What to do about "Mixed Messages" in Medicine
What do you know about the sending of "mixed messages" to the public and patients by the medical profession either from the government, institutions or from individual physicians? I might define a "mixed message" as virtually advice or education based on one view and at the same time presenting advice or demonstrating behavior of an opposing view. Such "mixed messages" can range from issues such as over-weight physicians advising weight control to their patients, medical institutions advising influenza immunizations to patients but a large proportion of the institution's staff rejecting immunization, a governmental medical agency advising against routine mammograms before age 50 and in contrast to other cancer specialty groups advising mammograms at an earlier age. Even in the critical care unit, the attending physician may recommend to family the reduction of energetic supportive treatment in a end-stage ill patient whereas specialists on the case may encourage further supportive treatments.
As patients, families of patients or just plain citizens who want to stay healthy and need to be educated about matters medical, how should we handle the issue of receiving "mixed messages" from those who we look to for clear information to make our decisions? Or should we just resign ourselves that this is only part of the human condition, a fact of life and we should simply live with it. (..or occasionally die with it.) ..Maurice.
posted by Maurice Bernstein, M.D. @ 10:08:00 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
This is an excellent question. It's one, I believe will become a larger issue as we continue toward evidence-based medicine. There will be more medical professionals recommending procedures that they personally oppose. We cannot stop medical professionals from being human. They're going to have their opinions. So, I think that this is something we patients are simply going to have to get used to.
Yes, it smacks of hypocrisy and fuels conspiracy theorists; but there is little practical alternative. People will need to get more open-minded. That overweight physician? Who's to say he/she has not just lost 100 lbs and is trying to lose 100 more. That physician with tobacco breath who's telling you to quit smoking? Who's to say he/she hasn't just relapsed after years smoke-free. Physicians and nurses are human and they are going to struggle with weight and bad habits just like anyone else.
-Onion
Onion and others, what do you think about the role of the internet regarding mixed medical messages? Do you think the internet simply compounds the harm of the mixed messages provided the public by the news media and the physicians or can it provide a mechanism to clarify and separate the wheat from the chaff? As an aficionado of the internet, what would be your response to this question? ..Maurice.
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