I once heard a podcasts about the medical community and a bunch of doctors basically admitted that part of their job is guessing. Since a lot of symptoms match up with a lot of things, they have to do their best to figure out which way to go for testing and diagnosing. This is why some people can go through many doctors before they finally get the correct diagnosis. Also helps if you have great insurance or a lot of money as these things aren’t cheap.
At the end of the day, doctors are humans, and some are better than others and most can only do so much with what they’re presented with. I once had a friend who complained of vertigo and kept being shuffled between her general practitioner and an ENT specialist. Finally, one of them told her it was a neurological issue, so she went there. Turns out she had lung cancer that metastasized to her brain which is what cause her “vertigo”. She died months later as the cancer was too far advanced.
I practiced 38 years as a chiropractor. The longer I practiced, the more I realized the complexity of health issues. I had a patient who had hip pain. I discussed all the various problems that could be contributing to her symptoms. I told her there would probably be no simple silver bullet solution.
Later in the week, she comes in and says, “I can’t understand why my massage therapist knows what my problem is and you don’t. She figured it out right away. She said I have a pulled muscle.”
The certainty of amateurs is the envy of professionals.
My dermatologist made that “tsk, tsk” sound then disappeared for half an hour to do research. He told me to continue with the cortisone cream for another year. I said, “As long as it isn’t something they are going to name after me.”
Nicole ♫ ⊱✿ ◕‿◕✿⊰♫ Premium Member over 3 years ago
I once heard a podcasts about the medical community and a bunch of doctors basically admitted that part of their job is guessing. Since a lot of symptoms match up with a lot of things, they have to do their best to figure out which way to go for testing and diagnosing. This is why some people can go through many doctors before they finally get the correct diagnosis. Also helps if you have great insurance or a lot of money as these things aren’t cheap.
At the end of the day, doctors are humans, and some are better than others and most can only do so much with what they’re presented with. I once had a friend who complained of vertigo and kept being shuffled between her general practitioner and an ENT specialist. Finally, one of them told her it was a neurological issue, so she went there. Turns out she had lung cancer that metastasized to her brain which is what cause her “vertigo”. She died months later as the cancer was too far advanced.
Doug K over 3 years ago
“I’m sure it’s not a crisis. It will be a challenge.”
“I tell you what, ’Let’s circle back on this.’”
Nyckname over 3 years ago
To Google!!
J Short over 3 years ago
I practiced 38 years as a chiropractor. The longer I practiced, the more I realized the complexity of health issues. I had a patient who had hip pain. I discussed all the various problems that could be contributing to her symptoms. I told her there would probably be no simple silver bullet solution.
Later in the week, she comes in and says, “I can’t understand why my massage therapist knows what my problem is and you don’t. She figured it out right away. She said I have a pulled muscle.”
The certainty of amateurs is the envy of professionals.
mistercatworks over 3 years ago
My dermatologist made that “tsk, tsk” sound then disappeared for half an hour to do research. He told me to continue with the cortisone cream for another year. I said, “As long as it isn’t something they are going to name after me.”
I wish he’d laughed.
Brent Rosenthal Premium Member over 3 years ago
I guarantee ya Doc. It’s way more disconcerting to your patient.
WCraft Premium Member over 3 years ago
Don’t feel bad. People with even more advanced degrees have all been scratching their heads the past 2 years.
ferddo over 3 years ago
Not as disconcerting as it is to the patient hearing you say that…