As much as I’m on team pro-science, doctors are not omniscient, and lots of people have the experience of needing to direct their medical care at some point in their lives. Blindly accepting medical advice can be just as harmful as “doing your own research,” as any woman who’s gotten the old “have you considered that you’re faking it?” or “but your labs are fine so…” run-around can attest.
Doctors are well aware they are not omniscient. They know they are more knowledgable and experienced than you, but they aren’t perfect. They can only do so much with the information that the patient gives them. And patients, like it or not, are not always the most reliable sources of symptoms or medical information. And sometimes all the testing you can do might not reveal the correct diagnosis. At that point, what do you expect a doctor to do?
Look, I’m not a doctor nor have I ever played one on TV. Hell, I didn’t even stay at a Holiday Inn late night. But I did spend 15 years in the back of an AmberLamps seeing patients at their worst moments in life. Or at least what they thought were the worst moments, (sometimes it was just another Tuesday for me). I’ve seen a lot of doctors work up close and personal. Some were great, almost all of the rest were good, and a few were bad, (I actually witnessed a Medical Director of the ER come down and fire a doctor on the spot once). But they all tried hard and gave 100% everyday.
The patient/doctor relationship is a two way street. And weirdly, patients very often are unwilling to hold up their end of the relationship. That means you must speak up for yourself. Ask questions, refine your symptoms together WITH the doctor, and give input into your treatment plan and listen to replies. And understand that that healthcare provider may not have all the answers you are looking for.
As much as I’m on team pro-science, doctors are not omniscient, and lots of people have the experience of needing to direct their medical care at some point in their lives. Blindly accepting medical advice can be just as harmful as “doing your own research,” as any woman who’s gotten the old “have you considered that you’re faking it?” or “but your labs are fine so…” run-around can attest.
Doctors are well aware they are not omniscient. They know they are more knowledgable and experienced than you, but they aren’t perfect. They can only do so much with the information that the patient gives them. And patients, like it or not, are not always the most reliable sources of symptoms or medical information. And sometimes all the testing you can do might not reveal the correct diagnosis. At that point, what do you expect a doctor to do?
Look, I’m not a doctor nor have I ever played one on TV. Hell, I didn’t even stay at a Holiday Inn late night. But I did spend 15 years in the back of an AmberLamps seeing patients at their worst moments in life. Or at least what they thought were the worst moments, (sometimes it was just another Tuesday for me). I’ve seen a lot of doctors work up close and personal. Some were great, almost all of the rest were good, and a few were bad, (I actually witnessed a Medical Director of the ER come down and fire a doctor on the spot once). But they all tried hard and gave 100% everyday.
The patient/doctor relationship is a two way street. And weirdly, patients very often are unwilling to hold up their end of the relationship. That means you must speak up for yourself. Ask questions, refine your symptoms together WITH the doctor, and give input into your treatment plan and listen to replies. And understand that that healthcare provider may not have all the answers you are looking for.