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In many cases it is because the patient doesn't stay up to date on studies, or has such a limited understanding of medicine, that a discussion of such studies doesn't work well - and the docs have a schedule.
The medical profession, more so than almost all other professions stays up to date on studies, developments, etc. Doctors, as I am sure you are aware, are not "average" folks - they have always been brighter and better learners than their peers in elementary, high school, college, etc - and they are morally dedicated to their patients. This is why we trust them to make the best decisions for us. Do they make mistakes, sure ... is this because they aren't keeping up with studies and technology? No as likely.
My sense is that many who post and complain about their doctors, are not competent to do so - they are simply expressing an opinion. Sometimes patients may know something newer, but not normally.
Replies to "In many cases it is because the patient doesn't stay up to date on studies, or..."
mayoconnentuser1,
I don’t know whether to laugh or scream. I cannot believe that you referred to the patient (all of us) as “not competent.”
Doctors are not created equal. Someone graduated at the bottom of every medical school class.
I have a lot of doctors. On a scale of 1-10, I have a couple of tens, some fives, and the endocrinologist and the rheumatologist who treat me for osteoporosis- I know
More than one of them about the disease and the other one is too busy for me.
I find your assessment of the medical profession to be laughable in 2024.
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With all due respect, I could not disagree with you more. Based on working in health care for over 40 years, I can tell you that doctors are generally not more intelligent than people who have chosen other highly specialized professions. Like other professionals, they have worked hard for their degrees and (to be blunt) some are better than others. We can’t assume that all doctors are current in the latest research. I would encourage all people, if able, to do their own reading and ask questions of their peers (such as in this forum) and always ask questions of their doctors.
We are ultimately responsible for our own health and should be encouraged to do our own reading about our medical conditions and to ask our doctors about diagnoses and treatment plans. Many people are, in fact, competent enough to ask questions of their doctors and should expect explanations that they can understand.
Doctors, like the rest of us, are human and make mistakes despite their best efforts. We all share responsibility with our doctors for ensuring that our treatment plans make sense to us and meet our needs.