What to say when medical certainty is elusive

Doctors do not know everything. We make mistakes and mistakes in judgment. Sometimes we make the mistake of speaking when we should keep silent. At times, patients ask us questions that we can’t or shouldn’t answer; and yet we do. It shouldn’t be our objective to force certainly into an issue that is amorphous and murky. Here’s a response that I recommend in situations where certainty is elusive. “I don’t know.” I saw a patient for the first time when he was sent to me for a colonoscopy. Prior to the procedure, we interviewed him to be acquainted with his medical history. We are always particularly interested in the cardiac and pulmonary history, as these conditions impact on the risk of the procedures and the anesthesia. This patient had a lung resection. He related the details that left my staff and me aghast. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Physician Cancer GI Source Type: blogs