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If we have healthcare by the free market system in this country, which I am told is the case, then it should be possible for one to have a contract with one's doctor in order to set expectations and obligations clearly. In my experience, this is not done, and all the obligations are on the part of the patient, with the doctor being able to do whatever they damn please.
Although you will hear about such things as a "Patient's Bill of Rights" to the best of my knowledge no such thing exists in any serious form, at least not that it would have protected me in any of the dozens of cases where I might very well wish to be protected.
Having made this mistake many times in the past, here is a short list of things I would like known and agreed to up front.
1. The doctor will not release information about the patient without the patient's written consent. This happens all the time when a doctor sells his practice to someone else.
2. The doctor understands that he is responsible for delivering proper prescriptions on a schedule and that failure to do so will cause the patient damage.
3. The doctor understands that he/she is responsible for advocating for patient in any dispute or misunderstanding with the pharmacy and any failure to do so will cause the patient damage.
4. The doctor understands that when he/she goes out of town or is unavailable for any reason, that another doctor is made available to cover and will know enough and be comfortable with prescribing the appropriate medication in his or her absence.
5. In the event that the doctor and patient must discontinue their relationship for any reason, that the doctor will still provide prescriptions and interaction with the pharmacy for at least six months (and this term may have to be more).
6. The doctor will understand that this responsibility is serious and he/she can not just say "oh thats not important".
I am tired of having to deal with these irresponsible scum in order to get the medication I need to live my life.
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