L. Joy Williams & unsatisfactory medical service:
(Lurie replaced L. Joy's phrase, "I had to go and be black" with "you had to take cultural authority".)
(Lurie replaced L. Joy's phrase, "I had to go and be black" with "you had to take cultural authority".)
LJW: Afterwards, when we went to go find another clinic, I was so upset with myself. I assert myself in so many different instances and in this instance, I just trusted and didn't ask questions or didn't search on my own for something, for an office, a doctor or clinic that would be more fit with us. And I also didn't listen to my partner.
LJW: I don't know if it's just people of color or just people in general, who accept the word and accept the treatment of doctors and medical staff. You don't have to accept that. If you don't feel comfortable with your doctor, if you don't feel like you are getting the type of care and services that you need from your medical team, you don't have to stay there.
Lurie: When it comes to our own physical bodies and medical health, we are often in a position were we feel like the doctors do know more. So challenging what they have to say...and sometimes they make you feel stupid, ('Okay, your Google search doesn't compete with my medical degree, but thank you so much'). The reality is, that doctor is not an expert on you. They may be an expert in medical sciences but your expertise on how your body functions has to marry with what the doctor is doing. So it's an ongoing conversation not a bunch of directives.