playing dumb
Dunno about you all, but I NEVER want someone to know exactly what I know. I always play dumb.
I can't tell you how many patients come in to see me, using the wrong terms and making statements like:
"My mucus is yellow, which proves I need antibiotics."
"Sometimes my bones ache, that's a sign of phosphorus deficiency. That's how I know I need it." (a response to "why do you take such a high dose of phosphorus daily?")
They're not asking btw, they're telling me these statements as if they're facts. Are such statements meant to impress me? To convince me? When it's completely false yet delivered with such certainty, do I try to correct or educate the patient? What would be the point exactly? I tend to think people will listen to you if you agree, but simply dismiss you as "wrong" if you disagree with them. Takes a very intelligent person to truly listen to someone else's disagreeing viewpoint and take it to heart.
So a lot of times, I don't correct people. I like to question them "into a corner", and then suggest they do a lot more research. Like:
So, how does low phosphorus make your bones ache?
I read that it helps your bones absorb calcium.
So if you have low calcium, does that make bones hurt?
Sure, why wouldn't it?
How are your bones innervated such that low calcium stimulates the pain nerves?
Well I don't know.
Don't you think, before you put such high doses of something in your body, you should know that? You've only got one body. I strongly suggest you hold off on these supplements until you know the answer to this. A LOT of things can cause bone pain, and I don't think it's your phosphorus.
Okay, guess I can do that.
Then I document that I advised the patient to stop. But I truly don't care if he does...when he puts his Potassium out of whack with his crazy supplementation, stops his heart and dies, and the family comes to sue, I've documented that I tried to talk him out of it.
BUT I haven't antagonized the patient, and from a "customer service" standpoint he'll keep coming back and maybe recommend friends. I'm exaggerating - when it's something dangerous that can kill someone, I'll explain why. But if it's something where the patient is old, set in their ways, and their misinformation won't really hurt them...I let 'em believe whatever. Because who knows? In 20 years maybe what's taught will change. It's happened many times before. They used to have heart attack patients have complete bed rest 50 years ago.
Me, when I'm in the presence of an expert in consultation for something that I want to know about, I will not offer a single thing I know and ask to be educated from the ground up. I don't want anyone to know what I know....I could be wrong! When patients come to me with a "can you please educate me, I've googled myself into a frenzy of worry," then I will gladly take the time to share things as I've been taught. I mean, that's part of the job.
I have a lot more respect for folks who can admit that they may not know everything...takes a smart and secure person.
I can't tell you how many patients come in to see me, using the wrong terms and making statements like:
"My mucus is yellow, which proves I need antibiotics."
"Sometimes my bones ache, that's a sign of phosphorus deficiency. That's how I know I need it." (a response to "why do you take such a high dose of phosphorus daily?")
They're not asking btw, they're telling me these statements as if they're facts. Are such statements meant to impress me? To convince me? When it's completely false yet delivered with such certainty, do I try to correct or educate the patient? What would be the point exactly? I tend to think people will listen to you if you agree, but simply dismiss you as "wrong" if you disagree with them. Takes a very intelligent person to truly listen to someone else's disagreeing viewpoint and take it to heart.
So a lot of times, I don't correct people. I like to question them "into a corner", and then suggest they do a lot more research. Like:
So, how does low phosphorus make your bones ache?
I read that it helps your bones absorb calcium.
So if you have low calcium, does that make bones hurt?
Sure, why wouldn't it?
How are your bones innervated such that low calcium stimulates the pain nerves?
Well I don't know.
Don't you think, before you put such high doses of something in your body, you should know that? You've only got one body. I strongly suggest you hold off on these supplements until you know the answer to this. A LOT of things can cause bone pain, and I don't think it's your phosphorus.
Okay, guess I can do that.
Then I document that I advised the patient to stop. But I truly don't care if he does...when he puts his Potassium out of whack with his crazy supplementation, stops his heart and dies, and the family comes to sue, I've documented that I tried to talk him out of it.
BUT I haven't antagonized the patient, and from a "customer service" standpoint he'll keep coming back and maybe recommend friends. I'm exaggerating - when it's something dangerous that can kill someone, I'll explain why. But if it's something where the patient is old, set in their ways, and their misinformation won't really hurt them...I let 'em believe whatever. Because who knows? In 20 years maybe what's taught will change. It's happened many times before. They used to have heart attack patients have complete bed rest 50 years ago.
Me, when I'm in the presence of an expert in consultation for something that I want to know about, I will not offer a single thing I know and ask to be educated from the ground up. I don't want anyone to know what I know....I could be wrong! When patients come to me with a "can you please educate me, I've googled myself into a frenzy of worry," then I will gladly take the time to share things as I've been taught. I mean, that's part of the job.
I have a lot more respect for folks who can admit that they may not know everything...takes a smart and secure person.