The patient experience of doctors tend to be quite consistent. Doctors present themselves empathetic professionals who take everything that patients say at face value.
However, when you dig a little below the surface, you soon discover that the relationship is a little more complex than that. Doctor’s aren’t always as forthcoming as you might believe.
In this post, we take a look at some of the little secrets your doctor will never tell you.
They May Not Tell You That You’re Doomed
Doctors don’t always want to tell their patients that they are doomed. Instead, they will attempt to skirt around the issue, trying new therapies and offering hope.
However, in some cases, it is best for doctors to tell their patients that they will likely die. That’s because it gives the patient and their family time to prepare.
They Make Decisions Quickly
Doctors work under enormous time pressure. Therefore, they have to make decisions about patients quickly. Some statistical reports suggest that they may spend as little as 18 seconds looking over a case before settling on a course of action, something medical malpractice attorneys know about all too well.
Unfortunately, many diagnoses require significantly more investigation than that. Doctors need to explore all avenues, particularly for complex conditions such as fibromyalgia.
They Know When You Are Lying
Doctors also develop a sixth sense that can sense when a patient is lying to them. That’s because they know that patients don’t always want to be forthcoming about their medical conditions (or their personal habits).
They Won’t Tell You About Cheaper Alternatives
Some medical conditions require expensive treatments. However, most do not. In fact, the prevention and cure for most chronic diseases is actually just basic lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise.
Unfortunately, doctors don’t usually learn about these in medical school. Nutrition education, for instance, is around 60 minutes across a five-year course.
They Get Frustrated
Doctors get frustrated when their patients don’t do what they ask them to do. Simple things, such as taking a pill daily could save their life. But if patients won’t comply, it can leave them feeling exasperated.
Doctors won’t usually communicate this frustration with you, but it is almost always there to some degree.
They Don’t Have Time To Explain Everything
Doctors would like to spend more time with patients and explain to them why they are providing various treatments. However, because they have a long line of patients outside the door, they simply don’t have time. They would love to educate each and every patient, but there are so many others to process it’s difficult.
They Won’t Tell You What They Would Do
If you’re weighing up different treatment options, don’t expect your doctor to tell you what they’d do in your circumstance. Instead, they’ll just provide you with factual information that you can use to weigh up your options.
The reason they won’t tell you what they would do is because you are a different person from them. Your needs, lifestyles and preferences are not the same.
