Last Updated on April 20, 2024 by Partha Protim Choudhury
Dr Harshil Shah is MD Psychiatrist (from B.J. Medical College and Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad) following an MBBS (from GMERS Medical College and Civil Hospital, Gandhinagar). With expertise in diagnosing and treating a wide range of psychiatric disorders, he also specializes in de-addiction and psychosexual medicine. Besides, he is a certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) and holds a Master’s in Psychosexual Medicine (M.S PST) accredited by MasterHealth Pro Inc, USA. Currently, he works as an SR (Senior Resident) at B.J Medical college and Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad. With 4 years of grassroot experience and continuing, he says how medical misinformation eventually endangers the patient.
When a patient explains to you about their health problems, what are the most common mistakes they make in their communication?
The common mistake made by patient is that- not being clear about the symptoms and not mentioning all the symptoms, which even include some minute issues which if not addressed can lead to worsening of their health. Furthermore, if they are not following the advice regarding compliance and continuity of regular medicines, missing out on the dosage or not taking adequate dosage due to very trivial reasons, this can have a significant impact on their well-being.
What does health literacy mean to you, and why is it important in patient care?
Health literacy is extremely important as it means understanding and having knowledge about the health issues or disease they are going through. Simultaneously, understanding the cause behind the same and having knowledge regarding their own personal lifestyle and eating changes which can modify the course of illness, along with knowing the importance of following doctor’s advice concerning medications and other lifestyle changes that are prescribed. All these factors are the determinants of their and their relatives’ quality of health.
If a patient is knowledgeable about the basics of their health condition, how helpful is it for the overall treatment procedure?
If the patient is knowledgeable about their health, that means they will be more cautious. Being cautious is really important as it gives you a clear vision of your future treatment.
How much can medical misinformation impact treatment procedures?
Very much. Health or even medical misinformation includes various myths relating to medications and operative procedures, about which the patient lacks adequate knowledge. In terms of mental health, it includes beliefs like “psychiatric medications are harmful and addictive”, “they just put you to sleep” because of which the patients who actually need help are not able to come to us. Similarly, it is also true for various operative procedures which includes irrational fears, and hence not getting it done and rather staying ill.
What are the most common myths or misinformation you see your patients falling prey to?
The most common myths and misinformation prevalent in healthcare appears because of mistakes, here are a few of them:
1.Trusting quacks and non-qualified people pretending to be professionals and falling prey to their unnecessary promises.
2.Not having proper knowledge of medicines, especially psychiatric medicines and having myths like “it will become an addiction”, “its harmful”, “have to take lifelong”, etc.
3.Falling prey to promises which convey “quick relief and quick fix” rather than taking the whole course of treatment.
What is your most common advice to patients to stay away from health misinformation online?
There are many quacks and so-called health coaches online (social media, sites) who make fake promises when it comes to both physical and mental health. Kindly check the qualifications and only then rely upon it. Don’t trust any random social media video for the sake of treatment and rather always trust qualified medical professionals. These are the steppingstones to deter medical misinformation.
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