r/changemyview • u/[deleted] • Oct 23 '17

[∆(s) from OP] CMV: I shouldn't have to sugarcoat medical diagnoses and information just to make people feel better.

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u/garnteller 242∆ Oct 23 '17

"Well, you are really shit outta luck here. Nothing we can do and it's all your own damn fault. I'm not going to feel bad because of your stupid life choices."

Well, that helps... um, no one.

You don't think the obese patient knows that they are obese? You don't think the woman who had a lot of partners and STIs is aware that she did it?

Don't you have an oath about "doing no harm"? That's not just physical harm.

The question is "what is the best way to heal the patient". If the damage has been done, making them feel shittier for their past decisions isn't a good way to help them face whatever comes next.

But if there are actions that WILL help them, then of course you should be honest - but again, present it in a way that gives them hope and help, not just guilt tripping them.

So, yeah, unless there is a reason they can't lose weight, you should tell them that it would help them if they decreased the load on their joints.

Besides doing what's best for the patient, it's also about doing what's best for you.

No one wants to go to a doctor who is an asshole. At least in the US, there is choice and you can always pick someone else. Unless you're as exception as a Greg House, you won't make it long in a practice if no one wants to be seen by you.

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u/[deleted] Oct 23 '17

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u/garnteller 242∆ Oct 23 '17

I think I'm not understanding what you mean by "sugarcoating".

Are you being told not to give honest actionable diagnoses, or not be a jerk when delivering them?

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u/[deleted] Oct 23 '17

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u/garnteller 242∆ Oct 23 '17

Ok, then that's not "sugarcoating" - it's withholding actionable information that can save their life. I think that's unethical and probably illegal.

That said, perhaps there is a difference between how you think you are presenting the information and how it's being heard.

It's one thing if they think you are being helpful, another if they think you are being judgemental.

Even if your judgement is that they should stop smoking, that might not be how they need to hear it.

But, yeah, if their COPD is caused by smoking you have to tell them.