Why you get better care when you stop nodding and start asking why
Doctors are trained to approach illness in a particular way — whereas what you want out of treatment may be vastly different. When this is not discussed, a large mismatch in expectations can develop, resulting in a trust deficit, and ultimately, disappointment
Priya visits an orthopaedician's clinic with persistent knee pain. The doctor examines her knee, orders an MRI, and suggests three treatment options: injections, physiotherapy or monitoring. Priya nods without questioning why an MRI was needed when the doctor could have inspected her knee, and does not inquire about the meaning of 'early osteoarthritis' or the consequences of doing nothing.
She chooses injections based on how she perceived the doctor's suggestion. Six months later, Priya has spent ₹15,000 and her pain has not improved. She begins to doubt whether her decision was correct and wonders if injections were the right choice.
A doctor's examination of a patient's knee reveals a probability of osteoarthritis of 40%, a meniscal tear at 30%, and a muscle strain at 20%. However, there is also a 10% chance it could be something else. The MRI does not necessarily indicate that the imaging is the cause of pain. Many individuals have degenerative changes without experiencing pain, while others with minimal changes suffer from significant discomfort.
The doctor interprets the image, makes an educated guess, and recommends treatment. Another doctor might opt for physiotherapy first, while a third might suggest leaving the degeneration to progress naturally. All interpretations are based on the doctor's experience, training, risk tolerance, and the resources available in their practice.
Understanding that there is no definitive right answer, patients must take an active role in decision-making. They should demand clarity on the usefulness of tests, the possible outcomes of abnormal or normal results, the treatment options, and the guidelines for managing the condition. By doing so, patients can foster trust with their doctors and make informed choices about their healthcare.
If a patient is confused during their consultation, they should not hesitate to ask for clarification or rephrase the explanation until they understand. A helpful question for major treatments could be, "What would you do if this was your mother's knee?" This approach encourages doctors to consider the patient's unique circumstances, life, and ability to handle side effects.
If a patient follows a prescribed plan but experiences no improvement, they should have a follow-up conversation with their doctor to discuss potential reasons for the lack of progress.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
