health
Doctors need to stop pretending to have all the answers. ‘I don’t know’ does not mean ‘I have nothing to offer’
Far from losing faith or questioning what kind of ‘proper’ doctor would admit they are ‘not sure’, patients seem to appreciate my vulnerability
TL;DR
- Medicine has seen remarkable advancements, transforming patient care and outcomes.
- Doctors, especially early in their careers, face challenges in answering nuanced patient questions about individual prognoses and treatment uncertainties.
- The author advocates for honesty about limitations, stating 'I don't know' followed by a commitment to support the patient is more effective than pretending to have all the answers.
- Patients often appreciate a doctor's vulnerability and honesty about uncertainty.
- Medical training should emphasize acknowledging limitations rather than perpetuating the 'mirage' of always having the answers.