By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: When Patients Know More Than Their Doctors
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Public Health > When Patients Know More Than Their Doctors
Public Health

When Patients Know More Than Their Doctors

malpani
malpani
Share
4 Min Read
Image
SHARE

Image

Image

Life used to be much easier in the past for both patients and doctors, when doctors were acknowledged to be the medical knowledge experts . They knew all there was to know about treatment options for all kinds of diseases . They spent many years in medical college , learning from their medical textbooks and their professors ; and since medicine is a professional guild , they transmitted information to each other and shared experiences by reading medical journals and attending medical conferences . They know what to do when the patient had a problem, which is why patients went to them when they fell ill . They were able to provide solutions which the patient would accept , because he knew that the doctor knew much more about how to solve their problems , than they possibly could.

However times have changed, Firstly, with the explosion of medical knowledge, there’s really no way a doctor can keep up to date with all the changes which occur in medicine . Most doctors have become specialists, who know a lot about their own particular field , but understand very little about what’s happening in other areas . Unfortunately , patients don’t come with neatly packaged problems with well defined diagnostic labels. Most have more than one disease and will often have multiple problems. So while a gynecologist may know a lot about treating heavy menstrual periods , she may not know anything at all about the glaucoma which the patient also happens to have . Secondly, it’s become much easier for patients to become well informed about their medical problems . There is a wealth of reliable information available online – a lot of which is written for patients , and a lot of which is was written by patients. This helps patients to become experts on their problem , and armed with information therapy, they often know much more about their own diseases that the doctor will . Finally , it’s patients who are the experts on their own bodies. They have their own worldview, and know exactly how they want be treated as human beings – not something which a doctor can figure out within a 15 minute consultation !

More Read

How the Healthcare Industry Has Reduced Aggravation For Patients
Defending Tiered Health Plans
Ideas for Sustainable Health Bloom in the Arizona Desert
Why is There So Much Asthma Today?
The Big Free-Market Impact of the Affordable Care Act

Some doctors respect the fact that there are intelligent patients who are experts on their disease ; and are willing to listen to their opinion . They respect their patients and encourage them to provide inputs , so they can tailor the right treatment protocol for each individual patient. However , many doctors feel threatened by well informed patients . They will use pejorative statements , such as – Who’s the doctor here – you or me ? If you don’t like my advice , go find another doctor !” This is a very paternalistic approach which is a hangover from the past, and is not something which works well today .

However, there are patients who feel intimidated and threatened , and because they are scared of their doctor, they will passively listen to whatever the doctor dishes out. The truth is that there are often areas in which you are likely to know much more about your problem than your doctor; and you need to be respectful and share this information with your doctor , so you can work together as partners in your medical care.

photo:KunalMehta/Shutterstock

 
TAGGED:doctor/patient relationship
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

Racial Disparities in Health Care: The Hundred Years’ War

May 18, 2011
Image
Public Health

How to Find the Right Surgeon: Advice For Boomers

May 2, 2013

Extending the Frontiers: Working Despite Alzheimer’s and Campus Smoking Bans

September 1, 2011
Public Health

2012: The Year in HealthCare Charts

January 8, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?