We are better doctors when we become teachers
Key Takeaways
About a year ago, I began evaluating how much my patients knew about their health issues and educating them accordingly. The experience has transformed the way I practice and I believe widespread use of this approach will transform healthcare.
I heard an interview with Dr. Mehmet Oz in which he mentioned that the origin of the word doctor is the Latin word for teacher. I was taken aback. Thinking of myself as a teacher when interacting with patients was a new concept. After observing colleagues and deception of physicians in the media, I concluded that the concept also must be unfamiliar to other doctors and the public. Our general ineffectiveness as teachers is evident when talking with patients.
I have encountered few individuals who understand their health conditions. Many are resigned to the “doctor knows best” mindset and blindly obey whatever recommendations they receive. Or worse, they believe doctors and the healthcare system are about making money and cheating them. They feel disempowered and lose interest in managing their care. This is a concerning trend — especially among the Medicaid/Medicare population in my area.
Teachers clear up misconceptions
Education has helped alleviate this. When reviewing medications, I ask patients if they know why they are taking them. It has been startling to see that the majority of individuals I see are unclear on or are completely unaware of the indication for most if not all of their medications. Many say they’ve been on these prescriptions for years. I help them understand why. During the discussion, I ascertain their knowledge of their conditions.
My findings have been eye-opening. Most have misconceptions of what their diagnosis entails while others are clueless. We review the disease process and discuss how it relates to them. Unfortunately, not everyone is receptive, however most have listened at least briefly, which I believe has some merit. Many have said that they never received information about their diagnoses and, moreover, have never had someone elucidate the facts with them. It has also inspired quite a few to begin their own research and continue their self-education.
Thankfully, I have the luxury of time for assessments and the benefit of interacting with patients in the familiar and comfortable environments of their home or workplace. However, I believe a shift in focus can make this available in any clinical setting.
Building patient-doctor partnerships as teachers
We should stop looking for ways to build Doctor-Patient relationships and instead start fostering and strengthening Patient-Doctor partnerships. We as physicians are serving our patients and providing them with our expertise to manage their health. However, it seems like many believe the opposite — either doctors are all-knowing and shouldn’t be challenged or questioned, or doctors are selfish, arrogant pill-pushers who can’t be trusted.