Doctors

The sad passing of Elizabeth Edwards reminds us again of the sobering fact that the cost of cancer is no easy price to pay — emotionally, physically, and financially.

But here's a shocking statistic: over half of cancer professionals refrain from mentioning finances when discussing the topic with their patients, according to a report released this year by the Journal of the American Medical Association. This is slightly alarming as patients should be equipped with proper financial guidance during this draining time.

What have your experiences at the doctor been like — do they address money matters with you?

I'm killing myself for not eating an apple a day. In recent weeks, I've spent entirely too much time at doctors' offices, which have resulted in numerous prescriptions for antibiotics. Thinking I knew my body well enough, I decided to forgo the second Rx and tried to fight my illness with my trusty OTC meds, some saline spray, and some rest. Unfortunately, playing nurse to myself didn't pay off and I went running back to my pharmacy asking for that original prescription to be filled. Now five days later, I'm starting to finally feel better. Final score: Doctor 1, Patient 0.

In this case, my doctor certainly did know best, but I'm not sure he always does. Do you ever reject your doctor's medical advice for your own intuition?

Say you run into your psychologist at a party. Do you say hello or feign unfamiliarity? I've known psychologists who won't acknowledge patients in social situations unless the patient says hello first, so as to avoid any awkward "how do you know that person?" questions that might put patients on the spot.

To me, the idea of friending a therapist on Facebook is a puzzling proposition. As a recent story in the Los Angeles Times acknowledges, doctor-patient relationships are trickier to navigate in the age of social networking and search engines, where the personal is more public:

Caregivers, especially psychiatrists and therapists, have historically disclosed personal information only when it might benefit a patient . . . Likewise, patients have typically disclosed personal details in their own time, as therapy continues and trust develops. The Web challenges that model head-on.

If a doctor can Google you, why not add her to your friends list? I can think of some good reasons why not to friend your doctor, as well as some potential benefits, so read more

Got a burning question for your doctor during non-office hours? Skip the overnight answering service and just text her! Expectant mamas who find themselves wondering why their breasts are leaking in the weeks before delivery or if it is safe to take medication for a headache don't always have to wait for the phones to open at 9 a.m. to get an answer. Many doctors are opening themselves, and their mobile phone lines, up to patients with non-emergency questions. The practice allays patients' fears and reduces the doctors' call volume first thing in the morning. Best of all, worried mamas can find answers without venturing to the often scary Internet and learning worst-case scenarios.

Do you text your doctor non-emergency questions?

Women without health insurance or those who are not familiar with the healthcare system often skip their prenatal visits, which can lead to complications for both mother and baby. According to a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, offering expectant moms $100 to begin their prenatal doctor visits in the first trimester and continue through delivery is enough incentive to have them comply.

By offering the financial reward, the researchers saw a 62 percent increase in the number of program participants and a 39 percent decrease in the number of low birth weight babies. The plan, which also offered the participants' doctors a $100 bonus for enforcing the appointments, cost the healthcare companies less in the first year of the babies' lives.

Mamas wait for what seems like an eternity for their babies, so when they finally arrive it's a big relief. There's another wonderful thing that comes with holding the warm bundle of joy, clearing your calendar of prenatal appointments! But, before women can pencil in other activities, they need to go in for their six week postpartum checkup. Here's what to expect during the visit:

• A thorough pelvic exam, including a pap smear, an examination of any episiotomy, vaginal tear, or C-section scar healing and a check of the uterus's return to its prepregnancy size.
• A breast exam including a breast cancer screening and checks for infections and abscess that may result from breastfeeding.
• Blood work to check for anemia or thyroid issues.
• A mental health evaluation to screen for postpartum depression and determine the mother's overall well-being.
• A discussion about birth control options. Depending on a woman's breastfeeding goals and her plans for subsequent children, her contraceptive options may vary from her prepregnancy ones. Be sure to discuss all options with your doctor.
• Clearance for postpartum sexual activity. Many husbands view the six-week postpartum checkup as the green light for resuming sexual activity. If your doctor does say it is OK to proceed, discuss any tips she might have to get you started again.