NEW BOOK: How To Think Like A Doctor

[maryok]

There was a doctor on the Colbert Report the other night promoting his new book: How To Think Like A Doctor. While the book isn't written as a criticism of doctors, he did give an interesting insight:

He said that even the best doctors have a problematic tendency to make assumptions/jump to conclusions about symptoms -- before doing the necessary homework, testing, etc. He calls it "going with their gut." Now where have we seen that before?

[maryok]

There was a doctor on the Colbert Report the other night promoting his new book: How To Think Like A Doctor. While the book isn't written as a criticism of doctors, he did give an interesting insight:

He said that even the best doctors have a problematic tendency to make assumptions/jump to conclusions about symptoms -- before doing the necessary homework, testing, etc. He calls it "going with their gut." Now where have we seen that before?

[linnysue]

Sounds like the two dermatologists I saw.

[linnysue]

Sounds like the two dermatologists I saw.

[beverlybdmd]

I think that since most of us have a skin disease, so that we have probably noticed this MORE than the general public, but it IS a trend that was becoming MORE & more true, even when I was in training: How often do you go see a doctor--any doctor--and they take a history, but NEVER do ANY sort of actual physical exam? or even touch you?!

Every time I have worked with medical students,or P.A.'s or residents or anyone in training, the advice that I have ALWAYS given:

1) Make eye contact while they are answering your questions and telling you their problems, so that they KNOW you are listening and have heard them.

2) Touch your patients and examine where-ever they say they have problems--EVEN if you already know for SURE what is wrong. (Their sister has a positive culture for strep throat, and their throat hurts. You may just find a fish bone.) BEFORE you tell them what you think. Just being touched by a physician is part of healing someone and gaining their trust.

IF your doctors aren't doing this, then they are too busy; and they are forgetting about the essential healing relationship of how a physician & patient works together. Touching someone takes less than 5 minutes at MOST, and may be essential.

[beverlybdmd]

I think that since most of us have a skin disease, so that we have probably noticed this MORE than the general public, but it IS a trend that was becoming MORE & more true, even when I was in training: How often do you go see a doctor--any doctor--and they take a history, but NEVER do ANY sort of actual physical exam? or even touch you?!

Every time I have worked with medical students,or P.A.'s or residents or anyone in training, the advice that I have ALWAYS given:

1) Make eye contact while they are answering your questions and telling you their problems, so that they KNOW you are listening and have heard them.

2) Touch your patients and examine where-ever they say they have problems--EVEN if you already know for SURE what is wrong. (Their sister has a positive culture for strep throat, and their throat hurts. You may just find a fish bone.) BEFORE you tell them what you think. Just being touched by a physician is part of healing someone and gaining their trust.

IF your doctors aren't doing this, then they are too busy; and they are forgetting about the essential healing relationship of how a physician & patient works together. Touching someone takes less than 5 minutes at MOST, and may be essential.

[Franky]

Mary and Beverly great points there. Beverly those statements rang a bell in me from going to the doctors when I was younger. I think for the most part, it does make a difference to most people.

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Mary I guess we can conclude that to many doctors are "going with their gut" when it comes to morgellons care. I bet that when my friend filled out the symptoms form, they had made up their minds even before talking to my buddy. It sure did seem like it to him, as i recall him telling me.

[Franky]

Mary and Beverly great points there. Beverly those statements rang a bell in me from going to the doctors when I was younger. I think for the most part, it does make a difference to most people.

----------------

Mary I guess we can conclude that to many doctors are "going with their gut" when it comes to morgellons care. I bet that when my friend filled out the symptoms form, they had made up their minds even before talking to my buddy. It sure did seem like it to him, as i recall him telling me.

[standswfist]

No offense but I think I might have to slap myself if ever I thought like a doctor.

I prefer to think the Alternative Medicine Way. .....GO BURTON GOLDBERG!!!!!!

http://www.alternativemedicine.com

[standswfist]

No offense but I think I might have to slap myself if ever I thought like a doctor.

I prefer to think the Alternative Medicine Way. .....GO BURTON GOLDBERG!!!!!!

http://www.alternativemedicine.com