Ignorance is not as blissful as you might think.
There is a nasty phenomenon that pervades healthcare. The idea that a patient may have an opinion, or more worryingly - a valid opinion - and that this represents a challenge to a medical professional's authority.
In fact, in most organisational structures a wide variety of opinions and ideas is usually an indication that the system is healthy. The best ideas tend to win through, but a diverse number of ideas from a variety of directions is to be valued, not feared. To have an differing opinion is not necessarily to challenge the authority of another in the structure.
I mention this having heard yet another client describe their visit to a doctor. The patient was told what was wrong with her, following an examination. She disagreed. She was told that she was not a professional, and it was made clear that her opinion was of no value. The doctor rounded this off by saying, "and don't go looking up your symptoms on the net, and telling me I'm wrong."
As I listened to the client describe the situation I was reminded of my history studies. In the period before the reformation priests used to say to commoners 'don't try to understand theology', and most religious services were held in Latin, precisely to make spirituality inaccessible. To me this is very much like a doctor telling a patient not to learn about their health, online or elsewhere. Anyone, doctor or otherwise, telling us not to educate ourselves has to be met with the deepest suspicion.
Knowledge of any kind can be used badly. In the case of religious extremism it is likely that the kernel of spiritual message has been twisted out of shape by the person looking for knowledge. In the case of medical knowledge, there is equally a risk it can be taken in the wrong context. However, generally people are not fanatics, and they are not stupid. Most people are quite capable of managing their religious beliefs, or their health intelligently.
The fact is, many visits to doctors are unnecessary. They take up precious time and overload a system already hopelessly overburdened. This is not to say it's ok to ignore serious issues. It's simply a suggestion that people do take some responsibility for themselves, and educating themselves about their health.
My client did see another doctor, who offered an entirely different opinion, a different prescription and completely different explanation. The first had said it was a liver issue, the second a muscular issue to do with her lower back (and prescribed a powerful pain killer). As it was she found that after attending a restorative yoga class the symptoms went away and have not returned three months down the road.
So, yes, go out there and look up your symptoms. Learn what foods are good for you. Learn what practices may alleviate back pain. And when a doctor tells you not to educate yourself, do the right thing... Find a better doctor.
In fact, in most organisational structures a wide variety of opinions and ideas is usually an indication that the system is healthy. The best ideas tend to win through, but a diverse number of ideas from a variety of directions is to be valued, not feared. To have an differing opinion is not necessarily to challenge the authority of another in the structure.I mention this having heard yet another client describe their visit to a doctor. The patient was told what was wrong with her, following an examination. She disagreed. She was told that she was not a professional, and it was made clear that her opinion was of no value. The doctor rounded this off by saying, "and don't go looking up your symptoms on the net, and telling me I'm wrong."
As I listened to the client describe the situation I was reminded of my history studies. In the period before the reformation priests used to say to commoners 'don't try to understand theology', and most religious services were held in Latin, precisely to make spirituality inaccessible. To me this is very much like a doctor telling a patient not to learn about their health, online or elsewhere. Anyone, doctor or otherwise, telling us not to educate ourselves has to be met with the deepest suspicion.
Knowledge of any kind can be used badly. In the case of religious extremism it is likely that the kernel of spiritual message has been twisted out of shape by the person looking for knowledge. In the case of medical knowledge, there is equally a risk it can be taken in the wrong context. However, generally people are not fanatics, and they are not stupid. Most people are quite capable of managing their religious beliefs, or their health intelligently.
The fact is, many visits to doctors are unnecessary. They take up precious time and overload a system already hopelessly overburdened. This is not to say it's ok to ignore serious issues. It's simply a suggestion that people do take some responsibility for themselves, and educating themselves about their health.
My client did see another doctor, who offered an entirely different opinion, a different prescription and completely different explanation. The first had said it was a liver issue, the second a muscular issue to do with her lower back (and prescribed a powerful pain killer). As it was she found that after attending a restorative yoga class the symptoms went away and have not returned three months down the road.
So, yes, go out there and look up your symptoms. Learn what foods are good for you. Learn what practices may alleviate back pain. And when a doctor tells you not to educate yourself, do the right thing... Find a better doctor.
Comments
Post a Comment