Comment by SoftwareMaven | Hacker News Reader

Comment by SoftwareMaven | Hacker News Reader

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I think perhaps we are thinking different things by "take control", and perhaps "get heavily involved" would be a better way to phrase it. Ask questions, do research, and discuss treatment options. It's also important to know your own limitations (and confirmation bias is always a human limitation).

While I feel comfortable with my knowledge in certain areas[1], I definitely don't have the breadth of knowledge a doctor does (and the more specialized the doctor, the more true that is). But even in that situation, after a visit to the doctor, it's time to hit the books and understand what is really going on, what the current state of research is, and what options exist.

1. Yes, I do believe there are certain, narrow areas where I am more knowledgable than the average doctor, but these are areas that are, unfortunately, not covered well in medical school. I consider it unfortunate because they are also areas (most likely) underlying much of the chronic illness in the US and other Western countries.

While this is something that may be possible for you, I think what the parent is saying is that most people lack not only the desire and willingness to do their own research, but also the general knowledge of the topics to fully comprehend what it is they're reading.

While doctors do typically go to school for a more 'general' understanding of any given disease, they still have a great more background on the subject than the average person, which probably helps them differentiate (to an extent) between the signal and noise of any given research paper that someone researching may come across.

The same could very much be said about software. To a non-technical person, searching about 'why you should use Windows vs Mac' could be pretty fruitless. Sure, there's plenty of information available, and numbers can easily support one or the other, but do you actually know what those numbers represent?

Now, I'm not saying that patients shouldn't be able to see their records, nor that they shouldn't spend the time learning about any conditions they may have (though I won't claim that I have), but I don't think we should discredit the knowledge that your average doctor has about your health.

Distrust of your healthcare provider isn't exactly healthy either. And again, as to your last point, can you elaborate? I'm assuming your referencing something to do with depression and obesity, as you mentioned in your original comment, but you haven't really mentioned what it is they're failing at.

I'm not suggesting anybody to distrust their medical provider, and I disagree that it is anything like software. This is your body. It is your life. It is your health. Nobody cares as much about you as you do.

If you distrust your healthcare provider, find a new one. But if your healthcare provider does respect you and your needs, isn't willing to answer your questions, then I also think you should find a new one.

And, as I've said elsewhere, I am not discrediting their knowledge. I'm recognizing that their knowledge, like any person's, is bounded. They have to care about hundreds of patients with hundreds of conditions. You have the opportunity to care about yourself. Take it.

That is right. Some patients are quick to see a conspiracy when doctors can't cure them. But some diseases are just outside the capabilities of current medicine. It sounds like you suffer from something like metabolic syndrome. It's a deadly serious disease that's unfortunately common, and one that has no cure (as with any chronic disease).

>>existential fear resulting from the balance of power between patient and doctor than anything else

It's the most elemental fear of all, I think. It's the fear of one's own mortality. Would the doctor-patient relationship be so fraught otherwise?

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