my needs. Anyone with an elementary knowledge of the kidney transplant protocol knows that unless one of the old kidneys is damaged it stays and a new kidney is merely added in the lower center of the abdomen! Thank God, I didn’t have to be treated by him!

So, what advice can I give to help the reader who is facing major medical needs?

1. Know as much about your disease or ailment as you can.
2. Know your doctor and in what areas she is an expert.
3. Ask many questions.
4. If the diagnosis and treatment do not make sense to you, get a second opinion.
5. Don’t be afraid to fire your doctor.
6. After all this – comply, comply, comply – you must take responsibility for your own health.

Links:

• When A Doctor Isn't A Doctor
• How to Find a Doctor (WebMd)
• How to know Your Medicines (BeMedWise)
• How To Diagnose Your Medical Symptoms (MyElectricMd)