Dr Amrut Hirulal Basava is an MBBS, MS (General Surgery) and has obtained an PhD in Medical Research (Proctology). With 6 years of experience behind, he currently serves as a General Surgeon at Shreeya Multispecialty Hospital, Dharwad, Karnataka. He stresses on how misinformation hinders patient care and why it is important to deter them.
When a patient explains to you about their health problems, what are the most common mistakes they make in their communication?
One common error most patients make when communicating with a doctor is occasionally withholding valuable info about their medical history or the tendencies to hide their symptoms.
What does health literacy mean to you, and why is it important in patient care?
Health literacy is the ability to understand and utilize health information and services to make appropriate health-related decisions. Health literacy is the aim of health education, which is an important aspect of preventive medicine. It is of utmost importance in patient care as it encourages the patients to seek timely medical consultation get appropriately treated for their diseases and overcome them.
If a patient is knowledgeable about the basics of their health condition, how helpful is it for the overall treatment procedure?
When a patient is well-informed it becomes easier for the patient to understand the gravity of his/her/their disease. Their awareness leads to early diagnosis and treatment of the disease. At the same time, potential complications can be reduced or prevented.
How much can medical misinformation impact treatment procedures?
Misinformation in the medical field can result in patients hesitating to seek consultations with doctors. Moreover, misunderstandings regarding surgical procedures can instill a fear of surgery, causing patients to ignore or endure their condition without seeking medical intervention. This negligence can have life-threatening consequences.
What are the most common myths or misinformation you see your patients falling prey to?
There are certain myths about surgery which makes them (the patients) reluctant toward the option of surgery. For example, many patients have an inherent belief that undergoing surgery in piles can lead to fecal incontinence. So, they fear surgery. Whereas in our practice we have seldom noted such outcomes.
What is your most common advice to patients to stay away from health misinformation online?
Always seek health information from trusted and genuine sources. Do not rely on the internet search completely. Always clear your doubts from an experienced doctor. Last but not least, never hesitate for a doctor’s consultation, even for a minor health issue. Lastly, please regard doctors as your trusted health advisors.
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