I believe I have a reasonable degree of trust in my doctor, because she knows that:

I will immediately review any diagnosis of any condition for which she recommends treatment in my current copy of the Merck Manual of Diagnostic Medicine (and possibly in one or more of my 9 earlier revisions).

That I will be back immediately if I - and Merck - don't agree with either her diagnosis or recommended treatment.

That I will not take any prescription until I have read and understood the applicable information in the Physician's Desk Reference.

That I will have, and understand, a copy of every lab test that she prescribes for me, and will record and compare trends in lab results to verify (or refute) the efficacy of her presecribed treatment.

That I will not accept any treatment that is not based on a diagnosis with which I agree.

That I will tell her if I believe I have found a condition that requires her assistance - and that I expect her to respect, and confirm or refute my "diagnosis."


I call it "self-defense," but it makes me feel reasonably secure.

I suspect she calls me a "difficult patient."

John