Last Updated on February 20, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
With over eight years of experience, Dr Pradeep Rajanna is currently the In-charge & Consultant of Accident & Emergency Department at Manipal Hospital Mysore.
What is the best thing you enjoy about treating patients?
In this profession, I get to use my expertise in providing medical care to people who need it. This is something that I like the most.
When is a patient easy to treat?
When patients have faith in their doctor or expert, it is much easier to treat them. Trust is an essential component of the relationship between a patient and their doctor. It enables patients to effectively discuss their health issues and follow the doctor’s advice. This type of behavior not only increases their knowledge but also protects them from misinformation.
When is a patient difficult to treat?
Patients become difficult to treat when they believe they know more than their doctors. Some patients have lost faith in their doctors as a result of something they read or saw on the internet. Another group of patients does not consult their doctors unless the situation becomes extremely serious. These patients make our job difficult at times.)
How helpful is it to the treatment course, if the patient is knowledgeable about the treatment procedure, benefits, risks etc.?
It is definitely helpful. Nevertheless, I believe it depends on the type of problem, source of the information, and the patient’s attitude. There are two sides to this. Many a times, patients gather information and meet their doctor and discuss about it and listen to their advice. This allows for further discussions. However, some people believe that they do not need to see a doctor and try to make changes on their own using the information they obtain from the internet or elsewhere.
How can a patient improve their knowledge about the treatment procedure?
Apart from consulting a doctor, patients can improve their knowledge by reading books or information available on reliable sources on the internet. However, before blindly following anything said there, they should obtain information about the qualification of the person delivering the content. Also, they should always discuss about the information they gathered with their doctor.
How medical misinformation act as a problem in the overall treatment procedure?
Medical misinformation is a major issue. We receive patients who have got themselves into trouble by following such misinformation. I’ve seen cases where patients make decisions during critical situations or make choices that are deemed inappropriate based on the misinformation from the internet or something that a friend or neighbor experienced or suggested. These long chains of misinformation and communication gaps complicate simple tasks, resulting in more complicated situations and poorer outcomes.
A few advice that you always give to your patients…
I suggest my patients to concentrate on their physical and emotional well-being. You should take care of yourself and develop long-term healthy habits. You don’t have to give up your favorite foods to stay healthy. Rather, you should strive for a proper nutrient balance. Consume minimally processed foods, add color to your plate, and prioritize seasonal, traditional, and local foods. Exercise and get plenty of rest. Don’t forget to stay hydrated. Most importantly, before following any content on the internet, check to see if it is trustworthy and authentic. Always go back to your healthcare expert to discuss your concerns.
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