By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    improving patient experience
    6 Ways to Improve Patient Satisfaction Within Hospitals
    December 1, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    What Are The Health Benefits Of Having A Degree?
    March 9, 2022
    custom software development is changing healthcare
    Digital Customer Journey Mapping and its Importance for Healthcare
    July 21, 2022
    Latest News
    5 Reasons to Consider Drinking Sparkling Water
    June 8, 2023
    What Are the Different Categories of Medical Supplies?
    June 8, 2023
    Meal Delivery Services Can Promote Healthy Eating Habits
    June 8, 2023
    Getting Back in the Game: Sports Injuries Rehabilitation Tips
    May 31, 2023
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    tips to get compensation after becoming a victim of medical malpractice
    Steps to Take After Becoming a Victim of Medical Malpractice
    July 17, 2022
    85 Year Old Surgeon Gets 3 Years Probation in Death of Patient Under Going Cosmetic Surgery
    August 23, 2017
    Panacea Dreamin’
    September 11, 2017
    Latest News
    Transparency and Ethics in Medical Residency Placement
    June 8, 2023
    MRI Sedation Options: What You Should Know Before Screening
    May 17, 2023
    What is the Process of Creating Medicine from Nature?
    May 2, 2023
    Choosing the Right Treatment Option for Varicose Veins
    May 2, 2023
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: When Patients Know More Than Their Doctors
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Aa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Aa
Search
Have an existing account? Sign In
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
Last updated: 2012/04/10 at 2:59 AM
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

Medicine Doctor

5 Compelling Reasons to See a Functional Medicine Doctor

Examining Whether Socialized Medicine Will Ever Happen in America
Creating an effective care plan: The ultimate guide
7 Incredibly Important Benefits of Purchasing Health Insurance
3 Ways to Improve Your Health That Have Nothing to Do With Diet and Exercise

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

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
malpani April 10, 2012
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Share
Previous Article Wanted: A Youth Party to Tackle Health Care
Next Article Image Pain Management and Telemedicine

Stay Connected

1.5k Followers Like
4.5k Followers Follow
2.8k Followers Pin
136k Subscribers Subscribe

Latest News

medical residency ethics
Transparency and Ethics in Medical Residency Placement
Medicare June 8, 2023
weight loss
From Pills To Procedures: A Comprehensive Guide To Medical Weight Loss
Weight Loss June 8, 2023
sparkling water health benefits
5 Reasons to Consider Drinking Sparkling Water
News June 8, 2023
skin allergy causes
What Are The Common Triggers Of Skin Allergy?
Allergy June 8, 2023

You Might also Like

Health carePublic Health

Do You Need Life Insurance? What Does It Cover?

December 23, 2022

Do I Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits if I Got Injured on My Way to Work?

August 23, 2022
Right Medicare Supplement Plan
Health carePublic Health

What If You Need Emergency Care and Don’t Have Insurance?

February 15, 2022
Psychiatrists are now working online
Global HealthcareHealth ReformMental HealthPolicy & LawPublic Health

Psychiatrists Now Working Online: How the Mental Healthcare Industry Is Evolving

December 12, 2021
//

We influence million of users and is the most authentic source of information on healthcare business and technology news.

Quick Links

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Follow US

© 2008-2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?