Why Do Doctors Never Believe Their Patients?
When it comes to seeking medical advice, patients initially believe their own narrative of symptoms, often leading them to think they know what’s wrong with them. However, the reality is that a doctor’s role isn’t just to listen but to accurately diagnose and treat the underlying condition. This requires a combination of listening skills, contextual understanding, and empirical knowledge that isn’t always evident to the patient.
A good doctor listens to 100 of what a patient says. A great doctor understands that 50 of what the patient says might be true. An exceptional doctor can work out which 50 is true. However, this doesn’t mean that the doctor automatically believes the patient. In fact, some doctors may not be particularly good listeners; it’s not a mandatory requirement to gain admission into medical school. Some patients ramble on at length and never get to something useful, while others provide information that makes one wonder if they are trying to pull a prank.
Common Challenges in Patient-Doctor Communication
Doctors often encounter patients who have self-diagnosed either through "gut feelings" or websites like webMD, and are convinced they are correct to the point of ignoring the doctor’s advice. Another common scenario is when patients present symptoms after attempting dubious home remedies that should have been obvious to any reasonably intelligent person to be a bad idea. This leads to a disregard of the patient's opinion by the doctor, as the doctor may view the patient as just another individual seeking care. If the doctor is not listening to your description of symptoms, there could be numerous reasons behind it. It is recommended to seek a second opinion. If the second doctor agrees, consider a new primary care physician through your insurance. If further opinions continue to align, it might indicate the need for a specialist in the specific area or a consultation with a mental health professional.
Why the Doctor Disregards the Patient?
Simply put, doctors are not interested in a layman’s interpretation of the complex medical texts they have studied for years. They are also not interested in the patient’s "thoughts" regarding what they might have. Instead, they are interested in facts, symptoms, and observations. This is what allows their extensive training and experience to take over, allowing them to diagnose the most probable issue affecting the patient. This kind of diagnosis is often what the patient lacks, as they do not possess the expertise that a trained doctor has.
Would you build yourself a plane to fly around the world in if you had no engineering knowledge or experience? The same logic applies to medical treatment. A doctor’s role is to use their extensive education and practical experience to guide the patient towards the best possible outcome, not to accept the patient's self-diagnosis as truth without further investigation.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the doctor’s role is to provide accurate and evidence-based medical advice. It's important for patients to understand that their doctor is not disregarding their experience but rather using their expertise to guide accurate diagnosis and treatment. If you feel your symptoms are not being taken seriously, it is important to seek a second opinion, as the collective professional expertise of multiple doctors can often provide the best course of action.