Doctor's Visits

A Visit to the Doctor: You’re the Expert on Symptoms

A Visit to the Doctor:  You’re the Expert on Symptoms

“Doctor knows best.” Not so long ago, this was the prevailing attitude about making health care decisions. The doctor was the expert who made the diagnosis and initiated the treatment; the patient played only a small role in decision-making. But this approach won’t work with Parkinson’s disease. The person with Parkinson’s must be fully engaged in recognizing symptoms, assessing their severity, and deciding if a treatment is working.